tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66296028659332017712024-03-02T02:36:58.759-05:00Blue Jay BarrensSteve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.comBlogger1390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-43263905803907395162022-05-03T11:55:00.012-04:002022-05-03T12:00:20.760-04:00Lone Star Ticks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5ZSck_WNl4idrZjBqN-pancsK1OyvXIeofrVnHbGGJ30zLcv9KgpoRuZDNsBKuakLzr7A4vQBrCjNVt5rrf3NR-W_SxAynDgZi_rH-QbIELAJWy9pl6eGwkVa6gq2EfzWIC8VbFE_eXfsqsJFYaAlB-_akH-207qYKVbM8L8OcXoqVTVGtELzM40/s751/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="751" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5ZSck_WNl4idrZjBqN-pancsK1OyvXIeofrVnHbGGJ30zLcv9KgpoRuZDNsBKuakLzr7A4vQBrCjNVt5rrf3NR-W_SxAynDgZi_rH-QbIELAJWy9pl6eGwkVa6gq2EfzWIC8VbFE_eXfsqsJFYaAlB-_akH-207qYKVbM8L8OcXoqVTVGtELzM40/w400-h299/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Twelve years ago a new animal was added to the Blue Jay Barrens
list. The Lone Star Tick, <i>Amblyomma americanum</i>, was a species I had read about, but had never before
encountered. Shown above is a female of the species positioned on the edge of a
leaf with forelegs extended, ready to snag a ride on anything that passes by.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesmAX73WCuZ89SXJ9gRd32UaHFGB2GYgtERbmAHNeMN5IH_LBNmmQKflc2aC2a2_Wz8iWUjn4fc-ToFPkYU5gkPOQQbV6n04IN-6LbkXosh-j3p17q15kneharb-AwH_RTwNj--Usx9jpqMOXBvH1RCrTY77qKUFUH_nxAA6Q2k0hbaBKnU5S2akl/s1236/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1236" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesmAX73WCuZ89SXJ9gRd32UaHFGB2GYgtERbmAHNeMN5IH_LBNmmQKflc2aC2a2_Wz8iWUjn4fc-ToFPkYU5gkPOQQbV6n04IN-6LbkXosh-j3p17q15kneharb-AwH_RTwNj--Usx9jpqMOXBvH1RCrTY77qKUFUH_nxAA6Q2k0hbaBKnU5S2akl/w400-h301/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Unlike the Wood Tick, which I’d been dealing with for
decades, the Lone Star Tick proved to be highly aggressive and quick to bite.
This male Lone Star Tick began attaching itself to the palm of my hand after
only a few seconds. These ticks don’t waste time searching out a protected area
for their attachment. Fortunately, I’m highly sensitive to the bite of the Lone
Star Tick, feeling a sensation like a highly potent sweat bee sting, so I can
find a remove the tick almost immediately.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeR-R3weHuxO1l3IO1528_zol7NxDDQJkxU6G0yDE7TB3ABD1fhkavhDc6J6aj5v2I1o5PctxFN-B4Gtp6LDrHYd7nXfp7NPNoKNr9H_gYo2CULHF43nfzcaz80FR7MVMW95h9m3Z5d92IY4OstgXxgUDRsZnF6rbAM8wXD4f7J8PXqSKQb_lF_hM/s3648/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeR-R3weHuxO1l3IO1528_zol7NxDDQJkxU6G0yDE7TB3ABD1fhkavhDc6J6aj5v2I1o5PctxFN-B4Gtp6LDrHYd7nXfp7NPNoKNr9H_gYo2CULHF43nfzcaz80FR7MVMW95h9m3Z5d92IY4OstgXxgUDRsZnF6rbAM8wXD4f7J8PXqSKQb_lF_hM/w400-h300/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It’s not just the adult Lone Star Ticks that seek out a
human blood meal. All developmental stages from newly hatched to adult find
humans to be a satisfactory host. The young ticks are so tiny they are almost
impossible to see on the skin. In the photo above, there are over a dozen newly
hatched ticks attached to my hand. I carry a small bottle of Purell hand
sanitizer with me in the field to deal with these attacks of tiny ticks. The
alcohol in Purell kills ticks of this size almost instantly. Most of the dead bodies
can be wiped off of the skin, but there are always a few that are attached
strongly enough that it takes a scrape of a fingernail to dislodge them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEy9ZGvRYzbluVhWHkMu7WbLUyoVIiE0-LBxT9ZulQLJJBpG6RhiF1Ve7CsC4-WkzGrMfb7PsqiIWHDhMunTGLRNZjTIGN9X_i3EShWAKzjfvWbTGLiYzKsKE7v58hsLLFUVv4Tdr_DbeailpYlvr1y0N636blpXKEg5hFGhCZvFx49L_CnsgZlJY/s2950/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2210" data-original-width="2950" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEy9ZGvRYzbluVhWHkMu7WbLUyoVIiE0-LBxT9ZulQLJJBpG6RhiF1Ve7CsC4-WkzGrMfb7PsqiIWHDhMunTGLRNZjTIGN9X_i3EShWAKzjfvWbTGLiYzKsKE7v58hsLLFUVv4Tdr_DbeailpYlvr1y0N636blpXKEg5hFGhCZvFx49L_CnsgZlJY/w400-h300/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Female Lone Star Ticks tend to place their egg clusters at
the base of plant stalks. Upon hatching, the youngsters scamper up the stalk
and wait for a likely creature to pass by. These clusters of young ticks tend
to strike my leg just above the knee and quickly grab onto my pants. From here
the young would begin searching out some bare skin to which they could attach, but
these particular individuals are now dead. My standard attire when working in
tick infested areas consists of socks, long pants, longsleeved shirt, and hat,
all permethrin treated. This is a highly effective deterrent to Lone Star Ticks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtetXkDlNaczgYDWeyI1ZKxYAoaPijr4kRFTsO4SY67P9mtioT0ZQplD0idxevVelV8PNZFpdtnQLb8Uo4TV_YKZWBwEe0gpyhuPvLNv5hyrdVomhCY_aDptKR9MdnCk0FZNLTNVHnD8AHFsIAA5VGR0ACR3nkwCaKSjD5Z5z5BC13b0Ou7o95zbi/s3648/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtetXkDlNaczgYDWeyI1ZKxYAoaPijr4kRFTsO4SY67P9mtioT0ZQplD0idxevVelV8PNZFpdtnQLb8Uo4TV_YKZWBwEe0gpyhuPvLNv5hyrdVomhCY_aDptKR9MdnCk0FZNLTNVHnD8AHFsIAA5VGR0ACR3nkwCaKSjD5Z5z5BC13b0Ou7o95zbi/w400-h300/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">A standard penny for scale illustrates the diminutive size
of the hatchlings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWTl-jMZDrXEkSxoXC-YUJWH-KAX9YJGsARtOh_OgziaUCxfOQ0v-_dXkyj8A-rGNg1H-kXxvPf38Gyz6HoGiOnZdFZ7vq_pMyFFNnVPAJA2mQTbmMR-Lf_gT7nAOotP5zywFW5WC0xoP9FZp48Ei5IyBjgQL2LLkENghjP0UjIveMRq401uW7rbO/s699/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="699" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWTl-jMZDrXEkSxoXC-YUJWH-KAX9YJGsARtOh_OgziaUCxfOQ0v-_dXkyj8A-rGNg1H-kXxvPf38Gyz6HoGiOnZdFZ7vq_pMyFFNnVPAJA2mQTbmMR-Lf_gT7nAOotP5zywFW5WC0xoP9FZp48Ei5IyBjgQL2LLkENghjP0UjIveMRq401uW7rbO/w400-h301/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The newly hatched tick has only six legs and is referred to
as a larva. The future stages of growth are called nymphs until the final adult
stage is reached. The Lone Star Ticks are fascinating animals, but I wish they
weren’t so frequently available for study.<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-41914883963854791872021-04-29T15:05:00.000-04:002021-04-29T15:05:06.475-04:00Deer in the Toad Pool<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG50cu_RESe2Og-jeOYoIjnAVjCJa3-49SkM4RGy3UBQArA6JGZA7JkXzXKg2fmVhzLsMyMuRZJ90HrYiOz4NYYrkGsmi_mIDOUKMcHUaOfgFc96VrC1_L0n316ISa_RsN_GISlUhYic/s2048/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG50cu_RESe2Og-jeOYoIjnAVjCJa3-49SkM4RGy3UBQArA6JGZA7JkXzXKg2fmVhzLsMyMuRZJ90HrYiOz4NYYrkGsmi_mIDOUKMcHUaOfgFc96VrC1_L0n316ISa_RsN_GISlUhYic/w400-h300/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">These two small pools were constructed in an attempt to
encourage toad production at Blue Jay Barrens.
The pool in the foreground is in its eighth year and the one behind was
constructed five years ago. Utilization
of the pools by breeding Eastern Toads has increased each year. Thousands of small toads have morphed from
these pools to inhabit the surrounding area.
The temporary pools lose their water by midsummer and remain dry for
several months. Aquatic predators that
would feast on the small tadpoles do not become established. Click <a href="https://bluejaybarrens.blogspot.com/search/label/Toad%20Pool" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more on pool construction.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bkrXW3jkIAhRt73T0TgwC7zF-SE_81FtIZheiRXnueZxsg_vDUmObWSgIF7njTAahjP-YsdoTyEmRBDiYSlVtMiLm8eV9uPmdQjF0QflkWoscRoiNsonfZAhbJGAck7YErMb18da8BE/s2048/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bkrXW3jkIAhRt73T0TgwC7zF-SE_81FtIZheiRXnueZxsg_vDUmObWSgIF7njTAahjP-YsdoTyEmRBDiYSlVtMiLm8eV9uPmdQjF0QflkWoscRoiNsonfZAhbJGAck7YErMb18da8BE/w400-h300/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">A multitude of other wildlife species regularly visit these
pools. Indentations in the pool bottom
are made by Whitetail Deer that come to drink.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRZilDr2eLUr7lgV2a9-OVEUG4xniokg_kPSAyV7g0VJXBCMAadc9o9sAdFL_OyShyNhSjmSZ_FZ0EVUf1vHsGEZE8x1IX1MockMZFNH-YtkNR-QbfIIBYdbLyDxBtlwTby2k2egiXT8/s2048/a3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRZilDr2eLUr7lgV2a9-OVEUG4xniokg_kPSAyV7g0VJXBCMAadc9o9sAdFL_OyShyNhSjmSZ_FZ0EVUf1vHsGEZE8x1IX1MockMZFNH-YtkNR-QbfIIBYdbLyDxBtlwTby2k2egiXT8/w400-h300/a3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Heavy rains don’t cause the pool water to become cloudy with
sediment, so what makes the water occasionally look like this. Even when the weather has been rain free for
several days, the water can suddenly take on the appearance of creamed
coffee. In an effort to discover what
was happening, I installed a motion activated wildlife camera set to observe
both pools.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQljNdBJuu-FtPCnrwL0zJgVLOvn8fiS2gl-2eOIREZAryE3LI0DGzsGjR6EWPX_zlkfzq5G2ewpak2Fq5SXNZSe7GimkoUNt06xRp8alwI7vJLJgLwDB50vbzHgWT48xvm_rOwQCJApU/s2048/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQljNdBJuu-FtPCnrwL0zJgVLOvn8fiS2gl-2eOIREZAryE3LI0DGzsGjR6EWPX_zlkfzq5G2ewpak2Fq5SXNZSe7GimkoUNt06xRp8alwI7vJLJgLwDB50vbzHgWT48xvm_rOwQCJApU/w400-h300/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I discovered that deer visits were the cause of the muddy
water.<o:p></o:p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4IKYNmiET5RmHkxZIgPgFemmgHbcLF_Moc20etVGHrW5J6zhnBsygElJxAAYkmbqMMw7y0FHZrHKXtXCHmg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal">This compilation video shows the deer in action. I don’t know how to explain their behavior. This doesn’t happen every day, but it’s not
uncommon to see it occur several times each month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLky6TVR6m6Q4sgtfCubuGylVURQssl41MzJ4v1FwWOsZLnX0SkGj-9HSkMH5XAwm57_cgqf-C5tt4ODY9OynvWBrAwYoQ4R9PhFVoHzV6mH2lIm_AT4pbXYYUTEOhd-E_yfstyy2LXAM/s2048/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLky6TVR6m6Q4sgtfCubuGylVURQssl41MzJ4v1FwWOsZLnX0SkGj-9HSkMH5XAwm57_cgqf-C5tt4ODY9OynvWBrAwYoQ4R9PhFVoHzV6mH2lIm_AT4pbXYYUTEOhd-E_yfstyy2LXAM/w400-h300/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Other than developing a coating of silt on the egg strings,
the toad eggs are relatively unaffected by the erratic deer activity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcl5TRFeLgmod2hwCu6onu47BC9vPqK-ADDHeYyeNu7L2-Kky8zEKdq0zMoFptON05S040TVMtjmmYvJeTXLi7NeZevitY8iQU7QG4WcLTpuMPgmeDsZoPzv8efuQ7Osiq45W_EYdZHM/s2048/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcl5TRFeLgmod2hwCu6onu47BC9vPqK-ADDHeYyeNu7L2-Kky8zEKdq0zMoFptON05S040TVMtjmmYvJeTXLi7NeZevitY8iQU7QG4WcLTpuMPgmeDsZoPzv8efuQ7Osiq45W_EYdZHM/w400-h300/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The eggs have hatched and toadpoles are developing
normally. I’m expecting another successful
influx of young toads into the local population.</p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-20123608885393009762021-02-21T12:08:00.001-05:002021-02-21T16:59:06.865-05:00Harvester Ants<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYnJvE1BHzbqzWSv2vhR9WpZkP1S6D418aACfFbNYDybtUR6dON1_QIW1eG81n1TBeFhRUuehdrHZLp4SPZpqdvQzFjyvr65uWjbuX5Ljg5wvj_o1uyktnubE99WaZEcEvc-cEExHmAw/s1058/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1058" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYnJvE1BHzbqzWSv2vhR9WpZkP1S6D418aACfFbNYDybtUR6dON1_QIW1eG81n1TBeFhRUuehdrHZLp4SPZpqdvQzFjyvr65uWjbuX5Ljg5wvj_o1uyktnubE99WaZEcEvc-cEExHmAw/w400-h300/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">In late October I came across an industrious group of
Harvester Ants. These ants of the genus
Pheidole exhibit dimorphism, having two different sizes of workers; a smaller
size dedicated to food gathering and general nest chores along with a larger
version that uses its extremely large head in defense of the colony. They are
primarily seed gatherers and were busy moving spent flowers into their nest. I assume there were some edible seeds
included with the flowers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjmzg_FLSVR95C8wDvmG5nW2waGRF9-ga7IY-FdEP38vdHg8kXHGzAc4ZRBeKnjodi6QCeRk1ZRXe-DVFT1uCwGpAycGr6mI0zjx4hsH2ashJTOFqwFTqP0qs1j4ENnmyXFaQ6w4TV8k/s1093/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1093" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjmzg_FLSVR95C8wDvmG5nW2waGRF9-ga7IY-FdEP38vdHg8kXHGzAc4ZRBeKnjodi6QCeRk1ZRXe-DVFT1uCwGpAycGr6mI0zjx4hsH2ashJTOFqwFTqP0qs1j4ENnmyXFaQ6w4TV8k/w400-h300/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The ants had located their nest in a shallow mound of bare
soil. The plants in the upper right of
the photo are <i>Draba cuneifolia</i>, a rare winter annual. I’ll be checking this plant population later
in the year, so I’ll take some time then to see if I can identify these ants to
species.<o:p></o:p></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzH0fgKy41wFL0a_8CJP2jb2M8spIghiWQQNH2xm3TL921cMBkPUDgQtZ2aYNGvP_ZSTBllMxnsFTZWHvajmw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal">As usual, I was behind on the amount of work I had hoped to
accomplish for the day, so I only took the time to get a couple of still shots
and a short video. The huge headed
individuals seemed to be constantly on the move. My presence may have disturbed their normal
behavior, but I didn’t notice them until I was almost on top of the nest, so I
don’t know what they were up to a few seconds earlier.<o:p></o:p></p><p></p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-10078232950998104912020-12-13T22:02:00.001-05:002020-12-13T22:02:25.375-05:00Yucca Removal Success<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzYCgxM5Eb7j8UFVm9tdAPoyLPH7ieNX6SJw3ZNwKxfbKk4qbbPkZjT938qvXz8yf7WaAsDZQPZqfn8ZUx6yxJorsCwxTHodXcQ2xOwfNNkvtbvp_87EIK8kYWNUFEc_qRgjC8flnctM/s2048/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzYCgxM5Eb7j8UFVm9tdAPoyLPH7ieNX6SJw3ZNwKxfbKk4qbbPkZjT938qvXz8yf7WaAsDZQPZqfn8ZUx6yxJorsCwxTHodXcQ2xOwfNNkvtbvp_87EIK8kYWNUFEc_qRgjC8flnctM/w400-h300/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I took a little time to evaluate the success of my earlier
efforts to eradicate Yucca from my fields.
Dead stumps where I had cut the stem and applied glyphosate to the
exposed tissue. This photo was taken in
October, about six months after herbicide applications were made. In most cases, there seemed to be a total
kill of Yucca plants.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGVe8OtmlmI4iYbL3J52CcE1K6kmxFqa62d3IiIhrvk_-4nrcPUCUJx30u-QnvJvq-vQz44oBL4KvFzCb3r7I_18IYGbXDbqNRrGqzY7JeDU1AvmteFKXhc0ynwKrrLSbiuUNDvFgvbk/s2048/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGVe8OtmlmI4iYbL3J52CcE1K6kmxFqa62d3IiIhrvk_-4nrcPUCUJx30u-QnvJvq-vQz44oBL4KvFzCb3r7I_18IYGbXDbqNRrGqzY7JeDU1AvmteFKXhc0ynwKrrLSbiuUNDvFgvbk/w400-h300/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">In a very few cases, there was some regrowth, but regrowth
was not the normal situation. It won’t
take a lot of effort to go through to cut and spray the young shoots. For the next few years an annual check will
have to be made to find new plants growing from seed. New plants will be a possibility for quite
some time, but it should be fairly easy to keep the area practically Yucca
free.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQnhmaK1yiStzGk7wXTpVpUnFs930s-zLP8iVrGVpEhnwbY71DeDm5KqS8PSe_gGxUicn0VkYUMC2PMpeWX8dXLiWn5vP6u2mKZCcRGyBnlm9-xvVYlOHBhqro9H93wVwuDUI7b0M-_4/s2048/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQnhmaK1yiStzGk7wXTpVpUnFs930s-zLP8iVrGVpEhnwbY71DeDm5KqS8PSe_gGxUicn0VkYUMC2PMpeWX8dXLiWn5vP6u2mKZCcRGyBnlm9-xvVYlOHBhqro9H93wVwuDUI7b0M-_4/w400-h300/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I only had time to cover about two-thirds of the Yucca
infected area before I had to move on to higher priority management
activities. I finished my work in the
open field and then began working my way down a cedar filled waterway. This is where I stopped and this is where I
will begin next March. Weather
permitting, I will have eliminated Yucca from the area by next April 1.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjmZH5VxGCw1w3lV_E7h9hXVe92ldd6KnH34RX4fJDwNocORLwWi3KG4NH_xSJiVeJurRrK9VJsW9JE7uvJ2pKV5iyUEHrFlD52Z2aB3Necu_zF-xrbUkSqHLsIfIOB8tRa9lX6NWP-U/s2048/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjmZH5VxGCw1w3lV_E7h9hXVe92ldd6KnH34RX4fJDwNocORLwWi3KG4NH_xSJiVeJurRrK9VJsW9JE7uvJ2pKV5iyUEHrFlD52Z2aB3Necu_zF-xrbUkSqHLsIfIOB8tRa9lX6NWP-U/w400-h300/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">One thing I hadn’t expected was the ability of the cut
plants to continue growing. This is what
my plant pile looked like after six months.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRqN1DUTv-sEzpQOXD01-VBEFe7vVKlwgDsPxjlUBX_iv9rxJzTOMRLTS8YvB4h4QG2exLhw3ZKbBXwjMBrAl73qS1ZeaQXajIiN3vxw99r1noVlt3iiZ12izhg89bsdl5WN2JUYHQE8/s2048/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRqN1DUTv-sEzpQOXD01-VBEFe7vVKlwgDsPxjlUBX_iv9rxJzTOMRLTS8YvB4h4QG2exLhw3ZKbBXwjMBrAl73qS1ZeaQXajIiN3vxw99r1noVlt3iiZ12izhg89bsdl5WN2JUYHQE8/w400-h300/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The Whitetail Deer treat it as a salad bar. I never saw this much deer browse on the
Yucca in the field. Young Yucca shoots
must be more palatable to the deer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEptSw-0G5iIl6Tg9XONJlvZQRw_XHDf3RD46-I5Wt_4MEncFvY6xxXaw1J7ZhwPlJ3966MkTm8vrPYrRc7LQR7H1z3JEVbDVjhN5A4ZgUcbtHAyz6l4qJREOuyWgeEw-8eEd7xV8tkTA/s2048/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEptSw-0G5iIl6Tg9XONJlvZQRw_XHDf3RD46-I5Wt_4MEncFvY6xxXaw1J7ZhwPlJ3966MkTm8vrPYrRc7LQR7H1z3JEVbDVjhN5A4ZgUcbtHAyz6l4qJREOuyWgeEw-8eEd7xV8tkTA/w400-h300/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Pulling a shoot out of the pile reveals white roots growing
from the cut stem. This illustrates a
good reason for removing the cut plants from the field as they are
treated. The Yucca may flourish in the
pile for a couple of years, but I am always adding to these piles, so the
plants will eventually be covered and smothered by other plant material.<o:p></o:p></p> <p></p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-53192678331836593112020-11-26T09:30:00.001-05:002020-11-26T09:46:24.011-05:00Interesting Items Found While Working on Fall Projects<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzPdEYiCb1GOrs29RhHNsYNWo_GkjcNTUw8CBqNdqrzRXTTuyrVqCDRQsYz-bl806XTnqwjQgk3nTfucvJ8TgeVSzJ5KTqhK2qWyiuPf3LuSpWugKL3-bPDWqeZ70YgmEeA513eazyGs/s2048/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzPdEYiCb1GOrs29RhHNsYNWo_GkjcNTUw8CBqNdqrzRXTTuyrVqCDRQsYz-bl806XTnqwjQgk3nTfucvJ8TgeVSzJ5KTqhK2qWyiuPf3LuSpWugKL3-bPDWqeZ70YgmEeA513eazyGs/w400-h300/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">When actively engaged in management tasks, I’m unlikely to
stop to take photos. Completing the
activity of the day is usually considered a higher priority than documenting
what I do or see. However, at times when
there are natural breaks in the work, I’m quite likely to pull my little Canon
G11 from its belt holster and capture some of the interesting items that catch
my eye. Most of the photos illustrate
changes that have occurred as a result of my land management activities over
the last few decades. The Little Ladies-tresses,
<i>Spiranthes ovalis</i>, is a good example.
This uncommon orchid was represented at Blue Jay Barrens by only a few
individuals 30 years ago. It is now seen
commonly across dozens of acres each fall.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cikjn513ejxaGgjbVV1sHaZFDXOGCml4ogv2q9gkZBtlKRvvNMQn1FDB9GLQbY36lumWl8Zej7J6_y5MWLAOW_g_-hk_FbPp1tycodHUkn0pZ5ylVjQ1hzaQp90BY7eSWHmg1iRcUX4/s2048/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cikjn513ejxaGgjbVV1sHaZFDXOGCml4ogv2q9gkZBtlKRvvNMQn1FDB9GLQbY36lumWl8Zej7J6_y5MWLAOW_g_-hk_FbPp1tycodHUkn0pZ5ylVjQ1hzaQp90BY7eSWHmg1iRcUX4/w400-h300/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">One of my favorite plants, Indian Pipe, <i>Monotropa uniflora</i>,
was in abundance this year. These plants
are parasites on fungi and have no chlorophyll.
The new stalks are bright white and almost appear self-illuminated
against the background of forest floor leaves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQRn1F2h2PQt7b7yuNfVLCAQoQEMMgEbnUEu3apOgrEEtEJKCafIDae-AlKQHoOET_bFGH3AdcThHglAY_zZFR_y16Ek_Uaev9DCStF3rtnDQJaQ9ScsgPstHQOP5okk0rAkc3yIcb7w/s2048/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQRn1F2h2PQt7b7yuNfVLCAQoQEMMgEbnUEu3apOgrEEtEJKCafIDae-AlKQHoOET_bFGH3AdcThHglAY_zZFR_y16Ek_Uaev9DCStF3rtnDQJaQ9ScsgPstHQOP5okk0rAkc3yIcb7w/w400-h300/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Carolina Buckthorn was once listed as a potentially
threatened species in Ohio. Being a
species of the South-eastern United States, its range just reaches into the
southern counties of Ohio. In 1990 Blue
Jay Barrens supported just two small populations of this species, with one of
those populations consisting of a single individual. With the removal of non-native invasive
shrubs, Carolina Buckthorn seedlings had a chance to become established and
flourish. Mature fruit bearing
individuals are now common and seedlings are coming up everywhere.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx7Vz4k9vUQG0ujYQ_xK39_k1WLoVF8B3WJdP5WYCVQ7-Y8YIiCcCq-YpihIzc0OoGqsVtZnY8zCXkfNNbN0owk8F_NH9IOEidQPFqbXV9MPJIEaKiwpsL6n8oNCcoAUjasxoceDZGmA/s4000/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx7Vz4k9vUQG0ujYQ_xK39_k1WLoVF8B3WJdP5WYCVQ7-Y8YIiCcCq-YpihIzc0OoGqsVtZnY8zCXkfNNbN0owk8F_NH9IOEidQPFqbXV9MPJIEaKiwpsL6n8oNCcoAUjasxoceDZGmA/w400-h300/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Flowering Dogwood was eliminated from the Blue Jay Barrens
woodlands when Dogwood Anthracnose decimated the population in the early 1990’s. A few small specimens survived in the open
fields and have been producing fruit and seed for many years now. Mature dogwoods are finally beginning to
recolonize the woodland. The red and
orange of their autumn leaves is hard to miss.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7h2R8IycgsSXkkpvTaWFL6WtAcKsBqDhCBSiHpRqrtlDMvC20E2X6QzaybeVBAd3jdHbtCXe-asu3OK85V2rP1JFWOxdSwlHkDOnubRDy7UHEtVVYqm3tbFqeIqg1gySmjDgLguncWo/s4000/7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7h2R8IycgsSXkkpvTaWFL6WtAcKsBqDhCBSiHpRqrtlDMvC20E2X6QzaybeVBAd3jdHbtCXe-asu3OK85V2rP1JFWOxdSwlHkDOnubRDy7UHEtVVYqm3tbFqeIqg1gySmjDgLguncWo/w400-h300/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I’m unsure of the seed source, but young American Beech are
becoming more common in the woods. I’m
happy to see this occurring since one of the historic hardwood mixes in this
area was the Beech-Maple forest. There
is no shortage of Sugar Maple here and it would be nice to see a few mature
Beech mixed in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtozCG_LSob5JK56mFWEyFDnQHUBdX3QmbAk_Bl_rL0cKzkaA4haekoLKV0ocODdeEy3s3RZQy9tVmq7IvdaNVHsyX6ruwRTKQ_Pv1CAiTstrFY0-JagbaYusmSVhsvxE82OMFivOs3U/s2667/8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2667" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtozCG_LSob5JK56mFWEyFDnQHUBdX3QmbAk_Bl_rL0cKzkaA4haekoLKV0ocODdeEy3s3RZQy9tVmq7IvdaNVHsyX6ruwRTKQ_Pv1CAiTstrFY0-JagbaYusmSVhsvxE82OMFivOs3U/w400-h300/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Partridge Berry is another species that has expanded its number
greatly in the past few decades.
Historic grazing of cattle in the woodlands is one probable cause of
this plant’s early rarity. The absence
of cattle during the past 35 years has resulted in much improved woodland soil
conditions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd0GUfr0PKf_oVy8hcO1iYDdeX75E0BL3wD7rlbA5VCAbZapdEtLgpy6W6i7nKlx2jqad-qPrSUsjAjvjEkXrE9ZoSyRMuR3ahJcZz1Ir3Utkc-eY1wsi6u-GJKEDyNGFF6WOT9tbCpY/s2048/9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd0GUfr0PKf_oVy8hcO1iYDdeX75E0BL3wD7rlbA5VCAbZapdEtLgpy6W6i7nKlx2jqad-qPrSUsjAjvjEkXrE9ZoSyRMuR3ahJcZz1Ir3Utkc-eY1wsi6u-GJKEDyNGFF6WOT9tbCpY/w400-h300/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Fungi of many species were apparent this year. One of the most noticeable was this Orange
Fungus, <i>Mycena leaiana</i>. The orange fruiting bodies emerging from
fallen logs rivaled the fluorescent blaze of the brightest hunting jacket.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiDJFkH2z5LzpE066KnNUjpiVyM-2Jcj629r-QbuGF9EDYq4s_nkcZZ6OPLP-RbBPAf51kBYm4MhCGzDLkB8BtXgQh1XzM72otkQKeMVdD3J33SXoVn0mplkgGUuGnte4lIaQt8RSeRc/s2048/10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiDJFkH2z5LzpE066KnNUjpiVyM-2Jcj629r-QbuGF9EDYq4s_nkcZZ6OPLP-RbBPAf51kBYm4MhCGzDLkB8BtXgQh1XzM72otkQKeMVdD3J33SXoVn0mplkgGUuGnte4lIaQt8RSeRc/w400-h300/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Above average rainfall coupled with a forest of dead ash
trees results in an abundance of fungi.
I believe this to be a polypore known as Dryad’s Saddle.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6hyN1qDI-P0XGHct20YpHEdHvV7cpCXLU0e4V61VHckxErJ2OI6wmigD4wbl7X6nHxTEhn91rQ-na9YjqqpPiBBfvL_DuHlETKG8Ssyj7zz_BKSRpOv9ClLe6w4cyvVEtgUym8rLHS8/s2048/11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6hyN1qDI-P0XGHct20YpHEdHvV7cpCXLU0e4V61VHckxErJ2OI6wmigD4wbl7X6nHxTEhn91rQ-na9YjqqpPiBBfvL_DuHlETKG8Ssyj7zz_BKSRpOv9ClLe6w4cyvVEtgUym8rLHS8/w400-h300/11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I must have appeared as though I was ready to collapse,
because a large mixed flock of Turkey and Black Vultures moved in and began
circling directly above me. It was early
morning, so the most likely explanation for the gathering was the development
of a thermal current allowing the birds to ride the rising warm air to higher
altitudes. These thermals are common in
areas where the rising sun warms bare southeast facing hillsides. I’ve been known to generate a lot of body
heat while working, but I doubt that it’s enough to change the atmospheric
conditions above me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RR7S63hnIZldJwjm1wDh7wyfcNFguMp_Q98Jc5fU-MgYDlbboAt4HVDnRYkC1kzpEt58wARMpmeYSuJ1nK_0kVwy3_RhKmQhyphenhyphenCexhsB7QKQQVyIffueQTPX30yFXQhHoiTnSdOs103o/s2048/12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RR7S63hnIZldJwjm1wDh7wyfcNFguMp_Q98Jc5fU-MgYDlbboAt4HVDnRYkC1kzpEt58wARMpmeYSuJ1nK_0kVwy3_RhKmQhyphenhyphenCexhsB7QKQQVyIffueQTPX30yFXQhHoiTnSdOs103o/w400-h300/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Except for the early spring breeding congregations, Wood
Frogs are seldom seen. I’ve seen several
during the past couple of months, possibly due to the uncommonly frequent rains
during that time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoL3nxi_q8EEyd6HfdEL0VdVhq-vOTYBDC4OBeyM0CrykNqQ7XKn1dmVjCtVukDCiLSNsdLJYP0hhtbaSORrNwaI_3LnqJoJ34UM5WZCEfNC00-ot1MQzVShN2tvVxlRcC5jlpMSBJe8/s1448/13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoL3nxi_q8EEyd6HfdEL0VdVhq-vOTYBDC4OBeyM0CrykNqQ7XKn1dmVjCtVukDCiLSNsdLJYP0hhtbaSORrNwaI_3LnqJoJ34UM5WZCEfNC00-ot1MQzVShN2tvVxlRcC5jlpMSBJe8/w400-h300/13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Spring Peepers have also been conspicuous this fall. It’s not uncommon to hear a peeper or two
calling on the first few cool days of autumn.
This year has been no exception.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAZrIUg7F2lTaHgAcPWgTGA5zuwDBLqaTA8jIX6jebPGYd_EXpxqzdWKNyZPLdTsmL8-I0J_qReQhcasHmViAXMiSB6LgtGKNDx-Bv9xADWkLvA10rCkKbjdbXh4kGfON6mGt7NZRpY0/s2048/14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAZrIUg7F2lTaHgAcPWgTGA5zuwDBLqaTA8jIX6jebPGYd_EXpxqzdWKNyZPLdTsmL8-I0J_qReQhcasHmViAXMiSB6LgtGKNDx-Bv9xADWkLvA10rCkKbjdbXh4kGfON6mGt7NZRpY0/w400-h300/14.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The Giant Cranefly, <i>Tipula abdominalis</i>, is an impressive
insect. The larvae of this species live
in upland streams where they feed on decomposing leaves. Adults are typically found in woodlands, not
far from the streams in which they once lived.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2diV7j6y1Hr4-ifG3pW03-eRDiytLLNEvwoZ3caYMQmJQHIADe05JM2Uy9z__5rTujpIt8LZeF4tIhf4pxPHN00s3jE_y-2Pep1oQiiQZXP4alOEwEWHSslmFtEuyuivbSAZdcq-2Ciw/s1353/15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1353" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2diV7j6y1Hr4-ifG3pW03-eRDiytLLNEvwoZ3caYMQmJQHIADe05JM2Uy9z__5rTujpIt8LZeF4tIhf4pxPHN00s3jE_y-2Pep1oQiiQZXP4alOEwEWHSslmFtEuyuivbSAZdcq-2Ciw/w400-h301/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Jumping Bristletails are often referred to as prehistoric
insects because they have remained relatively unchanged since their emergence
approximately 390 million years ago. My
early elementary school days were filled with plans to become a paleontologist,
so anything that may have walked with the dinosaurs still draws my attention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4erEXStw2AuJRFeE5y9uipX0Ck742BZet6s2cLUnlzvXDi_WkgtUD7KLZQRydQSvaUEV-H3tMo6ImHSKkbB9475g2kDDSTlw80EjGZxNRIEx4X2V4H7PjIfhtzO1gB7V2zkK00leEwE/s2048/16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4erEXStw2AuJRFeE5y9uipX0Ck742BZet6s2cLUnlzvXDi_WkgtUD7KLZQRydQSvaUEV-H3tMo6ImHSKkbB9475g2kDDSTlw80EjGZxNRIEx4X2V4H7PjIfhtzO1gB7V2zkK00leEwE/w400-h300/16.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Wooly Bears are the larva form of the Isabella Tiger
Moth. In my lifetime I’ve seen thousands
of these caterpillars on the ground, in a hurry to get from one place to
another. This photo documents the first
time I have ever seen a member of this species feeding. In this case the caterpillar is feeding on
the upper leaves of a Tall Boneset plant.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNPMrA_LkXbKq2kv-nlVgyNxYo6-JJ28L_x6-t6Sjc6L8cn52r1D_QTC0VO8BnkslAZHt5_IrcryYBwEeI7j2F6EjP50PAz0Njemu2UIkZvxcZ4CBVe-FzafKgzH0T7G7AxkBw5-Hsd8/s1418/17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1418" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNPMrA_LkXbKq2kv-nlVgyNxYo6-JJ28L_x6-t6Sjc6L8cn52r1D_QTC0VO8BnkslAZHt5_IrcryYBwEeI7j2F6EjP50PAz0Njemu2UIkZvxcZ4CBVe-FzafKgzH0T7G7AxkBw5-Hsd8/w400-h301/17.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">This is a female Carolina Leafroller Cricket. These insects are generally considered common,
but seldom seen creatures. Part of the
reason is their nocturnal habit, meaning that their active period is at
night. The rest of the reason is their method
of hiding during the day. As suggested
by the name, the Carolina Leafroller Cricket spends its day rolled up in a
leaf, making it extremely hard to find. This
individual seems to have been slowed down by an unusually cold night, and is
warming itself in the first of the morning sunlight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgFkffR8gTTeBFoA2sVvUNnDvn7my27bp4towagrr00cvXDqOAgoVxlX4YHQBwboIpnNhCXIff3Uzk9SsBSJSJSsXvLtOUcB2T-PrsKKPK2dXzxK0GRADzkVmESU1XShL8KT1cSF1ab4/s1031/18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1031" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgFkffR8gTTeBFoA2sVvUNnDvn7my27bp4towagrr00cvXDqOAgoVxlX4YHQBwboIpnNhCXIff3Uzk9SsBSJSJSsXvLtOUcB2T-PrsKKPK2dXzxK0GRADzkVmESU1XShL8KT1cSF1ab4/w400-h301/18.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The tiny Pygmy Grasshopper is liable to show up anywhere at
Blue Jay Barrens. An adult specimen may
grow to be as much as half an inch in length.
I don’t know that I would ever be successful at finding one by searching,
but chance provides many encounters each year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fMEkc9GXLqRLbOxHWZ2RAzadoUAus3e47szmTErlDD1W2qQPsPYuz_7GwUZB4zCMNzEUMWj-lvkXkU0ouHsPcFPOMmnecdNhVj6RkTnFvpui2Y-y2uLxNU2g5F6T_MYGuDy_bUXrC30/s1233/19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1233" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fMEkc9GXLqRLbOxHWZ2RAzadoUAus3e47szmTErlDD1W2qQPsPYuz_7GwUZB4zCMNzEUMWj-lvkXkU0ouHsPcFPOMmnecdNhVj6RkTnFvpui2Y-y2uLxNU2g5F6T_MYGuDy_bUXrC30/w400-h301/19.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I regularly see Northern Fence Lizards, but I don’t always
get out the camera during such encounters.
This time I noticed a fly on the leaf in front of the lizard’s
head. Thinking I had a chance of capturing
an image of the lizard at the moment it captured the fly, I got my camera
ready. Unfortunately, things didn’t work
out as imagined.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dSXm13tgjZ8D-Or8tKJaR3tg75LiJxefelNir6T6xwr8kiAVUNKxnxtrAsAg9Pp6tRUIPsMZ-RNlHoQf84k6WArg9G_LlbNYa7yehaLGUQNb0V5bVo0wZivm1q_SGBD_eUV6jhEqZJY/s611/20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="611" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dSXm13tgjZ8D-Or8tKJaR3tg75LiJxefelNir6T6xwr8kiAVUNKxnxtrAsAg9Pp6tRUIPsMZ-RNlHoQf84k6WArg9G_LlbNYa7yehaLGUQNb0V5bVo0wZivm1q_SGBD_eUV6jhEqZJY/w400-h304/20.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The fly flew and the lizard gave me what seems very much
like an accusing look.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirA5z1ReDHMNILUC1obROjZfCGD44dK9dzxqiZUoHPwXXmsh7ieYkubB0nvoAsWEabK7jWKjyOWBDmHDtmbu2hEAkhqNb-iPX_Ro6ENsvSTfS_SvArWh1SEgH1rm3MALuwKbzhm4E-ls/s4000/21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirA5z1ReDHMNILUC1obROjZfCGD44dK9dzxqiZUoHPwXXmsh7ieYkubB0nvoAsWEabK7jWKjyOWBDmHDtmbu2hEAkhqNb-iPX_Ro6ENsvSTfS_SvArWh1SEgH1rm3MALuwKbzhm4E-ls/w400-h300/21.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Eastern Box Turtles are opportunistic breeders. They have no pheromones or calls to bring a
couple together. Breeding occurs when
two individuals sharing a like mood happen to meet. Females are capable of storing sperm for many
months and using it when needed, so a positive encounter can take place long
before the egg laying season. I’ve seen
an increasing number hatchling Box Turtles during the past few years,
suggesting that the population is doing well.<o:p></o:p></p> <p></p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-24509445693885557382020-11-15T17:33:00.000-05:002020-11-15T17:33:51.217-05:00Northern Black Widow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5Hxq3FoALCKmBR-hSupgqhnGT8ltgps0f_f9lG1e-dzcia9pOER6HDRPuGHNZ2CgyCm0D-tKgnIsOaoQllI9I1mv2gucU3Mvf25AxpeAPKYGxdaT1rGPFbeKXyXqItytWNcpy95BmY8/s2048/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5Hxq3FoALCKmBR-hSupgqhnGT8ltgps0f_f9lG1e-dzcia9pOER6HDRPuGHNZ2CgyCm0D-tKgnIsOaoQllI9I1mv2gucU3Mvf25AxpeAPKYGxdaT1rGPFbeKXyXqItytWNcpy95BmY8/w400-h300/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Blue Jay Barrens is located in a part of Ohio that has an
ever increasing population of Whitetail Deer.
As a result, I commonly find deer bones, particularly skulls.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM0pKcJyHF3-Ogd4hDQptWL97QkUQeEsHnPB_lD_LaGkVB_ecMlrw7CIrpiun_cXPVWbug9bg6ygYb24r0hk8EqZ3eBjywoX7dCNi7xg4YZY0TPAVss0Mwpx_U4eJOVfcdglWpgP3m0c/s2048/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM0pKcJyHF3-Ogd4hDQptWL97QkUQeEsHnPB_lD_LaGkVB_ecMlrw7CIrpiun_cXPVWbug9bg6ygYb24r0hk8EqZ3eBjywoX7dCNi7xg4YZY0TPAVss0Mwpx_U4eJOVfcdglWpgP3m0c/w400-h300/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Skulls tend to remain intact longer than any other part of
the deer skeleton. This longevity makes
the weathered skull an ideal living space for a variety of small animals. In this case the brain cavity is being used
by a spider.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnoVJE2EMNPYRDFGQz77ow9Od6sNaAt5WGvyv1nsRWTVoVZe6Vb-SzhoEj_CicCulDz0zch27jgStZOD3ne53rQBQx6SOo9xDDMbWYWYNZ7NKMGkEUJq8KSGJsyo5SE3AtLgNFuYX9po/s1021/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1021" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnoVJE2EMNPYRDFGQz77ow9Od6sNaAt5WGvyv1nsRWTVoVZe6Vb-SzhoEj_CicCulDz0zch27jgStZOD3ne53rQBQx6SOo9xDDMbWYWYNZ7NKMGkEUJq8KSGJsyo5SE3AtLgNFuYX9po/w400-h300/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Closer examination shows the occupant to be a Black
Widow. I have found several of this type
of spider and in every case they have been living inside an old deer skull.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrjiyBby6dIpKMk-lHO_ZeGX3edXZaFS7tj8IbuJvunMvrnR0Rv_zxu1xSLQgvdpQf00VtIaTEqkfTOc3cKIK-Xv-kNVtUzn4z0z1IllgMQD5f0hQR-ur_9hE__eUC4J-C3H-lhoQgVU/s746/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="746" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrjiyBby6dIpKMk-lHO_ZeGX3edXZaFS7tj8IbuJvunMvrnR0Rv_zxu1xSLQgvdpQf00VtIaTEqkfTOc3cKIK-Xv-kNVtUzn4z0z1IllgMQD5f0hQR-ur_9hE__eUC4J-C3H-lhoQgVU/w400-h301/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The spider kept moving around and finally positioned itself
with the ventral (underneath) surface facing in my direction. The red markings on the abdomen allowed me to
identify this specimen as a female Northern Black Widow, <i>Latrodectus variolus</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHf76owK-Bnx6HukK3js60PBDxXzQKA3xce20czMeNAwgKZf1I6GKeTkX6jVHb6agszMC01NgxulwHIbMDtnpSos923wqzUu-IIymO3Hmi3eOngBF9LB0p10TRMMR9jw7Mj7_RY3dIuk/s588/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="588" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHf76owK-Bnx6HukK3js60PBDxXzQKA3xce20czMeNAwgKZf1I6GKeTkX6jVHb6agszMC01NgxulwHIbMDtnpSos923wqzUu-IIymO3Hmi3eOngBF9LB0p10TRMMR9jw7Mj7_RY3dIuk/w400-h299/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Another view of the ventral surface showing the trademark
red hourglass shape. The top and bottom
sections of the hourglass on the Northern Black Widow are separated by a black
band.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiunmbAhmsdoxNYq-ITg27jRwYrX1WmQd_ki0zsrK_ZUmJ0oWJFA8IsWdgGqeZEkXPUNe2ShMqguOu9xnGynHgf1_WxkNzqRoPPpK3aDXSL6r1aDa0pLlvuapztJk0AjCJuvjZBCAW5U/s1021/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1021" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiunmbAhmsdoxNYq-ITg27jRwYrX1WmQd_ki0zsrK_ZUmJ0oWJFA8IsWdgGqeZEkXPUNe2ShMqguOu9xnGynHgf1_WxkNzqRoPPpK3aDXSL6r1aDa0pLlvuapztJk0AjCJuvjZBCAW5U/w400-h301/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The Northern Black Widow displays a variety of red markings
on the dorsal (upper) surface of the abdomen.
The spider is upside down in this view.
A red stripe begins at the spinnerets and continues along the center
line of the abdomen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgVasJzkkY48LhVMcYDneZIWytul5-TTY7D1SNGW6sg63cz3eaeSVboXeCVNkcz9c-HaEut27PH8dUPz0JqpROBfclg2NzMCRsghyTFoNHTvA_mysDZIu2KoXr-YEMBdlGNnWpOjkkvU/s1048/7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgVasJzkkY48LhVMcYDneZIWytul5-TTY7D1SNGW6sg63cz3eaeSVboXeCVNkcz9c-HaEut27PH8dUPz0JqpROBfclg2NzMCRsghyTFoNHTvA_mysDZIu2KoXr-YEMBdlGNnWpOjkkvU/w400-h300/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The red stripe transitions into a series of red spots,
making for quite an attractive spider.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH16reRg4f4D7Q1YxWHdteGZslgDw533_dqk7BhsoiZMIg8lXJjbtmbqNZXZ5bWVJglfa5dGq7PyoDxVU10kC4Gfs_bX3-wpoDvyVDZciaL9DsUV2pOvQZVAc7LOUDWWLHdQmQI-6ALCk/s2048/8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH16reRg4f4D7Q1YxWHdteGZslgDw533_dqk7BhsoiZMIg8lXJjbtmbqNZXZ5bWVJglfa5dGq7PyoDxVU10kC4Gfs_bX3-wpoDvyVDZciaL9DsUV2pOvQZVAc7LOUDWWLHdQmQI-6ALCk/w400-h300/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I found this spider living on a dry, south facing
slope. This provides the warm, dry
conditions preferred by the Black Widow.
All of my Black Widow encounters have been in this same type of
habitat. Following my photo shoot, the
deer skull, with spider alive and well inside, was replaced as it was
originally found.<o:p></o:p></p> <p></p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-42628291945748849652020-09-25T11:56:00.000-04:002020-09-25T11:56:16.745-04:00Little Pink Moth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtGZ3eO9MreapP0XRiM1nRiAJyPqCwmCRFcigjlHgyKavSZzDBoMa4Yn0kAX24xF3QWQAMo-1VdeH2e3drdhTH2TkNmFxU8P9EqNKKbZ6s3F8k9DJaf8E68l0WMNA8XpvcSvyMz3vHIo/s1518/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1518" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtGZ3eO9MreapP0XRiM1nRiAJyPqCwmCRFcigjlHgyKavSZzDBoMa4Yn0kAX24xF3QWQAMo-1VdeH2e3drdhTH2TkNmFxU8P9EqNKKbZ6s3F8k9DJaf8E68l0WMNA8XpvcSvyMz3vHIo/w400-h301/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I noticed a tiny pink blur floating randomly through the
tall grass. It took a couple of minutes
before it finally settled atop an Orange Coneflower, <i>Rudbeckia fulgida</i>. Once it
was at rest, I was able to get a good look at this little pink moth. Officially known as the Inornate Pyrausta, <i>Pyrausta inornatalis</i>, many people
appropriately refer to this species as simply the Little Pink Moth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6pIFx8rGuqveYiV-OZQmYwzuOqTbS9NtP2BbZSKttwrhHc-2mOw8hDnkKJqdGHQwqMAhwxb9wA3pvRFlNjG03t3NLwO7kxbSa33m2CN9MlPnQoGbsNAcJnGWMrkgvMyupBkAiJbsjjA/s1702/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1702" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6pIFx8rGuqveYiV-OZQmYwzuOqTbS9NtP2BbZSKttwrhHc-2mOw8hDnkKJqdGHQwqMAhwxb9wA3pvRFlNjG03t3NLwO7kxbSa33m2CN9MlPnQoGbsNAcJnGWMrkgvMyupBkAiJbsjjA/w400-h300/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">This is a southern species that ranges as far north as Kentucky. I’ve never before seen it at
Blue Jay Barrens. INaturalist shows a
few scattered sightings in the southern half of Ohio. It will be interesting to see if it becomes a
permanent addition to the local fauna.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8pjvQlXvkSrN4JVBWh2Lg_5E86o2ySOdOqinHmUjCdGf5eIMUW2-G1BDpglwCwui6GyLPUCHFJzmWzpM1LrIdU9CDWsLsKB0mqq5xUnx8Wfty7Tl_SkXqNe7dTdC03U_W_3aQNj9Bc0/s3131/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="3131" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8pjvQlXvkSrN4JVBWh2Lg_5E86o2ySOdOqinHmUjCdGf5eIMUW2-G1BDpglwCwui6GyLPUCHFJzmWzpM1LrIdU9CDWsLsKB0mqq5xUnx8Wfty7Tl_SkXqNe7dTdC03U_W_3aQNj9Bc0/w400-h300/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">My grandmother’s house was painted the exact color of this
moth. Her house shined like a beacon
among all of the others on the block. If
I had named this moth, I probably would have called it Gram’s House.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFDGjZ_wKBno2VjBlAuir_oDIoFqJywcmsNN75RUkgZWipOwU2aGi82cVxFbzTywWi7HI27BqN1bKxa2QiWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">The short video shows the moth nectaring on the coneflower.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p></p>Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-47824378017919545422020-05-19T18:35:00.000-04:002020-05-19T18:35:22.791-04:00Hermit Thrush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS4I7aorvguDWY1ipwM4ROyZQd2R_ILuN1lzgAjCgSzDQ1fv7VbGbEU3aEJ9F652kRL2E0uP4nfNmIkcMg8KRsUCefInJdlMxgCjKmbin1Y8JYaaLAJeXpRGw7yOYUSiyyiTpxewck7s/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS4I7aorvguDWY1ipwM4ROyZQd2R_ILuN1lzgAjCgSzDQ1fv7VbGbEU3aEJ9F652kRL2E0uP4nfNmIkcMg8KRsUCefInJdlMxgCjKmbin1Y8JYaaLAJeXpRGw7yOYUSiyyiTpxewck7s/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am trying to compile a photographic record of all plants and animals found at Blue Jay Barrens. At the moment, I am capturing images only as opportunity allows. Beginning next year, this photography project will share the top priority slot in my list of management activities alongside invasive species control. While taking a break from my woodland management activities, this Hermit Thrush took up an easy to view position not far in front of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5v5fL3fhX4MzOLs_PFffLx7IjoNcX5hS65Ka-BIdf7dTCfrykgpiQ1GS8mqdhNRv-JGYSubjfpC877PbqsfgO44Us7IXmlZyNLCoVZ_AIjZk2tIuEARU5R5iTSsGlp1TTI9AI0mkjsU/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5v5fL3fhX4MzOLs_PFffLx7IjoNcX5hS65Ka-BIdf7dTCfrykgpiQ1GS8mqdhNRv-JGYSubjfpC877PbqsfgO44Us7IXmlZyNLCoVZ_AIjZk2tIuEARU5R5iTSsGlp1TTI9AI0mkjsU/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I usually have an awful time photographing birds anywhere else than at my feeder. In this case, despite an abundance of sight obstructing tree trunks, thickly branched shrubs and fallen limbs, the thrush continually chose resting sites that afforded me an unobstructed view.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgJ1g0LsW54XbeR7dCv6kmv0Cv43zaklw3EaBLuBs8JcMIEKL9tHRnh-rKE-Wm6QwwYwy1ZZBXsZ2Arz5X7HC745EcJb4sKJuPJ6ZoHrPsNguuVtau3be3hm8sJl1IbHZWq_vNpK7u_o/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgJ1g0LsW54XbeR7dCv6kmv0Cv43zaklw3EaBLuBs8JcMIEKL9tHRnh-rKE-Wm6QwwYwy1ZZBXsZ2Arz5X7HC745EcJb4sKJuPJ6ZoHrPsNguuVtau3be3hm8sJl1IbHZWq_vNpK7u_o/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Hermit Thrush is a rare nester in Ohio. This one was probably on its way north.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBlm99CH_3Ob-7ZuRc0UNnkMhQFEyedOPgN7VBvdQhvrRQuHoNBhzaE4KmgZmqq8_EgbBNzt7ntTAfEUetj15x-OGdYIXBZRULkE-wkO0tSuqdk1MLFdq3RjKR46bQ6_UE4zw34FUltQ/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="556" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBlm99CH_3Ob-7ZuRc0UNnkMhQFEyedOPgN7VBvdQhvrRQuHoNBhzaE4KmgZmqq8_EgbBNzt7ntTAfEUetj15x-OGdYIXBZRULkE-wkO0tSuqdk1MLFdq3RjKR46bQ6_UE4zw34FUltQ/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was lucky enough to view this bird capturing and consuming an earthworm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dysveQQ0Y5S83TqrJHMBDUJKrUWrBsouAmvJp9bYb4_h27gU9mW6AlLvS8gXkNlv0QKo2IsgEFLH5UgyVb5Wg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to still photos, I am attempting to get a short bit of video of each species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far I’ve captured a lot of video of unmoving animals that occasionally blink or swallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hermit Thrush was kind enough to capture a worm just as I got it in my view finder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The video above has not been edited to remove the shaky portions, because that would have removed most of the video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If camera motion bothers you, do not watch this video.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-14081255282057355942020-04-23T10:09:00.000-04:002020-04-23T10:09:37.561-04:00Bald Eagle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ht_Jh2FiXSETTsdogl5sSJygF_DC3l8hCIZFd-CetSMKvN22Zr6boI-bDxMu8faj74ww7c3okwbbWAhHYh6jLg3C8aEVYPSXQZNIuS93oRbxZ7gV_N5iaFtJ7IM4a1nZsGK9glVeIm8/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ht_Jh2FiXSETTsdogl5sSJygF_DC3l8hCIZFd-CetSMKvN22Zr6boI-bDxMu8faj74ww7c3okwbbWAhHYh6jLg3C8aEVYPSXQZNIuS93oRbxZ7gV_N5iaFtJ7IM4a1nZsGK9glVeIm8/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday morning, I put a dead raccoon near the edge of my
lawn to feed the vultures. Within an
hour there were seven Turkey Vultures taking turns at the feast. A half hour later I saw all of the vultures
in the air and wondered why they had abandoned their meal. A quick check showed the raccoon now in the
possession of a young Bald Eagle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2TqK9_uyTASSelyz6ckPJLN-RmOvGyUKs4aEENTAnuwqKlSH0VdbwmJkHRKb6g-ghoXj93NoFkhldvRrCJq27hGFQ2ZipJQeCo3r9zfW5aK7IcNeSFSdWpTa705Gyp8g4_BPj3Ocdxs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2TqK9_uyTASSelyz6ckPJLN-RmOvGyUKs4aEENTAnuwqKlSH0VdbwmJkHRKb6g-ghoXj93NoFkhldvRrCJq27hGFQ2ZipJQeCo3r9zfW5aK7IcNeSFSdWpTa705Gyp8g4_BPj3Ocdxs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I routinely move road-killed animals from the road in front
of the house to the field behind the house.
I think it’s a lot safer for the scavengers and it provides me some
interesting viewing. I’ve seen Turkey
Vultures, Black Vultures, Red-shouldered Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks feed on the
dead animals, but this is the first visit I’ve had from a Bald Eagle. This individual was keeping a close watch on
the circling Turkey Vultures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ2sGthaBFwU_x7fWECNNGzHskT7RDinvVsv0EeeI4tIiwv1wUU0YPrRgKZLiHCcgZF4bK7cGRwT3ungy8CA_MtW3wvrOu-L47t7krrebyjim3-yCEEh591PmHW4U_x9cecPoj5THs04/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ2sGthaBFwU_x7fWECNNGzHskT7RDinvVsv0EeeI4tIiwv1wUU0YPrRgKZLiHCcgZF4bK7cGRwT3ungy8CA_MtW3wvrOu-L47t7krrebyjim3-yCEEh591PmHW4U_x9cecPoj5THs04/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
eagle had no trouble taking what it wanted from the carcass.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlPE5dMu50CNDrZU1jhKvNFkqzqPvJm4_VJ5jHdJPL3X7-R1M98JJkQ_045JVfPBfuyMx6unGYWbRDgoEE47ixzpbUYjxLjnODfKvCXE0EB85bMuUsDkZ2qoQa1yOpqtAddUEMpNaoT4/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlPE5dMu50CNDrZU1jhKvNFkqzqPvJm4_VJ5jHdJPL3X7-R1M98JJkQ_045JVfPBfuyMx6unGYWbRDgoEE47ixzpbUYjxLjnODfKvCXE0EB85bMuUsDkZ2qoQa1yOpqtAddUEMpNaoT4/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The amount of white mottling makes me think this is a two
year old bird. However, my eagle
experience is minimal, so I’m basing that assumption on what I’ve read in
various bird field guides.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8YmH4WYBfuWns1sQ-XUxZ1jdXhgjGxMdEYp8g4lMGhE53tvgc14BC_Sp9AAdF7vEM9vYoQmWQS0dvgvDEFhr5GFSOvHJN1HdGi43kp4hi0Xr1ViaYb0RZAPXKq0LBApIgwYYXkUsE7o/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8YmH4WYBfuWns1sQ-XUxZ1jdXhgjGxMdEYp8g4lMGhE53tvgc14BC_Sp9AAdF7vEM9vYoQmWQS0dvgvDEFhr5GFSOvHJN1HdGi43kp4hi0Xr1ViaYb0RZAPXKq0LBApIgwYYXkUsE7o/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In between feedings, the eagle spent time sitting in a large
fence row Black Walnut. I saw it visit
the carcass three different times. It
stayed in the area for about six hours before moving on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy7uuo9xzY9we4Hj7T_jE24rm5xIWSPoL_-CmvkWJJe4czYRqZOkS7hliJfNVoqPuKHIt027nGcwXoqiB-pCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Above is a short video of the Bald Eagle feeding.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-15310853595464875612020-04-14T10:28:00.000-04:002020-04-14T10:28:53.769-04:00Yucca Removal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimthikKwC0DTWZxlczZs1GdvMO4f7Lyqqmuj4U8mnHMo1cTmauqk1xVaUBJdoQmJNj7g3Gxe3L6K9XrB_NXyRzhY0AX2lZIIsd9Y0pdGloRxZgt60KbTKatOS4Wks4bbA4uaQhemPTgXY/s1600/a1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimthikKwC0DTWZxlczZs1GdvMO4f7Lyqqmuj4U8mnHMo1cTmauqk1xVaUBJdoQmJNj7g3Gxe3L6K9XrB_NXyRzhY0AX2lZIIsd9Y0pdGloRxZgt60KbTKatOS4Wks4bbA4uaQhemPTgXY/s400/a1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yucca, <i>Yucca
filamentosa</i>, has slowly been encroaching on one of my prairie areas. <i>Yucca
filamentosa</i> is a North American native plant originally confined to the south-eastern
portion of the United States. It is
considered to be a naturalized species in Ohio, with populations generally
spreading from sites of human habitation where Yucca was planted for such uses
as food, medicine or ornamental purposes.
Since I manage for native populations, the Yucca, non-native in my area,
has always been on my list of plants to eradicate, but there have always been
more serious matters for me to deal with.
A few years ago I began to notice new Yucca populations popping up
hundreds of feet from the original infestation.
That discovery caused me to move Yucca removal to a higher level on my
priority list. After a couple of years
testing treatment methods, I began in March 2020 to eliminate Yucca from Blue
Jay Barrens on a large scale.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFFJAY2hrsprox-tihXFkbrbCyAcvSu5bFALS1pc9xly0PEmIoz995A6b411twM9oo86JCYp7LAJW_hehm8GYcA3uLhb2DAugXuwr8Zw6HorsAXxPAHzlt30EE_TUEWR0piRTsg6Rga4/s1600/a2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFFJAY2hrsprox-tihXFkbrbCyAcvSu5bFALS1pc9xly0PEmIoz995A6b411twM9oo86JCYp7LAJW_hehm8GYcA3uLhb2DAugXuwr8Zw6HorsAXxPAHzlt30EE_TUEWR0piRTsg6Rga4/s400/a2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The long pointed leaves have fibrous strands that give the
plant a rather worn look. These are the
filaments from which its scientific name derives. The leaf edges can sometimes be abrasive and
the leaf tips are often sharp. I got
plenty of scrapes and pinpoint wounds while dealing with this plant.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7xiA2JWP5QAmxDhramcF0GdWVtFsiqPEKqfCJQ9iWSvMoHfrfjtoaFWcNDB76sJO4-t20aKnw-rWVXOBwTZiKb3ZGP0enFNx5V6WkOD3vNooD7klLwBx0UqM0GexVhjJr5I-SEappzM/s1600/a3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7xiA2JWP5QAmxDhramcF0GdWVtFsiqPEKqfCJQ9iWSvMoHfrfjtoaFWcNDB76sJO4-t20aKnw-rWVXOBwTZiKb3ZGP0enFNx5V6WkOD3vNooD7klLwBx0UqM0GexVhjJr5I-SEappzM/s400/a3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vertical stem is generally quite short, but can
sometimes reach up to a foot in height.
The leaves grow in a whorl from the stem with new growth coming from the
tip. The old leaves die to form a thick
mulch that eliminates any competing plants from growing near the Yucca.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHT8z-tTdBrcOMYLs_INXefsXffdvEwzbpynz71JTNzZ57B6w-xLeKT7Z9fGfdArJ_LrCCtqDfwD-OeDN7a7EdY5sKTjTjVTeQbGcBnCnzrOhEKlIsfpKgCt-R8sU1aiuxmb2ySmhZ6M/s1600/a4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHT8z-tTdBrcOMYLs_INXefsXffdvEwzbpynz71JTNzZ57B6w-xLeKT7Z9fGfdArJ_LrCCtqDfwD-OeDN7a7EdY5sKTjTjVTeQbGcBnCnzrOhEKlIsfpKgCt-R8sU1aiuxmb2ySmhZ6M/s400/a4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the point of original infestation. This open hilltop allowed for seeds to easily
spread down hill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxaGDSstwtxH0vPf9hMfWtUcxnK6IK0Qldr77UzVi5WvMX8CcVXv7RUbYTilb86HBUfcN8vjfaAs-N0SFXzWAEMZ9Zu4V-yw9vSPp4_AMeDFjNTnXrkxuqp_F693ZpXYPOXBi2s52h2U/s1600/a5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxaGDSstwtxH0vPf9hMfWtUcxnK6IK0Qldr77UzVi5WvMX8CcVXv7RUbYTilb86HBUfcN8vjfaAs-N0SFXzWAEMZ9Zu4V-yw9vSPp4_AMeDFjNTnXrkxuqp_F693ZpXYPOXBi2s52h2U/s400/a5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought the origin site to be an excellent beginning point
for Yucca eradication. Especially since
I have a well used walking trail running along the edge of this area and I was
tired of seeing Yucca every time I went by.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1bEWW2KPtzSlOgd3nBRNh07EGclhzxkpXSbrPJqFLkavhLKxR8pP55T35AB4OtWwFdy4HJ3e5MqgcgIGJ3lbeVs-GiSo1MuCcC54BvPNzW20HAveZd_z1lFCWLRriUAPLSJQre6baEA/s1600/a6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1bEWW2KPtzSlOgd3nBRNh07EGclhzxkpXSbrPJqFLkavhLKxR8pP55T35AB4OtWwFdy4HJ3e5MqgcgIGJ3lbeVs-GiSo1MuCcC54BvPNzW20HAveZd_z1lFCWLRriUAPLSJQre6baEA/s400/a6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the top of the hill, Yucca spread down the slope to the
west.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHlP_pQgT-TfuTp79ZSNQnGOaWA9kcUMdYb67mh24kAoctf4vhk8F9QGvvbM2JbvWayogVWOxHsx4ezwiGn7Bz6hPcTrTekJpvPjEQNfMprqWHe7STPFqSAzrbP0oIOhdAklosvmv5CA/s1600/a7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHlP_pQgT-TfuTp79ZSNQnGOaWA9kcUMdYb67mh24kAoctf4vhk8F9QGvvbM2JbvWayogVWOxHsx4ezwiGn7Bz6hPcTrTekJpvPjEQNfMprqWHe7STPFqSAzrbP0oIOhdAklosvmv5CA/s400/a7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With this area cleared, I really had to stretch my neck to
see any Yucca from the trail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcGxCT61KesUpbfuPCFfJyLpz-bCU5qysjdriCbMpCBUtdh65pb5IiKpHwBaCVp36Cc9qlTeR-eqZcPxXtz4Q0fjEPQboAtiPS_lFOVUP4MzAIY3PH99107l9lOJO0kwztKno2dd6-L0/s1600/a8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcGxCT61KesUpbfuPCFfJyLpz-bCU5qysjdriCbMpCBUtdh65pb5IiKpHwBaCVp36Cc9qlTeR-eqZcPxXtz4Q0fjEPQboAtiPS_lFOVUP4MzAIY3PH99107l9lOJO0kwztKno2dd6-L0/s400/a8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yucca spread out near the base of the hill. All cut Yucca plants were moved to a brush
pile seen just to the right of the center of this photo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlqtKmd9YNY55_j27oI9VE4LDsNgfkLk7eaILW2DiYiIJyoECdfry-vpxv2g9FP92nttAOi95f5BVFqOZFllZmvvRE-n8pE9Dkt6Zp0Z8TvQ5WD7bX-qcjRVBz7VUj_vUemWXgZTxCFg/s1600/a9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlqtKmd9YNY55_j27oI9VE4LDsNgfkLk7eaILW2DiYiIJyoECdfry-vpxv2g9FP92nttAOi95f5BVFqOZFllZmvvRE-n8pE9Dkt6Zp0Z8TvQ5WD7bX-qcjRVBz7VUj_vUemWXgZTxCFg/s400/a9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point, all Yucca plants in the prairie area have
been removed. Those plants showing on
the right side of the photo were removed the day after this picture was taken.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I cut off the Yucca plants, I piled the tops for future
collection.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cut plants were loaded onto a tarp and dragged out of the
field. Fortunately it was a down hill
drag to the brush pile.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETZRXvRViqgwW24Zxy6bC75tbAdfKbr7oFLH_FPPOEoi-Z-NuTxr9VQA_PJ9lN7H8g9MOWXWi4Qi7R-AD882bmRj3gqm1ndZXs1SrYokmHv7wRHxUNo7EbgiG7AgM3BwwtiQ2vRfpKpY/s1600/a12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETZRXvRViqgwW24Zxy6bC75tbAdfKbr7oFLH_FPPOEoi-Z-NuTxr9VQA_PJ9lN7H8g9MOWXWi4Qi7R-AD882bmRj3gqm1ndZXs1SrYokmHv7wRHxUNo7EbgiG7AgM3BwwtiQ2vRfpKpY/s400/a12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This pile, roughly six feet high and twelve feet wide, was
made of plants cut from about one acre of prairie. The pile will quickly shrink in size as the
plants decompose.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44F8MlpyNqr6tuqSCvUM07zGOjtzLRaVOSm1ZFyQGQpGdr5TXTfTkghlgpNeDlHeqdf3DZe85MtKSQKJV-EIPzO_EL8QnLQvlw2SSj34zFG-GDJEUODWfUB7rwPi06PnUlUYd47sseOY/s1600/a13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44F8MlpyNqr6tuqSCvUM07zGOjtzLRaVOSm1ZFyQGQpGdr5TXTfTkghlgpNeDlHeqdf3DZe85MtKSQKJV-EIPzO_EL8QnLQvlw2SSj34zFG-GDJEUODWfUB7rwPi06PnUlUYd47sseOY/s400/a13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Deer will generally not browse Yucca plants. However, they seem to very much like the
stems and treat the brush pile as a huge feeding station. Individual plants are pulled out of the pile
by the deer. They dine on the normally unreachable stem and leave the tops
strewn about, sometimes a long distance from the pile. Cut Yucca plants will easily root and
continue growing if left on the ground, so I have to periodically gather up the
tops and replace them on the brush pile.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve removed Yucca from about one and a half acres of open
prairie. I still have about a half acre
of Yucca growing in a shaded drainage area.
Other priorities have temporarily taken me away from this work, but I
hope to continue the Yucca removal job later in the summer. At a minimum, I will cut the flower stalks to
eliminate seed production for this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
A clump of mature Yucca plants appears to be a formidable
adversary, but pushing aside the lower leaves reveals a soft underbelly. Although the stems may reach a diameter of
two inches, they are very soft. I had no
trouble slicing the stem with a pair of standard hand pruners, often severing
the stem by simply pushing the pruner blade on through.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtLiFOcAXaAzCwKvRENuiuN460T0PUWBQ0hR-JiJw1nusSkCurim3HCQq2V4_iCz5LWVeAZ9iktDyDRTgGTDjCQ9Eu8-gKqWQejHNzfrpxo-SDHM9_uhxDlziC39YWWYC88iMhGkbHGY/s1600/a16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtLiFOcAXaAzCwKvRENuiuN460T0PUWBQ0hR-JiJw1nusSkCurim3HCQq2V4_iCz5LWVeAZ9iktDyDRTgGTDjCQ9Eu8-gKqWQejHNzfrpxo-SDHM9_uhxDlziC39YWWYC88iMhGkbHGY/s400/a16.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Removing the cut plant reveals the severed stems surrounded
by a dead zone resulting from shading by the Yucca leaves. In some of the larger clumps, lateral stems
were poised to add to the size of the colony.
All parts of the stem in contact with the ground produce roots, so each
new stem could become a standalone plant.
The roots are reddish in color and can be seen near the cut stems.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4ODlDGp6sZk1liXtnb_pP1BRgrDOChBiKOnQdo8tv4bdCeuLc0ZAl_-wbHriWZG3uVjvjtiMBGmtvZf_l2aONx4acznSmX1C-JsX8fpyOx7_YHnkgoYKebdFxO3zA1xP_2Gzdi8vqMk/s1600/a17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4ODlDGp6sZk1liXtnb_pP1BRgrDOChBiKOnQdo8tv4bdCeuLc0ZAl_-wbHriWZG3uVjvjtiMBGmtvZf_l2aONx4acznSmX1C-JsX8fpyOx7_YHnkgoYKebdFxO3zA1xP_2Gzdi8vqMk/s400/a17.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After cutting, I applied concentrated glyphosate, typically
a 41% solution, to each cut stem. Not
knowing if the glyphosate would effectively eliminate the developing stems, I
cut the tip from each young stem and treated it with glyphosate. In my earlier trials, this method proved to
be nearly 100% effective in killing the entire plant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqGBO-J3M3S6Tv5gZhc8bM7O44TFqXReW_EI749fImJhnjmsDyR1Wphej3WJIfa65q1vEY9tjpCDXFkVT0We-q8PEvOqUAETBTrhZBhk1H4DOOWBqzoPFhyphenhyphenhtYUZ9W7f2nmfWlE2w11M/s1600/a18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqGBO-J3M3S6Tv5gZhc8bM7O44TFqXReW_EI749fImJhnjmsDyR1Wphej3WJIfa65q1vEY9tjpCDXFkVT0We-q8PEvOqUAETBTrhZBhk1H4DOOWBqzoPFhyphenhyphenhtYUZ9W7f2nmfWlE2w11M/s400/a18.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I treated a wide range of plant sizes. Large plants were the easiest to find, cut
and treat. Smaller sized plants, such as
that shown just below the large cut stem in the photo, were harder to locate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the next few years I’m sure to be dealing with many
small plants that evaded my search, but I’m sure the days of a widespread Yucca
invasion are over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-72505857639920994112019-09-30T21:02:00.000-04:002019-09-30T21:02:08.749-04:00Pileated Woodpecker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hobXrNq80kYKx0sN2iTqjkGhVlU3wTIVdQe5_vuifsRd3ETbPQH6ZASNTZEicTbt1-uUUjlSYnXuQWMqBdhwxYzXjtRRq23CLtktuHOa997KKIrSnn922yKR1XlgszePhFqvH1PKbbg/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1127" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hobXrNq80kYKx0sN2iTqjkGhVlU3wTIVdQe5_vuifsRd3ETbPQH6ZASNTZEicTbt1-uUUjlSYnXuQWMqBdhwxYzXjtRRq23CLtktuHOa997KKIrSnn922yKR1XlgszePhFqvH1PKbbg/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes you don’t even have to search for an interesting
photographic subject. I was lounging
beneath a large cedar tree, waiting out a light drizzle of rain, when I heard
some activity in the vegetation almost directly in front of me. About the time I got my camera set up, a
Pileated Woodpecker stuck its head up and took a look at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMHkbLUvNxRAc5pCnXmCtq4-C9i98kMuWQmbA2111bQjUhm-82vaChIjX6KmZX0eeJoOp_cSpXaC271MFCZVLFXfMSscOOUeu_vES8TQgg_1tEECab5BJdgWDhX7prcLpjrs3rAPuuUE/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMHkbLUvNxRAc5pCnXmCtq4-C9i98kMuWQmbA2111bQjUhm-82vaChIjX6KmZX0eeJoOp_cSpXaC271MFCZVLFXfMSscOOUeu_vES8TQgg_1tEECab5BJdgWDhX7prcLpjrs3rAPuuUE/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the largest of our Ohio woodpeckers and is always a
treat to encounter. I thought my
presence was going to drive it away. I
just kept still and waited. Humans are
much less threatening when their facial features are hidden behind a camera.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF0gRL5s04jy600yB7M6ijxdsbeyUNW2C8kcJ7a0Gse8IXFle1jihyphenhyphenc4tculBprywS9G7dYJ2hJ-RlpOfgU1iBtu8eSb9DoWv9AC08tQNbIzBx_NijtxW5fgFhQuhyphenhyphen8jwjX2Nf1W3v9A/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF0gRL5s04jy600yB7M6ijxdsbeyUNW2C8kcJ7a0Gse8IXFle1jihyphenhyphenc4tculBprywS9G7dYJ2hJ-RlpOfgU1iBtu8eSb9DoWv9AC08tQNbIzBx_NijtxW5fgFhQuhyphenhyphen8jwjX2Nf1W3v9A/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My presence apparently didn’t cause the bird any alarm,
because it continued tearing into a rotten stump in search of insects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx2RrbCmMWFBT1uAF45adfTJm_tEvk6vY0-Jk-iVGnLYVnMMmdc94h5XC89F892CBF7_8uypm-_9QrFsTCm1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been trying to shoot some video of my photo subjects
when possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The video shows the
woodpecker breaking into a nest of ants. It’s particularly interested in
grabbing the white colored larvae.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
snaps up what is readily available and then uses its tongue to probe into
crevices to haul out any hidden morsels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stopped filming when the bird shifted around to the back of the
stump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stayed out of sight for a few
minutes before flying off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-75229730320186143172019-09-13T18:03:00.000-04:002019-09-13T18:03:57.526-04:00Pulling Wild Carrots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie84iyb8owF4c9ixC7yLFPdopmrdSMbhEIDOLpLl_nSFlNh3jK8kRLNzWi3vvEzXfKe36kAk_E6wotsQXOGYln1xthGS608zliuw4Gjv7sEHaTgs4DEX87bLak1f-vE-wFQYwEjikwNgw/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie84iyb8owF4c9ixC7yLFPdopmrdSMbhEIDOLpLl_nSFlNh3jK8kRLNzWi3vvEzXfKe36kAk_E6wotsQXOGYln1xthGS608zliuw4Gjv7sEHaTgs4DEX87bLak1f-vE-wFQYwEjikwNgw/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The flower head of the Wild Carrot, <i>Daucus carota</i>, is made
up of myriad small individual flowers, each capable of yielding a single seed.
Since each plant is capable of producing multiple flower heads, a single plant
may produce hundreds or even thousands of viable seeds. This may be a lovely
proposition for those wishing to expand their population of Wild Carrots, but
it can be a headache for people trying to manage areas as native ecosystems. My
management efforts aim towards creating conditions that favor the growth and
spread of native species. While Wild Carrot may be attractive and a favorite of
many people, it is not native to North America and can act to degrade areas
into which it invades. In order to protect and improve the native integrity of Blue
Jay Barrens, I remove non-native species from the property and that includes
ridding the fields of Wild Carrot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wild Carrot is not the only invasive species I work to
eradicate during the summer months. Sweet Clover, Teasel and Oxeye Daisy are
also on my list of invasive plants to be pulled during the summer months, but
they mature at different times through the summer, so multiple visits must be
made to each management site during the year.
The photo above shows a collection of plants pulled from a small Prairie
area during the first week of June. Plants on the left are Sweet Clover, those
in the middle are Oxeye Daisy, and the small pile on the right side is Wild
Carrot. Wild Carrot is just becoming noticeable in June as its developing
flower stalk begins to elongate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time August 1<sup>st</sup> arrives, Wild Carrot plants
are a few feet tall and supporting a nice collection of white flowers. All
pulled plants are gathered up and placed on an existing brush pile. It wouldn’t
hurt anything to leave the plants in place to rot down naturally on the prairie,
but doing that makes it difficult to see all of the plants that have not yet
been pulled. I don’t want to risk
leaving plants in place that are going to produce seed for future generations.
Besides, I enjoy finishing work on a site and then immediately viewing the area
in its improved condition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I always carry a camera with me while I’m working and try to
get a few before and after shots. Often the camera doesn’t come out of its
holster because I’m racing to finish an area before I run out of time, or I’m
sweating so profusely that I’m afraid I’ll ruin the camera if I try to use it.
I did make a special effort to take this shot on a fine August morning when the
temperature reached 90° F by 10 AM. This is a small section of a 1 acre opening
that had never before received any carrot pulling treatment. My success in eliminating
invasive summer forbs means that each year I have time to add new areas into my
work schedule.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the same area with carrots removed. Within a few
years the area should pretty much look this way without my having to spend
hours pulling carrots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Wide area shots of these prairie openings rarely show the
diversity of plant species present. Spiranthes orchids, such as this pair of
Slender Ladies’ Tresses, Spiranthes lacera, were particularly abundant this
year. They are but one of many interesting
little species hidden in the tall grass.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSIMS6dhmUXM5a6ABTF9AHDkV7o2_i9tTbeVEsBE7MgiPvVEOuh7Ey9AFOrckS0XbXi0De53Rk8cWRasYBZLEC2wNLU6OQwZRbZxGM9_rqgxTHdjVKZQg69ie6wv8tUynsjpIYiDWAXQ/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSIMS6dhmUXM5a6ABTF9AHDkV7o2_i9tTbeVEsBE7MgiPvVEOuh7Ey9AFOrckS0XbXi0De53Rk8cWRasYBZLEC2wNLU6OQwZRbZxGM9_rqgxTHdjVKZQg69ie6wv8tUynsjpIYiDWAXQ/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Pulling is an effective way of eliminating Wild Carrots
because of the plant’s biennial growth habit. The lifespan of the plant is two
years. During the first year the plant forms a cluster of basal leaves and
establishes its taproot. The abundance of first year plants such as the one
shown above gives a good idea of the expanse of plants to be expected in the
next year.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
A flower stalk develops in the second year. Following
pollination, seeds begin to develop as the flower head closes in on itself.
Pulling the plants eliminates seed production and reduces the number of
flowering plants you will see two years later. Mature seeds that become
incorporated into the soil may remain viable for five or six years. Seeds that
remain on or near the surface of the soil generally parish if they do not
germinate within a couple years. When you begin pulling plants on a new site it
takes two years before you really begin to see the positive results of your
actions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Like many plant species that evolved in areas subject to
grazing by herd animals, the Wild Carrot has a weak spot in its stem located
roughly at the soil surface. If the stem is given a quick pull it breaks at
this weak point instead of having its root pulled out of the ground. Just below
this breakpoint is a cluster of buds ready to immediately begin producing new
flower stalks if the top of the plant is lost. On most occasions, a steady pull will bring the plant up root and all. When you have a particularly tenacious plant or are working in ground
that is extremely dry and hard, the carrot often breaks at its weak point. When
this happens, I normally use my hand pruners to cut the plant off down into the
root slightly below the ground level to avoid the rapid regrowth shown in the
photo above.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Often it’s impossible to find the plant stump and regrowth
is inevitable. This plant produced two flower heads within four weeks of the
plant originally being pulled and broken off at its weak point. I try to make a run through my work areas at 4
to 5 week intervals to catch late developing plants or regrowth situations such
as shown here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Browsing animals, primarily Whitetail Deer, typically bite
the plant off well above the soil surface. Browsed plants are particularly
difficult to see when you make your first pass through an area, but quickly
produce new flower stalks and often account for the majority of late-season
flowers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvIhLBxvum_hPXrqX6IXGyW95CzQER86B9TcPXdPuGqDW0Ajf9hxaxz8Le08W3cS3kYOVE0FuSErmKZabJi4Yjnk4R8p3cUaNO1IfKhgfZ363YHIKsya7Edq8n1D4jkXpR1Bo4nYu7KY/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvIhLBxvum_hPXrqX6IXGyW95CzQER86B9TcPXdPuGqDW0Ajf9hxaxz8Le08W3cS3kYOVE0FuSErmKZabJi4Yjnk4R8p3cUaNO1IfKhgfZ363YHIKsya7Edq8n1D4jkXpR1Bo4nYu7KY/s400/11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found many mature plants that were lying flat on the
ground instead of standing in an upright position, making them particularly
hard to see. This was primarily a phenomenon of partially shaded areas near the
field edges. In the above photo you can see two flower clusters almost at
ground-level. One plant stem comes from
the lower right-hand corner the photo and arcs leftward to one of the flower
heads and a second plant stem comes from the lower left-hand corner of the
photo in a rightward arc to a second flower head. Despite their horizontal
growth, both plants are still perfectly capable of producing viable seeds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSi9XRLHvbt-6fmDnKUiDQKPsmN6IvQ1xdCcqyAIvt4jN-b7ouDJQfDLLeoWQGhJdp_9gXyJKtjmTfxuNtEerrlefp08JCesB3wnzVtdCtJwWbxpSPyHHqR4s_jBd6WIyWJG0NkZt7ao/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSi9XRLHvbt-6fmDnKUiDQKPsmN6IvQ1xdCcqyAIvt4jN-b7ouDJQfDLLeoWQGhJdp_9gXyJKtjmTfxuNtEerrlefp08JCesB3wnzVtdCtJwWbxpSPyHHqR4s_jBd6WIyWJG0NkZt7ao/s400/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This particular area has received a lot of attention in the
past few years. A mid-July photo shows no Sweet Clover, no Teasel, and no Wild Carrot.
It shouldn’t be too many more years before all the areas have reached this
level of control.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hIUO7AeOhnEZF9J-k1tqvU1gCG8y1O0Ap4L1pydYTv_GSBSje1J4shdvWKFLGwZHYGT6EFg4QWcOX_UaAoUqatKkGdji0Haky1-vlcHrN6f5DIuk5EGOrnrr0enI6oVSTmNKqgCtaE8/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hIUO7AeOhnEZF9J-k1tqvU1gCG8y1O0Ap4L1pydYTv_GSBSje1J4shdvWKFLGwZHYGT6EFg4QWcOX_UaAoUqatKkGdji0Haky1-vlcHrN6f5DIuk5EGOrnrr0enI6oVSTmNKqgCtaE8/s400/13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always find a lot of interesting things while I am working
and try to stop occasionally to take a few photos. One day I found a number of Poison
Ivy Sawflies, <i>Arge humeralis</i>, feeding on the carrot flowers. They were
impossible to miss with the sun shining off those bright red abdomens. I’m much
more used to seeing the sawfly larvae, so I was pleased to get the opportunity
to observe the adults.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd0EM7Rn237b39Ddly_b0DF1sua2H08EUrxGSVEx2U37Sx2sIkK_hDkWSz7WhQuTPLU_kk29oFF-ITe4_bQhW2NqNIYUaKz1mpuAi6BwZwEnsPSMkmplIkjADOQs2mpBsuo4-j0_qqsg/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1300" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd0EM7Rn237b39Ddly_b0DF1sua2H08EUrxGSVEx2U37Sx2sIkK_hDkWSz7WhQuTPLU_kk29oFF-ITe4_bQhW2NqNIYUaKz1mpuAi6BwZwEnsPSMkmplIkjADOQs2mpBsuo4-j0_qqsg/s400/14.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day, I continued to see adult sawflies, but
now I was seeing a different species. On this day it was the Sumac Sawfly, <i>Arge
coccinea</i>, that seemed to have staked a claim to the local wild carrot flowers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmA7rmrHC0_ljFhBlgUBlNLkQLHncpgeGG8BMfSLyT7jA21C1Vh4ckbbrEG5mJMzkTbc13lZ3-opOdodF8awo8cSktrNs-lZR2I8WM_wbRbFDjOQSkGCFRBxts8PN5aQ8BRihZnBeRQ8/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmA7rmrHC0_ljFhBlgUBlNLkQLHncpgeGG8BMfSLyT7jA21C1Vh4ckbbrEG5mJMzkTbc13lZ3-opOdodF8awo8cSktrNs-lZR2I8WM_wbRbFDjOQSkGCFRBxts8PN5aQ8BRihZnBeRQ8/s400/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every year I see a couple of Black Swallowtail butterfly
larvae feeding on the wild carrots. I took this one and moved it onto a cluster
of nearby first year basal leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
they want to continue breeding at Blue Jay Barrens, they will have to select
one of their few native host plants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-73140531864106953802019-05-12T18:04:00.000-04:002019-05-12T18:03:59.984-04:00Salamanders in the Drain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqNsK4WuMkK7KnBNQjuEy6Q1Jj_If5bwCyvUYdyN_U5ycLakh0D79UM3M7p_yHwaQpP300Lr6xpYfUyFG7czxVWzQOOXxSKIibGiGVRuQt4figxumcZTgGZSVLJzQ893oOgp5YNkl9jg/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqNsK4WuMkK7KnBNQjuEy6Q1Jj_If5bwCyvUYdyN_U5ycLakh0D79UM3M7p_yHwaQpP300Lr6xpYfUyFG7czxVWzQOOXxSKIibGiGVRuQt4figxumcZTgGZSVLJzQ893oOgp5YNkl9jg/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My house in Southern Ohio sits atop a small cellar that was
part of an old farm house constructed in 1875.
A drain pipe runs from the cellar to a point near a seasonal pond in
front of the house. During the wet
season, a seasonal spring emerges from the brick in one corner of the cellar
and flows across the floor to the drain.
For some reason, beginning just a couple of years ago, salamanders have
been coming up the drain and making themselves at home in the cellar. Here are a few species that wandered in this
past winter and spring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFmgVKm5NOnZqTOMoQ4HHwlV7Uwi4c-PJon-NRJY_8fwKw0elSsOiie9NLv9J6FKhLlhQzax_lbHhOXSWXb190kKhd2ICl2G966EfqMKNZ3FpcZ7PzRuMjBUF3DO5synDCuyurDOaryA/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFmgVKm5NOnZqTOMoQ4HHwlV7Uwi4c-PJon-NRJY_8fwKw0elSsOiie9NLv9J6FKhLlhQzax_lbHhOXSWXb190kKhd2ICl2G966EfqMKNZ3FpcZ7PzRuMjBUF3DO5synDCuyurDOaryA/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jefferson Salamander – This species is the first to arrive
at the pond during the breeding season.
They sometimes lay their eggs as early as December.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd9gg1jRYpRvwEUCkjwK3dod-BwdBOwPpVzqru3PcP5iz4ARrTgfhKhf-K88E2g7dNF55VgvSn845X56goaOj3Amg41apX1SQnrawls8ygFObc-CkFdfW1UVN_LZ4dp4nAtSUpq2pO9c/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd9gg1jRYpRvwEUCkjwK3dod-BwdBOwPpVzqru3PcP5iz4ARrTgfhKhf-K88E2g7dNF55VgvSn845X56goaOj3Amg41apX1SQnrawls8ygFObc-CkFdfW1UVN_LZ4dp4nAtSUpq2pO9c/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Streamside Salamander – This uncommon salamander is almost
identical in appearance to the Smallmouth Salamander. The main difference between the two species
is in the location and method of laying eggs.
Smallmouth Salamanders breed in still pools and deposit multiple eggs in
a jelly-like mass. Streamside
Salamanders breed in small headwater streams or pools and deposit their eggs
singly, but in close proximity so as to form a grouping of several eggs,
beneath rocks, logs, leaves or other flat bottomed debris. Streamside
Salamanders begin their breeding activities very soon after the Jeffersons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E7FEpuUW7fgch-3vDscHooyW8Az3pduGgr50c6d3ffWMCf5JpK6ooYrRXygt2HvlHoxYeczjK9fVMkJjg5vkzXNXXn9_vGgZ0rfCocfJCCR3jsyt94neI-SFUwpLji_WGCoikCVW6YU/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E7FEpuUW7fgch-3vDscHooyW8Az3pduGgr50c6d3ffWMCf5JpK6ooYrRXygt2HvlHoxYeczjK9fVMkJjg5vkzXNXXn9_vGgZ0rfCocfJCCR3jsyt94neI-SFUwpLji_WGCoikCVW6YU/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-Spotted Newt – Adults of this species are typically
found in permanent bodies of water, but they are also able to survive in
seasonal pools that are dry during the summer and early fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNl_3qAhUvxa-ha5RhNeV5o20ht9DtQmjTp7VCG3Fu2_eMJcanc38n-UItgSoieSZC6kI3WcyzCG77IxH1GAd44v_4gwZBl0pwlPZVZAw3hK8ABA92kD8NyrgSKgbkdOQBywJPnq-u4n8/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNl_3qAhUvxa-ha5RhNeV5o20ht9DtQmjTp7VCG3Fu2_eMJcanc38n-UItgSoieSZC6kI3WcyzCG77IxH1GAd44v_4gwZBl0pwlPZVZAw3hK8ABA92kD8NyrgSKgbkdOQBywJPnq-u4n8/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Two-Lined Salamander – I don’t normally find this
species far from rocky creeks. The
instinct to disperse is present to some degree in all animals. When conditions are right, the animal just
takes off and travels. Some die and some
colonize new areas. This individual may
have been in dispersal mode.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jvI1df3Q-0AbtSHHqm7vkhiKX8gf5Ev5f5srdodiRvc9OtYAHtdiGldSsIw5yQtmmI2y07UAElzBSgAPqYLeBtCQ18LqSyqDuLecuYGDfMU3pb3Ak1w14dGVUr1kT2L3oHFakvsqhPY/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jvI1df3Q-0AbtSHHqm7vkhiKX8gf5Ev5f5srdodiRvc9OtYAHtdiGldSsIw5yQtmmI2y07UAElzBSgAPqYLeBtCQ18LqSyqDuLecuYGDfMU3pb3Ak1w14dGVUr1kT2L3oHFakvsqhPY/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marbled Salamander – This species lays its eggs in the fall
in locations that will contain water when the end of year rains begin. Once inundated, the eggs hatch. Adults commonly wander during late winter and
spring rains. I’ve lived here for 34
years, but it was just two years ago that I saw my first Marbled
Salamander. That individual was found in
my cellar. Even though I’ve seen this
species each year since, all individuals have been found in my cellar. I’ve yet to encounter one outdoors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBghRv7F5xMI_gg8saT0tHa4ilxn9suYCTDIVfeVryydhNU98FrrbXcy3T0UchTb-RwBXaMYJoYUyzp1vwxI-kJV3EbZnv1alU38LkkyO5yY5hQMSGDLNqp2DhNaUdXmhosfEgmyuPSaQ/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBghRv7F5xMI_gg8saT0tHa4ilxn9suYCTDIVfeVryydhNU98FrrbXcy3T0UchTb-RwBXaMYJoYUyzp1vwxI-kJV3EbZnv1alU38LkkyO5yY5hQMSGDLNqp2DhNaUdXmhosfEgmyuPSaQ/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On warm days, I gather up the visitors and release them
outdoors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an old brush pile
just upstream of the pond that seems to me to be an ideal release point.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-22561974841854697702018-12-13T20:09:00.000-05:002019-02-02T09:11:13.780-05:00American Bittersweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGtwnsdlJ6Sya7HlOenrASaCvogGQWY-4JiwF8NtW3xjB3GRIB49_Ms_BD3PjrjdnP5cKaamTJzBifcNQOxiZ6Jv9yy4DtZSAwPcxR3Q3QIAtl0bANMNdhtxnHxbkGFoAcR-ame8SOrQ/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGtwnsdlJ6Sya7HlOenrASaCvogGQWY-4JiwF8NtW3xjB3GRIB49_Ms_BD3PjrjdnP5cKaamTJzBifcNQOxiZ6Jv9yy4DtZSAwPcxR3Q3QIAtl0bANMNdhtxnHxbkGFoAcR-ame8SOrQ/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is American Bittersweet, <u>Celastrus scandens</u>, a native
plant that is becoming increasingly rare in this area. Thirty years ago, I used to find many fruit
covered vines like this one. It’s been
over 15 years since I’ve seen a fruiting bittersweet vine at Blue Jay Barrens.
I’ve seen young vines that have persisted for a couple of years before
disappearing and now it seems that one of those has matured to the point of
producing fruit. Maybe the American
Bittersweet is coming back.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTD54mxbwQ9q5ox3xrhndvQ2smm2Y7byGnc-RYNJ8dfhSMkhWwF94178q0lLWCuIsQ8BsBIdwI72WZn5K8PcA52DX7j1hmWj1VyZYx7sklqeRFnzYS8u9BlFmcOQxX0b1kiyoWZ_LgYg/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTD54mxbwQ9q5ox3xrhndvQ2smm2Y7byGnc-RYNJ8dfhSMkhWwF94178q0lLWCuIsQ8BsBIdwI72WZn5K8PcA52DX7j1hmWj1VyZYx7sklqeRFnzYS8u9BlFmcOQxX0b1kiyoWZ_LgYg/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know why this once common plant suddenly vanished
from the landscape. In just a couple of
years, dozens of thriving vines suddenly dried up and died. Some blame an exotic invasive relative of
outcompeting the native species, but I’ve yet to see the invasive vine anywhere
near here. This newly discovered
individual has penetrated nearly 18 feet into a White Pine. I hope it can manage to stay healthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o6eUadSC0w887DPOk2o1IAiW3DGW7vIuT_LcpNFZP65Nev5YASaOjH_nD0FHyFUvZ65i9ON67P_K_CnJN5sg_NczE-dyqpiOhZK61bEkrPABRejpnMmlcMd5y747bw96fldJgWSgkU0/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o6eUadSC0w887DPOk2o1IAiW3DGW7vIuT_LcpNFZP65Nev5YASaOjH_nD0FHyFUvZ65i9ON67P_K_CnJN5sg_NczE-dyqpiOhZK61bEkrPABRejpnMmlcMd5y747bw96fldJgWSgkU0/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vine is about one inch in diameter at the base, so it
has to have been growing here for a few years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wD5N-HxEXhoVCB7YEggf1vguai56Fx5J426rWBRotK5gw_ediF1GrtFIf2b36zPQp9yhGpEud2okRf1TPH0SDdOc1zWf-7ds4yuYB_ZxipWR3suPHPTn_xd9OOVSOhmS64e7y0wxFhY/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wD5N-HxEXhoVCB7YEggf1vguai56Fx5J426rWBRotK5gw_ediF1GrtFIf2b36zPQp9yhGpEud2okRf1TPH0SDdOc1zWf-7ds4yuYB_ZxipWR3suPHPTn_xd9OOVSOhmS64e7y0wxFhY/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In early November I harvested some of the fruit, hoping I
might be able to produce a few new vines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
When I checked the vine today, all of the fruit had been
consumed by birds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9gUhsHjssb_PlsdE8FHd0S7uDRufDDEjzYHNX1R_5a1egidTNNRVtfaJiV5CJdTaPVP13qmTmKkDQi80bq0im04FKB4htjQHLZ94VPW_gkoKeeyPgLgnfQAiRazHzNYWtnzNEdwmK3s/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9gUhsHjssb_PlsdE8FHd0S7uDRufDDEjzYHNX1R_5a1egidTNNRVtfaJiV5CJdTaPVP13qmTmKkDQi80bq0im04FKB4htjQHLZ94VPW_gkoKeeyPgLgnfQAiRazHzNYWtnzNEdwmK3s/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that was left were the sections of the orange colored
capsules that had once protected the fruit as it developed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found several seeds and fruit skins that had made the
quick journey through a bird’s gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Flesh of the fruit is digested, but seeds and skins pass through with
little visible effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most cases the
bird’s digestive juices will soften the seed coat and allow for rapid
germination in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I collected a
handful of this processed seed and will see if germination is noticeably
greater than seed taken straight from the vine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe I can help American Bittersweet make a comeback here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-48070672000381210772018-08-27T11:34:00.001-04:002019-05-04T16:01:32.683-04:00Pipe Organ Mud Dauber Wasp and Parasitic Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAST2yw8XYWGLd8fGZ6CYxzVCDOGF7gL0urlY5Qc6EuOvruZxMU21P1SOVH0rGCIQ7yvFENQzZKyUvrh6BMLFGLhg69GycEyRbJlUhWJLNpMEK0IDnelnhr83Gnve_yGyWGjN6NA9b9Fg/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAST2yw8XYWGLd8fGZ6CYxzVCDOGF7gL0urlY5Qc6EuOvruZxMU21P1SOVH0rGCIQ7yvFENQzZKyUvrh6BMLFGLhg69GycEyRbJlUhWJLNpMEK0IDnelnhr83Gnve_yGyWGjN6NA9b9Fg/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About two weeks ago, while sitting on the front porch
cleaning my boots, I heard the unmistakable buzz of a female Pipe Organ Mud
Dauber, <i>Trypoxylon politum</i>, sealing up a brood chamber inside her nest. This
species of wasp uses mud to construct a long tube which it divides into
individual compartments, each of which will be loaded with a collection of
venom paralyzed spiders to be used as a food source for a developing wasp
larva. I looked over and saw that the female wasp was in the process of sealing
off the bottom chamber of a long tube nest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi655oRjMYr3f5am5mGifBlmSXmv1BXfEad3APfbsb-XU4tu8ZMnuGjeXCcMfFOeqjJOeP7suCStxoUgGvzEHKFWcWazz3wg_5xLyHGv8pUPRzn6vxFlsZUMp-PYT2ZL7NOSFtwHyFp-Ng/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi655oRjMYr3f5am5mGifBlmSXmv1BXfEad3APfbsb-XU4tu8ZMnuGjeXCcMfFOeqjJOeP7suCStxoUgGvzEHKFWcWazz3wg_5xLyHGv8pUPRzn6vxFlsZUMp-PYT2ZL7NOSFtwHyFp-Ng/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was not the only one interested in this activity. A female
Tachinid fly was stalking around the entrance to the nest, waiting for an
opportunity to sneak in and leave one or two of its eggs inside the brood
chamber. Gaining access was not an easy process. While the female wasp was away
gathering more mud, the male wasp moved in to guard the nest entrance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTzhe2p297pxPUuEo4eht11Ihyphenhyphen4xVYzDFV5IMz7_x33zoY-dySdjICCzvAHcMjCXd53AqiIN3cR5WTmtPG228Ut8R_pbCxi6QieuRzWjOYxidOqaJm9k5rbZi4EcFBsu8qyMHhY30qvI/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="642" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTzhe2p297pxPUuEo4eht11Ihyphenhyphen4xVYzDFV5IMz7_x33zoY-dySdjICCzvAHcMjCXd53AqiIN3cR5WTmtPG228Ut8R_pbCxi6QieuRzWjOYxidOqaJm9k5rbZi4EcFBsu8qyMHhY30qvI/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually, as the female wasp put the finishing touches on
the bottom seal of the brood chamber, the male wasp moved away and allowed the fly to slip in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwv4zBpVXwJb8yoplaSm9DIrxUrEhSWwaXSD3vDbxQBBumsu18LMwQhue4yN399DppB4VUnHqcFy9R5tJjS_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The video above shows the female wasp bringing in mud to
seal the last brood chamber, the male wasp performing its guard duty and
attending to the female, and the fly skirting around the entrance to the nest
and finally seizing its opportunity to enter. A longer version of this video
can be seen on YouTube by clicking <a href="https://youtu.be/er6mlaT2Olg" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I spotted this fly resting on the outside of the tube
nest. It was obviously freshly emerged and its appearance was marred only by a
few crumbs of dry soil matching the color of the nest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrJX-5pW5KHe19_pfg0nJsJjE1Efjln0SIPra-nsq_m2i7KDIlf-H4YFWj7oBqSvAlsUSAy_NVC_X0dMWrdw0m9z3WfBSgVYEvkKDfA_bS9dfFewfePWCtr1diPEKf-OQyj6-PLNwgH4/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrJX-5pW5KHe19_pfg0nJsJjE1Efjln0SIPra-nsq_m2i7KDIlf-H4YFWj7oBqSvAlsUSAy_NVC_X0dMWrdw0m9z3WfBSgVYEvkKDfA_bS9dfFewfePWCtr1diPEKf-OQyj6-PLNwgH4/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not far away from the fly was the hole through which it had
escaped the wasp brood chamber.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufI3aDMKUbVNBi54EZ-aYZDSuQ2R3SYDTLFrxt_wviHPwA9UA42PIhVesk7-dtJpKOzbrc3cGhPRj4CwbOdLCplfG7ORuPwirgtLSvPkJaSLJ-9qkpU2FvKIvVYJVpUijbTrK2aEarLU/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1087" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufI3aDMKUbVNBi54EZ-aYZDSuQ2R3SYDTLFrxt_wviHPwA9UA42PIhVesk7-dtJpKOzbrc3cGhPRj4CwbOdLCplfG7ORuPwirgtLSvPkJaSLJ-9qkpU2FvKIvVYJVpUijbTrK2aEarLU/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I scraped a bit of soil away from the site of the exit hole
and discovered the empty pupal case left behind by the fly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPIct8QhodLsJffg1xwGb7XGhOkpo5i2VGhu4vqt1lUec1KV1VBgKNizDIC4MFKhxYmSUG0W8emf2_ExQgWOhe8Jln_9n3fvcWCaD0NcIhGh9M_wvbBQC5QCb0lICx7oguP1IrdnNGXs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPIct8QhodLsJffg1xwGb7XGhOkpo5i2VGhu4vqt1lUec1KV1VBgKNizDIC4MFKhxYmSUG0W8emf2_ExQgWOhe8Jln_9n3fvcWCaD0NcIhGh9M_wvbBQC5QCb0lICx7oguP1IrdnNGXs/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further excavation revealed what was left of several spider
carcasses and what looked to be additional fly pupae.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs_hih3WvPJwqYN7DQs0YMp0LPUJE38sIAe5FtvOFvuXNjgk_UTowwtexxVN7s4NWq_GD0G2J5wQIZ6fDC3RBcY5WjDuQ_57u9FswFSB22HFwIF_SzGUwv0NGcT0372DOyRZq9OuKJ4c/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs_hih3WvPJwqYN7DQs0YMp0LPUJE38sIAe5FtvOFvuXNjgk_UTowwtexxVN7s4NWq_GD0G2J5wQIZ6fDC3RBcY5WjDuQ_57u9FswFSB22HFwIF_SzGUwv0NGcT0372DOyRZq9OuKJ4c/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what was inside the chamber. There was evidence of three
Tachinid fly pupae. The larvae had feasted
on the spiders, leaving only empty husks behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yB8-SxDPIy0kNZoqeGOliKI5LFNvBWTcywlbSZSsyUCbPr-Czybt1lnN4F5Z4EXrf6iQJ_dGJovDyGtfTlAiFSBs3kgjf8l3gpAQMi2uuKSgWNEzaXz5L0E7fPEPKj2dxuD0hkBzk9A/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1009" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yB8-SxDPIy0kNZoqeGOliKI5LFNvBWTcywlbSZSsyUCbPr-Czybt1lnN4F5Z4EXrf6iQJ_dGJovDyGtfTlAiFSBs3kgjf8l3gpAQMi2uuKSgWNEzaXz5L0E7fPEPKj2dxuD0hkBzk9A/s400/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two pupae were intact, containing flies that would probably
soon be emerging. A single empty case was left by the fly I had observed
earlier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Pipe Organ Mud Daubers frequently construct their nests on
my porch. Some of the holes in this nest from last season were probably made by
emerging wasps, but I know that several were made by foraging woodpeckers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closer examination of the old nest reveals smaller holes
that are just the right size for an emerging fly. I imagine this fly and wasp a
game is a common occurrence on my front porch.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-85540808506095343822018-08-21T21:58:00.000-04:002018-08-21T21:58:11.758-04:002018 Teasel Pulling Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwGdmbR4IMmcspNN2z_6RErMlu224bzKsgJQiUosWKRYjfSHjkxdAmdR2CXABKkvZ1jLRRhueav2j4Vo5WPbRtUS_oI5hm9EZC0v9aYXmLyN1dIBuUGN2Yv347d_nbGABQ6-xWFrweqw/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwGdmbR4IMmcspNN2z_6RErMlu224bzKsgJQiUosWKRYjfSHjkxdAmdR2CXABKkvZ1jLRRhueav2j4Vo5WPbRtUS_oI5hm9EZC0v9aYXmLyN1dIBuUGN2Yv347d_nbGABQ6-xWFrweqw/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Teasel removal activities took so little time this year that
I can’t even describe the activity as an event.
I spent about four hours walking fields with a history of Teasel
infestation and pulled all of the Teasel plants I found. A total of about 12 acres was searched.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my second year of pulling Teasel plants. Prior to that I collected ripe seed heads on an annual basis. Last year’s effort occurred about a week
prior to expected seed ripening. This
year I began pulling when most plants were just beginning to bloom. Teasel plants stood above most other plants
in the field and were easy to see. The
Teasels were widely distributed across the field as individual plants. No clusters of plants were found.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLao0T2u1v5ooQCRiHladt8u36xJTA-NzwTkT3rwq_5cT33EqtRNEhmeDEn9SpbvhNF4NE320_4eeYeMC2HfXTnW_sSxIAFf9OFw8C7MsMxLJ8zi3pgBN5zpD3l3bMUzO5mRYIgAQ1sAo/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1467" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLao0T2u1v5ooQCRiHladt8u36xJTA-NzwTkT3rwq_5cT33EqtRNEhmeDEn9SpbvhNF4NE320_4eeYeMC2HfXTnW_sSxIAFf9OFw8C7MsMxLJ8zi3pgBN5zpD3l3bMUzO5mRYIgAQ1sAo/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is last year’s harvest of Teasel plants.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqbiPXiVe0TzSduvSbH2MkRqF-RA94nWKS23zrQVAGVp39h8i8pTO57fE82QauQ_sfLG1wIUtmz9vd8NADcslJKg1pFkPh2VY1zN9rVj1HBNkPQ4fNb56Bpl8s22JZToUGz8QGEP-oKk/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqbiPXiVe0TzSduvSbH2MkRqF-RA94nWKS23zrQVAGVp39h8i8pTO57fE82QauQ_sfLG1wIUtmz9vd8NADcslJKg1pFkPh2VY1zN9rVj1HBNkPQ4fNb56Bpl8s22JZToUGz8QGEP-oKk/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what I collected this year from the same area, a
significant reduction. There are always
a few plants that show up late in the season because they were slow to begin
growth or are recovering from injury. I’ll
walk the fields again in the next week or two to search for those late
developing plants, but I doubt if I’ll find many.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXwAOfGt1W2wiRga2o-bNGDLcNBDfBa1ijIouOJdE0E_VW8b-Cu_b_eZd-z6p4eJ01DA3H62WQzHcorwle8DWQlEWVSKU7HtlR641LLcycnilZgGUVluKlPUNrHScwLu1S_DhtCuhwuE/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXwAOfGt1W2wiRga2o-bNGDLcNBDfBa1ijIouOJdE0E_VW8b-Cu_b_eZd-z6p4eJ01DA3H62WQzHcorwle8DWQlEWVSKU7HtlR641LLcycnilZgGUVluKlPUNrHScwLu1S_DhtCuhwuE/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pulling is now my preferred method of dealing with Teasel
plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can begin pulling when field
vegetation is relatively short, so it’s easier to move around and find the
plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pulling the plant takes much
less time than removing all of the seed heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pulling before seeds are ripe eliminates the chance of spreading seed to
other parts of the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’ve
reached the point where annual Teasel control is going to take very little of
my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice to see the fields
devoid of invasive Teasel plants.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-42818269497533674312018-07-20T11:39:00.000-04:002018-07-20T11:39:24.239-04:00Eastern Hognose Snake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwtQvrzIyD7xtbLP-qt3jIxN8MsSrsqJJ0hPtouOCMx4ctPt1KpSeYkUIRdgjPQdqovZU1gi8NnvgByDnuXX7sFZAwrpx5jeO1iBYgQE_s5fGsEMYiZtnS9f2co9att2Oc3IZJaZkPOc/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwtQvrzIyD7xtbLP-qt3jIxN8MsSrsqJJ0hPtouOCMx4ctPt1KpSeYkUIRdgjPQdqovZU1gi8NnvgByDnuXX7sFZAwrpx5jeO1iBYgQE_s5fGsEMYiZtnS9f2co9att2Oc3IZJaZkPOc/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently had an interesting encounter with an Eastern Hognose
Snake. The snake had gotten itself caught in the mesh of a rat trap that had
been set in my barn. My primary concern was releasing the snake from the grip of
the wire before it injured itself, so I only took it couple of quick photos
before beginning the rescue operation. By snipping and bending a single wire, I
was able to quickly release the snake from the trap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_YDAsSOMm1ZcWriSn-nOAVenwJ9wvye0tPGLtyZFOXJxGFyViNI1CnukoRIljSEdzyrIM_OSwSAI3piAjT8FH9s-yecoA55KYPYovUsx1NkqqUh7Tyu_dj_5S_dmE1NTP9rtfBXTQOw/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_YDAsSOMm1ZcWriSn-nOAVenwJ9wvye0tPGLtyZFOXJxGFyViNI1CnukoRIljSEdzyrIM_OSwSAI3piAjT8FH9s-yecoA55KYPYovUsx1NkqqUh7Tyu_dj_5S_dmE1NTP9rtfBXTQOw/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hognose snakes have a wide repertoire of harmless defensive
actions that they employ when they feel threatened. This individual went
through the entire routine. It began by flattening of its head and neck in an
attempt to look more threatening. As I snipped the cage wire, the snake hissed
loudly and produced a guttural noise that sounded almost like a growl. It
struck repeatedly at my hands and arms, but its mouth was not open, so all I
felt were taps from its nose. As I slid the snake’s body out of the trap, it
imitated a death spasm and released a highly pungent poop that splattered on
everything nearby. It was an unfortunate circumstance that, due to an ongoing
severe thunderstorm, I was performing the rescue operation on the covered front
porch of the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrqzGEbZlmW5r0fNdedhPbBZ3gXj_anNzoxObt1MxPEQRTim_YWO9h3ad6ORuQW8k_wDc7b4PJ1kIKSE5Z-1I3ZGRLIUlsW8WRU8ueKWOZHeOknNsUzlQsEfK1hWu9yWwkKZ92j3EqQM/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrqzGEbZlmW5r0fNdedhPbBZ3gXj_anNzoxObt1MxPEQRTim_YWO9h3ad6ORuQW8k_wDc7b4PJ1kIKSE5Z-1I3ZGRLIUlsW8WRU8ueKWOZHeOknNsUzlQsEfK1hWu9yWwkKZ92j3EqQM/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next stage in the snake’s act was to play dead. It hung
limply from my hand as I took it out for release next to the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa0HuiTkIg7Be4fKERxEYhySGBiwdbXidEI6r1joEuLC1DeRfs5kC3Emz-Ing_FKOB1GEWhRV05GVETnPvbhD67JgDq_HPPK0He25EA5cs0Kn4LOedeMmZ15XaYXgo3s1LSNI5tFdCso/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa0HuiTkIg7Be4fKERxEYhySGBiwdbXidEI6r1joEuLC1DeRfs5kC3Emz-Ing_FKOB1GEWhRV05GVETnPvbhD67JgDq_HPPK0He25EA5cs0Kn4LOedeMmZ15XaYXgo3s1LSNI5tFdCso/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon being set down, the snake rolled onto its back with
mouth agape. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxuBTR2Yhj5NkqUXk7NWjyJ4sTcuuiBlKq84TchBHSjHyAPzMtefuZf9LsNGwzWreAnRa3CcXMHtehZLmW9FA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above video shows the snake repeatedly rolling over onto
its back after being placed belly down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT4OUPzy8cndEddDCqU0d29h9nH8R-mTfYRjkw64ht-YRSop7bgBYlXw3TlmZQSRUYu6wKsa1pGtDiCqi380niGiEVomohN0cys64wjTupxhnO12_xL6EOeV2oQoXDuB6Uaj1_vmTo4s/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT4OUPzy8cndEddDCqU0d29h9nH8R-mTfYRjkw64ht-YRSop7bgBYlXw3TlmZQSRUYu6wKsa1pGtDiCqi380niGiEVomohN0cys64wjTupxhnO12_xL6EOeV2oQoXDuB6Uaj1_vmTo4s/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I left the snake draped around a piece of wood, upright but
still looking very much dead. When the thunderstorm abated a few minutes later,
I went out to check and found that the snake had moved on. Hognose snakes feed
on toads. It’s for this reason that I have been constructing breeding pools in
hopes of increasing the toad population. More toads mean more Hognose Snakes, and
that’s what I would like to see.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-58026092174865913502018-07-12T16:43:00.000-04:002018-07-12T16:43:01.690-04:00Edwards' Hairstreak Butterfly Census 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs3uDv9KFaTwCVlH7YuDZA5xibs_j8cxk3AUcHrqNOj2_pV4DIWEBadYZFjBmryKqiIEPc8zbe8OkVqDpxeItWixS5bugwS-fbt0Cp3I9hx25OiPATg4uk36qEbYDcq_SnWoqw8HtKt0/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs3uDv9KFaTwCVlH7YuDZA5xibs_j8cxk3AUcHrqNOj2_pV4DIWEBadYZFjBmryKqiIEPc8zbe8OkVqDpxeItWixS5bugwS-fbt0Cp3I9hx25OiPATg4uk36qEbYDcq_SnWoqw8HtKt0/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I don’t actually count the butterflies or produce any
type of tally, my annual observations of the Edwards’ Hairstreak Butterfly can’t
really be called a census. What I do is
search appropriate habitat at Blue Jay Barrens to get an idea of current size
and distribution of this uncommon butterfly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplSkq2QQiuhAMFrtNqtEXKMiQSbbvMPW4mV66jjhRQYRBiCnbDxCMXGgxBWGUDLvpQc7KBCaNOTZyA2Rr9XRc96TXYE-muAs5jZ5BPEADPvz5hBQ0iXUfmzifq6LaqhBoOeRkNu8IC2A/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplSkq2QQiuhAMFrtNqtEXKMiQSbbvMPW4mV66jjhRQYRBiCnbDxCMXGgxBWGUDLvpQc7KBCaNOTZyA2Rr9XRc96TXYE-muAs5jZ5BPEADPvz5hBQ0iXUfmzifq6LaqhBoOeRkNu8IC2A/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each year, I find butterflies in new locations and in
concentrations larger than the year before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl93v-dXLlpcesdP_rqx1fdAVyU40ZN7-d4UbrkWupyAM2IRby6_QYxYURJJWO4iZeMBpkz7Rtr8QZ8gf0aqZK4H01qQZcr5ibhqXNgXfPgvOB_KxgPiLhnDarBL3ZFtUcI6aWQAFrzfM/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl93v-dXLlpcesdP_rqx1fdAVyU40ZN7-d4UbrkWupyAM2IRby6_QYxYURJJWO4iZeMBpkz7Rtr8QZ8gf0aqZK4H01qQZcr5ibhqXNgXfPgvOB_KxgPiLhnDarBL3ZFtUcI6aWQAFrzfM/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edwards’ Hairstreak Butterflies were quite rare when I first
surveyed this property 33 years ago. It
took years before I found my first specimen.
Subsequent annual searches resulted in sightings of just a few
individuals or, in some years, no sightings at all. Now I can find that many or more sharing a
single flower cluster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhETaRk2-A0jougDUSTpFUsM04xpYsdHdrSiMtw6vkUsRfrHaIJTiUPpk-3AHDeT80hp0JEis2Pl8bYQJLZFLi_mAnmm9O7d05Ww4uRX17yMGEDKyncG8l9MfHGBe-vD7MQxeutZ9pdt4/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhETaRk2-A0jougDUSTpFUsM04xpYsdHdrSiMtw6vkUsRfrHaIJTiUPpk-3AHDeT80hp0JEis2Pl8bYQJLZFLi_mAnmm9O7d05Ww4uRX17yMGEDKyncG8l9MfHGBe-vD7MQxeutZ9pdt4/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my first management projects was to make the property
more suitable to Edwards’ Hairstreaks. I
cleared Eastern Red Cedar from the fields to promote prairie like habitat, and
encouraged the growth of Blackjack Oak, the Edwards’ Hairstreak preferred larval
food. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaIV4gE-X5p2uNTC_PJ9ejP7e1Zo35wjweor1nDj3ZgRpCY1nS8eiqF9vSZfhMi-Xnf15a2bu-sGM2wFSwAfgUKbPCbAWRvIAOyVUosfB25PLV9IAbqT2ZGlZ0h8_LT-h3BK6wNpsb9A/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaIV4gE-X5p2uNTC_PJ9ejP7e1Zo35wjweor1nDj3ZgRpCY1nS8eiqF9vSZfhMi-Xnf15a2bu-sGM2wFSwAfgUKbPCbAWRvIAOyVUosfB25PLV9IAbqT2ZGlZ0h8_LT-h3BK6wNpsb9A/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As habitat improved, the number of butterflies increased. Nectar plants also responded to the
management efforts and increased in number.
Butterfly Weed, a favorite of the hairstreaks, is now common in most
areas containing butterfly colonies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj44kWnjWyNfeWYu9s0q7PFqfS3Ge0aacSxUSibhoEaDvRJb4pLWS6HcqT9FkZrl1tb1zw5rRVZAzoa4j6ASAPHs02N6DL56LPy7BBKFkVcWQIGDSKdfDm7b9RQQtwWdWi_W2x6c5vYU/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj44kWnjWyNfeWYu9s0q7PFqfS3Ge0aacSxUSibhoEaDvRJb4pLWS6HcqT9FkZrl1tb1zw5rRVZAzoa4j6ASAPHs02N6DL56LPy7BBKFkVcWQIGDSKdfDm7b9RQQtwWdWi_W2x6c5vYU/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few years ago it was uncommon to see more than a single
Edwards’ Hairstreak on a clump of Butterfly Weed flowers. Now the butterflies visit the blooms in
masses. There are 10 butterflies clearly
visible nectaring on Butterfly Weed in the above photo. There are still suitable areas not yet being
utilized by the butterflies, so butterfly numbers have the potential to
increase for many years yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4TJ2OgxmW93secHjg2-yzcBjUhhhyyJlMTlnvYOX89W8KnM-CwEGeAhyc5nf03TsLhkGDDom7BJiTdDlzzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above video shows some Edwards’ Hairstreak nectaring
action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few Honeybees are also trying
grab some of the nectar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near the end of
the video, one butterfly appears to headbutt another away from his flower
cluster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This video can be viewed on
YouTube by clicking <a href="https://youtu.be/aorQVn2J1FM" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-12759165232944713232018-07-08T19:33:00.000-04:002018-07-08T19:33:03.853-04:00Cycnia collaris Brood 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidAi-uruRoRQ10gl_MbbkOjLkb8wQk5qfG2O7s7pMDSnaQyCS3z4jkIASIAnmsXSLhitKdUtBJpsiIzgCEdaNHBBHMYuINal10dDF_Ht_G6dxeq3dywUw9AoBTDY6KZ1eGXnwGYa1Bew/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1451" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidAi-uruRoRQ10gl_MbbkOjLkb8wQk5qfG2O7s7pMDSnaQyCS3z4jkIASIAnmsXSLhitKdUtBJpsiIzgCEdaNHBBHMYuINal10dDF_Ht_G6dxeq3dywUw9AoBTDY6KZ1eGXnwGYa1Bew/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another batch of <i>Cycnia collaris</i>, formerly <i>Cycnia
inopinatus</i>, is munching its way through the clump of Common Milkweed beside my
front porch. I’m assuming these larvae
to be the offspring of the brood that showed up in May and went into pupation a
few weeks ago. That would make these larvae brood two .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfZfI3s5XBqdXsQ4waV7iGMaPG0x6SWLxDXDRqDYXwethSJ843BdRVs8yichtu0-KrVXksQY0F4PyXVtfDknEtj5I7ouwfHf6dX6fPS5kn5UT787ZxDwjFVqEcaYS5-gZqEiHGXTRMDU/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfZfI3s5XBqdXsQ4waV7iGMaPG0x6SWLxDXDRqDYXwethSJ843BdRVs8yichtu0-KrVXksQY0F4PyXVtfDknEtj5I7ouwfHf6dX6fPS5kn5UT787ZxDwjFVqEcaYS5-gZqEiHGXTRMDU/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More than a few of the brood one Cycnia
larvae must have avoided playing host to Tachinid fly offspring and survived to adulthood. I counted 69 larvae of this State Endangered
moth species feeding on a single milkweed plant. Additional larvae were present on many other
milkweed plants close by. As with the
previous brood, it appears that the adults emerged from the leaf litter at the
base of the plants and deposited a nice batch of eggs on plants readily
accessible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbm9S7rribXmmhk0YHbN-MRV1AARZoR-8B7z7pGbWL4yYvK3hXqxqnVwqOk8abrUNQoD2PUwkV_hQ88QYphELnFwGFIgOdQcuGnctWYhYN9JbfWFLQ0s9zjMTj8AqPH8dVLHubWnTxR8/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbm9S7rribXmmhk0YHbN-MRV1AARZoR-8B7z7pGbWL4yYvK3hXqxqnVwqOk8abrUNQoD2PUwkV_hQ88QYphELnFwGFIgOdQcuGnctWYhYN9JbfWFLQ0s9zjMTj8AqPH8dVLHubWnTxR8/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Larvae just recently moved onto the leaf on the left side of
the photo. They made the move after
reducing the leaf on the right to a bare skeleton.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfleabxWF-6e-LRBocVm0yiJ5gYDyiXJ8k7pb8fke2PvVrRNuhN907Rv0fcCWDRA3Wk3C8RBZsS-TnbhboVfq3gCUrwCMdyHf1PLqotGo2r81yKWsmNyiF3xLVtSNO1A0f_2PoM_yz2Lo/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfleabxWF-6e-LRBocVm0yiJ5gYDyiXJ8k7pb8fke2PvVrRNuhN907Rv0fcCWDRA3Wk3C8RBZsS-TnbhboVfq3gCUrwCMdyHf1PLqotGo2r81yKWsmNyiF3xLVtSNO1A0f_2PoM_yz2Lo/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s not much tender young growth on the milkweed plants
right now. This doesn’t seem to slow
down the Cycnia larvae at all. The
smallest larvae appear to have no trouble dining on the oldest and toughest of
leaves. The thick leaves allow the
larvae to eat a lot without moving very far.
This sometimes results in a frass chain forming behind the larva.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgAQP0RsIuDgno46W009P-rwbCH5yqs6oLiUJDHOAOfHfNTZtdndItBKCP3prXubtf4nQ0sQSeNUbYnkT981-EfaXZmz7wYxP-9wZtn2HNUShohkrMzFrkLjjxJQlJg9lFXVRZcnvHgE/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgAQP0RsIuDgno46W009P-rwbCH5yqs6oLiUJDHOAOfHfNTZtdndItBKCP3prXubtf4nQ0sQSeNUbYnkT981-EfaXZmz7wYxP-9wZtn2HNUShohkrMzFrkLjjxJQlJg9lFXVRZcnvHgE/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several severe storms have knocked down the milkweeds during
the last few weeks. Some plants have
given up trying to right themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7QWIzf4LBBbtShiRLe-thxwYFimVr9fbVf_hFD104jpaAJfOyQl7rvqAktUPbL53PSW3a9oLC8V9DlzbEKWpsODre-NiiNSlImIx0A1KdhsMnaNodTSZ-IOmZ37TImcPticioLhXink/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7QWIzf4LBBbtShiRLe-thxwYFimVr9fbVf_hFD104jpaAJfOyQl7rvqAktUPbL53PSW3a9oLC8V9DlzbEKWpsODre-NiiNSlImIx0A1KdhsMnaNodTSZ-IOmZ37TImcPticioLhXink/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Cycnia females found the horizontal milkweeds to be just
as desirable as those in a vertical position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The larvae are quickly stripping the edible material from these
leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having this action occurring
right outside my front door has provided an ideal opportunity to learn something
about the habits of this rare species.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-17838295327322330322018-06-17T19:05:00.001-04:002018-06-17T19:05:52.831-04:00Unexpected Cycnia and Tachinid Flies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mAl2oygyWpuy3qr-qBVe6LNJpUpcnL2LMozEHhNjUDGD7fXP8p9XyPnRvrSZ6SWCpffmh1bR5_onE32RtlmJXyfwnbqBU00bihpAY7TaDk7-dDiLQdHFHOKhF1vm6jOmYHE6TBvpisM/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mAl2oygyWpuy3qr-qBVe6LNJpUpcnL2LMozEHhNjUDGD7fXP8p9XyPnRvrSZ6SWCpffmh1bR5_onE32RtlmJXyfwnbqBU00bihpAY7TaDk7-dDiLQdHFHOKhF1vm6jOmYHE6TBvpisM/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <i>Cycnia collaris </i>larvae have disappeared, presumably to
complete the next phase of their life cycle.
It was a lot of fun to have the opportunity to observe their behavior on
a daily basis, even though some of the observations were rather disturbing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9MfqgsxG0_bL42WmTLNrqA6KAkHyxKOOFhHxi1VsrQf22DTbhneCFn7cIfArlyuoE2J8St0C7paG7r42uqJHoLQ1_d691EtPL4VkPVZC15RlKGq6ZgrCqO8o1-Paud3f5wBO5G6VNts/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9MfqgsxG0_bL42WmTLNrqA6KAkHyxKOOFhHxi1VsrQf22DTbhneCFn7cIfArlyuoE2J8St0C7paG7r42uqJHoLQ1_d691EtPL4VkPVZC15RlKGq6ZgrCqO8o1-Paud3f5wBO5G6VNts/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 70 or 80 larvae that began their lives crowded in a
small clump of Common Milkweed plants, soon became mobile and began to
disperse. Larvae of a size approximating
half of their potential full grown dimensions were found wandering as far as 50
feet from their birth plants. In all
cases there were milkweed plants in the direction of their travels. It wasn’t long before all larvae were absent
from the original plants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXohm3bQz6QlA255gCCsDfqGEezG9aqWoBUi_kcX0RCXSVffYORDyvndHR5Zj7bZNVkZd5JTlcvTICcZVbQaIt5jODmDzSPkBD-QTX-u0HO7IrTJt5q2V-6mZIsk-SaqsylzendA1WAWw/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXohm3bQz6QlA255gCCsDfqGEezG9aqWoBUi_kcX0RCXSVffYORDyvndHR5Zj7bZNVkZd5JTlcvTICcZVbQaIt5jODmDzSPkBD-QTX-u0HO7IrTJt5q2V-6mZIsk-SaqsylzendA1WAWw/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their dispersal pattern spread the larvae out, but instead
of having a couple of larvae on each plant in the vicinity, they clustered into
small groups.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHkLBFjXkaK_dnvL5RzWjcKUXUINKs60g-sQb0Kv1SdL4cpoY6xHn4zPbB9_ZtucyKlAw_EL8L4vXq7y3jB4i4rYssZk5xVDU8R7xLkUrT9F7PxO0rw_Nuk5GwkFia7dP0CWYqh6tWqI/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1050" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHkLBFjXkaK_dnvL5RzWjcKUXUINKs60g-sQb0Kv1SdL4cpoY6xHn4zPbB9_ZtucyKlAw_EL8L4vXq7y3jB4i4rYssZk5xVDU8R7xLkUrT9F7PxO0rw_Nuk5GwkFia7dP0CWYqh6tWqI/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once they got settled into their new locations, I began
seeing some ominous ornamentation on many of the larvae. On closer examination, each white spot was
identified as the egg of a predator.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlVD7_m1Qu0IkaHbfMlXyhnkyCznNqNKGqwOrrNua8d2T64a0sxJ-RzIZ9gO0hvL2WAsRxULzj8QVsdWEF3GsjL7SiqkawVfsNwKoge4dolKNT8JZA9mAt7XQ0POFU8r_Wr_unJaNVrg/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1002" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlVD7_m1Qu0IkaHbfMlXyhnkyCznNqNKGqwOrrNua8d2T64a0sxJ-RzIZ9gO0hvL2WAsRxULzj8QVsdWEF3GsjL7SiqkawVfsNwKoge4dolKNT8JZA9mAt7XQ0POFU8r_Wr_unJaNVrg/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the culprit, a Tachinid Fly, a species that lays its
eggs on the bodies of other insects.
Observers of Monarch butterfly caterpillars are familiar with this
species and its ability to decimate caterpillar populations on milkweed
plants. Fly larvae hatch from the eggs and immediately enter the body of the caterpillar, where they will feed until
they are mature enough to pupate. Caterpillars
do not survive the experience. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQytpeN8ha0VZ4gUpp4-AzDNdXdfjv3N-OQM_Ih2EXvr6jojFwHGvZY_250uOAHXGAPZ3MxlESJ-38ovc1fPBrfDWoA49I_bezO8sw8NpbpD7YxZJItdFXkbBIYx2mBxl0noex2qzEWBE/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQytpeN8ha0VZ4gUpp4-AzDNdXdfjv3N-OQM_Ih2EXvr6jojFwHGvZY_250uOAHXGAPZ3MxlESJ-38ovc1fPBrfDWoA49I_bezO8sw8NpbpD7YxZJItdFXkbBIYx2mBxl0noex2qzEWBE/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most affected larvae displayed one or two eggs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKroBpbtLTA9L1RZ5TRyd9mT1CifUI57C6X_6hnvFvPEH28XSRfUPMnZomF5ixHOHJWHbF58RaTdkByMxjE1DGOM7F-cOnW_-7x55eTgdL9E_A2aNhWSBNNXE21q295anscpheX3-2hM/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1094" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKroBpbtLTA9L1RZ5TRyd9mT1CifUI57C6X_6hnvFvPEH28XSRfUPMnZomF5ixHOHJWHbF58RaTdkByMxjE1DGOM7F-cOnW_-7x55eTgdL9E_A2aNhWSBNNXE21q295anscpheX3-2hM/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rarely, I found larvae carrying three eggs. About half of the larvae I inspected were
carrying fly eggs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyCael8g0LTD0CWZLs-Usvk-6egRte3BCfYJoYbahL-E069u6vYuLhnnI2D7Yzdo2A5vAiJqxoDOlJzFGjPJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The video shows a fly searching the leaf for larvae.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the fly investigates two of the
three larvae found beneath the leaf, it laid no eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I later checked, these three larvae were
already carrying eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the fly
senses larvae that are already infested, and passes without leaving additional
eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an earlier encounter I watched
a fly chase a Cycnia larvae that was running across the surface of a leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fly was approaching from the right and
the larva kept making quick directional changes to the left. When the fly was
within range it leapt on the Cycnia larva’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost immediately, the Cycnia larva snapped
into a C shape and popped off the leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It ended up in the water, so I scooped it out and gave it a close
examination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two fly eggs were attached
just behind the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am assuming that
one or both of these eggs had just been attached.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-76612915567984802152018-05-21T22:47:00.000-04:002018-05-21T22:47:24.010-04:00Common Milkweed Hosting Larvae of Unexpected Tiger Moth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KNAHH6XS8mA5vLtX_3aXhLI6HrM-RPXJFzjIDslEljTY635HPWayv-fCw4nQWoCZ9Hwt4WeV1nbPEjKjhE5qlmRn9gAFlnJv6VHXt17nlAiAHqUetJImTkC6K5pshK__RrMI_Ila6_E/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1088" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KNAHH6XS8mA5vLtX_3aXhLI6HrM-RPXJFzjIDslEljTY635HPWayv-fCw4nQWoCZ9Hwt4WeV1nbPEjKjhE5qlmRn9gAFlnJv6VHXt17nlAiAHqUetJImTkC6K5pshK__RrMI_Ila6_E/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first encounter with the Blue Jay Barrens population of
the Ohio endangered Unexpected Tiger Moth, <i>Cycnia collaris</i>, formerly <i>Cycnia
inopinatus</i>, was seven years ago. My
encounters with this species have increased each year since then, and this year
is no exception.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP1kjH8Vbsau1KGqLn6zzgD_OwZAOhAC4vQHY2EHBZ-JT-dFUi6b6O-fO_E5Ywprvjm23nRRk-dKHzDTps71-4_9A5rDX0wM-lN8cnalHN5sOM3BtSdY1ETPdH7wUiqj976GcvlPx1JY/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP1kjH8Vbsau1KGqLn6zzgD_OwZAOhAC4vQHY2EHBZ-JT-dFUi6b6O-fO_E5Ywprvjm23nRRk-dKHzDTps71-4_9A5rDX0wM-lN8cnalHN5sOM3BtSdY1ETPdH7wUiqj976GcvlPx1JY/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unexpected Tiger Moths are a milkweed dependent
species. Last fall, a few larvae were
found on Common Milkweed, <i>Asclepias syriaca</i>, growing in the narrow strip between
my driveway and Water Garden. When
larvae of this species are ready to pupate, they move into the plant litter at
the base of the host plant and pupate near the soil surface. I am assuming that this is exactly what occurred
last September. This spring, the adults
emerged and apparently laid masses of eggs on the young milkweed plants
emerging at the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN3uQud9jR6FgBB4SAjkSIsNwAxLp8kJWGBEC5M4FuC4F5-TgY8t5iPlDGrfrI3UKBVGTdJBHlgE8XiIkWC6y0lddDOobQez2aDXJKvt1GlGN7fSMvyEUA2mEPpJ0VIgwit4h0nYt_6s/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="822" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN3uQud9jR6FgBB4SAjkSIsNwAxLp8kJWGBEC5M4FuC4F5-TgY8t5iPlDGrfrI3UKBVGTdJBHlgE8XiIkWC6y0lddDOobQez2aDXJKvt1GlGN7fSMvyEUA2mEPpJ0VIgwit4h0nYt_6s/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The larvae are present in numbers many times greater than
what I saw last year. The amount of
plant damage occurring from feeding larvae is readily apparent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRQ8ZpOL4g_DvVwooOVfjT_6dOEBmqJu2RryTG3l8awKAt3tqfyl4r8LWs_SyMMv77qFiMVWzpBboMPak0g91itCcdBOQUL-oO3-n-YIbjNA-p-PjlTFZENmzimtATbdMPxsJGrzkJas/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRQ8ZpOL4g_DvVwooOVfjT_6dOEBmqJu2RryTG3l8awKAt3tqfyl4r8LWs_SyMMv77qFiMVWzpBboMPak0g91itCcdBOQUL-oO3-n-YIbjNA-p-PjlTFZENmzimtATbdMPxsJGrzkJas/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the feeding is occurring on the young leaves at the
growing tip of the plant. There are
about 10 larvae working on the particular plant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DOOwfCcS4kBI2l1S0eMUkjlEJJMwNzdcYRbgEbhpDjaQdr8AFU9vVwKcq3xmUNnW8It1lQ2VX1ZDLI8_3vvdXl_IYOkbMgzI5gJJ-0vFWFvZehc9TFa2fF3vZ_L5eVQ6kO1e6SrIXJs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DOOwfCcS4kBI2l1S0eMUkjlEJJMwNzdcYRbgEbhpDjaQdr8AFU9vVwKcq3xmUNnW8It1lQ2VX1ZDLI8_3vvdXl_IYOkbMgzI5gJJ-0vFWFvZehc9TFa2fF3vZ_L5eVQ6kO1e6SrIXJs/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plants with more larvae show more leaf damage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXLXPuy4lgGPXj2WzlXGKzuo9un85XXx8EUFib8RQAtD2lh3jRrBf3YudOc-YtghoJBt7vL27Kuta3rRE5UGvYbFVr9y5i5wDCTUfOxfXxrqqG7Hk3nyR1eUJ1beH3Qs7ultVB-q2fc0/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXLXPuy4lgGPXj2WzlXGKzuo9un85XXx8EUFib8RQAtD2lh3jRrBf3YudOc-YtghoJBt7vL27Kuta3rRE5UGvYbFVr9y5i5wDCTUfOxfXxrqqG7Hk3nyR1eUJ1beH3Qs7ultVB-q2fc0/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are at least 20 larvae working on this plant. The milkweed can’t grow quickly enough to
stay ahead of these ravenous caterpillars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNT4Jggy7jOEzLzeABEbU0Rjefc53JHeKdbbIb6daEKZHbM5L-ywHeRataEEHaDvnywdYnHGkY_2OBCKPw-_aDCMnia8EwxAiLVavefdRJYNgR2SOCQSieBF47JwV24GbO0OHRRS3ivs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNT4Jggy7jOEzLzeABEbU0Rjefc53JHeKdbbIb6daEKZHbM5L-ywHeRataEEHaDvnywdYnHGkY_2OBCKPw-_aDCMnia8EwxAiLVavefdRJYNgR2SOCQSieBF47JwV24GbO0OHRRS3ivs/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the larvae are moving out to begin feeding on the
older leaves. This intensive feeding won’t
harm the milkweed. This batch of larvae,
the first of two yearly broods, will soon mature and leave the plant to pupate. The plant will recover and be ready to
hopefully host another batch of larvae in August.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWJDS-UnnFrT2WOHtoQ-tTCe0OZxFyvHZU4OChVIZgaMlBXgoAehkL_Yo343MMr0hfBnEyz0BKMtA1zpPe2g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The video shows feeding activity in one of the areas of
highest larvae concentration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Click <a href="https://youtu.be/JV2UrtU0xrA" target="_blank">HERE</a>
to view the video on YouTube, which usually provides a clearer image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Click <a href="https://bluejaybarrens.blogspot.com/search/label/Cycnia%20inopinatus" target="_blank">HERE</a> to view earlier posts concerning
this species.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-8290972018189144982018-04-28T10:50:00.001-04:002018-04-28T10:50:22.472-04:00The Barrens Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOofz7nkQpz6PDdjlnZROrAWSYQBJrsJkquvGuPP8aWAEar8DrBSkXG7ftYO5EnidS9gSt7SBMMksaVIaoaVR26kl5DYEx4lOtyXMgC6P5ZVVwYP0peReUDj2qUCJSdnYMSxsF6uTJC-s/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOofz7nkQpz6PDdjlnZROrAWSYQBJrsJkquvGuPP8aWAEar8DrBSkXG7ftYO5EnidS9gSt7SBMMksaVIaoaVR26kl5DYEx4lOtyXMgC6P5ZVVwYP0peReUDj2qUCJSdnYMSxsF6uTJC-s/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Eighteen years ago, as the first act of creating a water garden, I
dug a large hole near my front porch. Approximately 55 cubic yards of material
was removed from the hole and placed in a pile here, near the east side of my
barn. First came slabs of sod a couple
of inches thick that were placed in the upper left-hand corner the above photo.
Next came the removal of a half foot of clay subsoil that found a permanent
residence in the upper center of the photo. Following that, I chiseled through
2 feet of fractured limestone bedrock and added that to my spoil pile. Over the
years the material has settled down to become a solid fixture in the landscape.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_lUpcVJWZKTsc-uSLgND58hv85q-xCsoxAw5wYUubCK5OcFRjpo95vxK0OUFM6XvpmjNEMk2K-rWxeEQoIIA3L3utzmAHjvUaHyxIjRlTtsnvt6G0ygbnGhOipBQLqy40UtDA53kHTs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_lUpcVJWZKTsc-uSLgND58hv85q-xCsoxAw5wYUubCK5OcFRjpo95vxK0OUFM6XvpmjNEMk2K-rWxeEQoIIA3L3utzmAHjvUaHyxIjRlTtsnvt6G0ygbnGhOipBQLqy40UtDA53kHTs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After several years, the gravel area began to closely
resemble the gravelly barrens found tucked away in some of the steeper hillside
prairies of Blue Jay Barrens. I then began considering the idea of introducing
into this gravel pile seed from some of the rarer winter annuals found growing
in the gravelly barrens. My last year’s crop of captive Leavenworthia uniflora
and Draba cuneifolia produced such an abundance of seed that I had plenty to
invest in this new project that I am calling the Barrens Garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWX4s3vSC8nNxMg22xoUtu5ejpIUvnCPNouunwKWVl3h9JT3jDtNTNMlQlZsywxSmJPxuGYmAH0rtjCH7WB68AK1XsuqAjQJUeJ1T2VGOevZkvu4e2exmPER9GvS9pxiyYyk9yACTVT8/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWX4s3vSC8nNxMg22xoUtu5ejpIUvnCPNouunwKWVl3h9JT3jDtNTNMlQlZsywxSmJPxuGYmAH0rtjCH7WB68AK1XsuqAjQJUeJ1T2VGOevZkvu4e2exmPER9GvS9pxiyYyk9yACTVT8/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In July 2017, I scattered seed over the entire spoil
pile. The results did not disappoint.
Shown above are some of the hundreds of rare Draba cuneifolia that resulted from that
seeding.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDuJMY4ZLN-3vDiXGWH22rW0QdFOeY3Nfn488kTyQ2qdIHjYjB5G3n4OwKn6rAd3u09YOYDWCRAYPrxpnujH5n0y8uYglWiEY20QxTe6sLSfXyRXGZ06Qukx4M-BTqXk3AQHMFZZX99U/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1506" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDuJMY4ZLN-3vDiXGWH22rW0QdFOeY3Nfn488kTyQ2qdIHjYjB5G3n4OwKn6rAd3u09YOYDWCRAYPrxpnujH5n0y8uYglWiEY20QxTe6sLSfXyRXGZ06Qukx4M-BTqXk3AQHMFZZX99U/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drabas and Leavenworthia are both members of the mustard
family and their flowers show the standard four petal arrangement. These plants
are annuals and will not survive past Midsummer. All of the plant’s energy goes
into the production of flowers and seeds. Seeds that fall to the ground in June
will begin to germinate in October or November. Rosettes of basal leaves will
form and grow through the winter. Flower stalks and blooms typically arrive in
April.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzChZTdO0Ny-41ZqXZ1zQcyY0_1BglvRGc7uJC1uDy9eu2eQSW9onTYLfTRBKuFNGWIuXR_0bg_iHJS3wLsL3QoZ_stIBggAQBfYgN_XoljdOoBmKOQ5xvWU5Y9UIuM3IFzMS_POnhVh8/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1197" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzChZTdO0Ny-41ZqXZ1zQcyY0_1BglvRGc7uJC1uDy9eu2eQSW9onTYLfTRBKuFNGWIuXR_0bg_iHJS3wLsL3QoZ_stIBggAQBfYgN_XoljdOoBmKOQ5xvWU5Y9UIuM3IFzMS_POnhVh8/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Leavenworthia uniflora usually follows the same growth
pattern of the Draba, although a greater proportion of the seeds tend to wait
until February to germinate.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Lb1sK6N_zT_xVbm2pGoAnmA6TDiNYIiqy83emoN5uwj8NdtDN38vN9AQvIaL5eDW3pGaUEOqqMyefxCvTLXFZ2uSu1VqQ0Y6pRIctOv16s2dm1ro5SIBdRZcwBqhtv9Ah86AfklwYHM/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Lb1sK6N_zT_xVbm2pGoAnmA6TDiNYIiqy83emoN5uwj8NdtDN38vN9AQvIaL5eDW3pGaUEOqqMyefxCvTLXFZ2uSu1VqQ0Y6pRIctOv16s2dm1ro5SIBdRZcwBqhtv9Ah86AfklwYHM/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In other wildflower gardens I’ve created, my primary problem
is the habit of plants developing much more robustly than they do in their
natural setting. It appears that I’ve managed to provide conditions in this
Barrens Garden that closely mimic the natural conditions. Above are three
Leavenworthia uniflora bracketing a standard dime. The basal rosettes are
hardly much larger than that ten cent piece.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLWGcyFb3-gM6Kh4Rm3NkSL4SJhKQv5hu-mcQ4BblaybNpO3BOdE2MFh7cIAvo1Eap77MNGUBjR8OuiD97oNLPXjFKNrtTgk9z746PST5_OMq3-KvG3TMp1sgZZIZ4F05jO97T9sRnBs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLWGcyFb3-gM6Kh4Rm3NkSL4SJhKQv5hu-mcQ4BblaybNpO3BOdE2MFh7cIAvo1Eap77MNGUBjR8OuiD97oNLPXjFKNrtTgk9z746PST5_OMq3-KvG3TMp1sgZZIZ4F05jO97T9sRnBs/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s that same dime beside two Leavenworthia uniflora
growing in the natural barrens. The size of the plants is almost identical to
that found in my Barrens Garden. I have high hopes that this project is going
to prove to be a long term success.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-19966852977251687122018-04-03T16:28:00.000-04:002018-04-03T16:28:24.506-04:00Split Season Wood Frog Breeding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTnm2ij-ot3q79R3yFwoJMmuhR_AeuXWzP1v_6xarhvh1mGw9ENOsV2O9FHPXc1l2aw94qqOZzUcJvtZU8fAtzACbCioKyO-rEMZjYGR7Kz5otc2g2wSwc0175oQv51_JSmWFala4cqI/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTnm2ij-ot3q79R3yFwoJMmuhR_AeuXWzP1v_6xarhvh1mGw9ENOsV2O9FHPXc1l2aw94qqOZzUcJvtZU8fAtzACbCioKyO-rEMZjYGR7Kz5otc2g2wSwc0175oQv51_JSmWFala4cqI/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During roughly the third week of February, the Wood Frogs of
Blue Jay Barrens swarmed into the pond for their annual mating event. The behavior
is typical for that time of year; however, weather conditions and the intensity
of the mating activities were not what I have come to expect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 17 – Six inches of snow falls. February 18 – Temperatures
struggle to reach the low 40s. Snow melts slowly and is nearly gone by evening.
Wood Frogs begin to enter the pond. February 19 – High temperature reaches
75°F. Wood Frogs continue courtship activities through the day and into the
night. February 20 – High temperature reaches 80°F. Wood Frog courtship
activities can almost be described as frantic and continue through the day.
February 21 – high temperature around 35°F. Three inches of snow falls. Wood Frogs
have disappeared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vLz7jSE4bXioGFaD9L5uIcv1bIBANh1zUXuBIBRIzoAFrYR6hb2FPhSo9wyHbhS0xNqPq4xTur3H5aCsWNKWRLulxPOxQ97fMPfXVRUVubRniUyPgjW2vPqFk1iiUQjQg2-ffZqD3wk/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vLz7jSE4bXioGFaD9L5uIcv1bIBANh1zUXuBIBRIzoAFrYR6hb2FPhSo9wyHbhS0xNqPq4xTur3H5aCsWNKWRLulxPOxQ97fMPfXVRUVubRniUyPgjW2vPqFk1iiUQjQg2-ffZqD3wk/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On March 28 Wood Frogs returned to the pond and were heard
calling for the next three nights. Weather
was rainy and cool through the period. This
is the first time Wood Frog breeding activities divided in this manner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The swimming frogs seem to pull in their eyeballs when swimming
with head submerged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz6CLpCFq8q_hdRjfw9fRYMCI7KXqSJl3qTXej3Z3UM0b1n9avsyZWrRGkWk9hV6NG6jRc-ddnFa32PBW-fy8JXoUk_wGyoajyoc3wvFFPPoev4s80BnlyOulh5sUb1Ot9WUo8CgsLj4/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1498" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz6CLpCFq8q_hdRjfw9fRYMCI7KXqSJl3qTXej3Z3UM0b1n9avsyZWrRGkWk9hV6NG6jRc-ddnFa32PBW-fy8JXoUk_wGyoajyoc3wvFFPPoev4s80BnlyOulh5sUb1Ot9WUo8CgsLj4/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to project the sound of their calls, the Wood Frogs
inflate air sacs located on each side of the body. The sacs act as resonating chambers for the
call. In the above photo the frog is seen from behind, showing the twin air
sacs in the foreground and the two bulging eyes behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6X57QmKPoMxfP9y8rE0jHTzv9SOBPKHpnGlZjLJUBIcpHpSiHds14JUon_TcpAkEYp3pYmFyvxciMkbRWF4z8OVYMVktJJ2j03IXdgELlH56WGeb5xrvqXBHoeNHp_p_zhJHn-vqYuo/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6X57QmKPoMxfP9y8rE0jHTzv9SOBPKHpnGlZjLJUBIcpHpSiHds14JUon_TcpAkEYp3pYmFyvxciMkbRWF4z8OVYMVktJJ2j03IXdgELlH56WGeb5xrvqXBHoeNHp_p_zhJHn-vqYuo/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surface tension causes the water to curve and ride up the
frog’s body. The water then reflects the sky and the surrounding landscape,
making it difficult to see the frog itself. I wonder if this might afford the
frog a degree of camouflage and protection from water level predators.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='333' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy1ebIZsDHCuMoeawML9ZMdm4cq86_X4lh_w1Tk5LDNY6JGOD0SsfFjLRc5YvEqgo_8pdfJmgEwXN6vfmS_4g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The short video above offers a view of a calling Wood Frog and
a broader view of activity in the pond. The video can also be seen on YouTube
by clicking <a href="https://youtu.be/zCGX_x6FOfo" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><b>HERE</b></span></a>.</div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-42030328293459290412017-11-08T00:30:00.000-05:002018-09-30T09:45:24.728-04:00Fall Project 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5PlhwC67kACjPlUI6UJgKn2INFjyjwBIMbAmgSHPJJWRxbFNVoc1PxGUznpE1WjHOA1NJepzkU7fNJGx8G7IU1UC4rTwRWlJ6bpHUO2OAkCh9S1OD22fCLHnPQBpbJdKQZizQ1vDR_Y/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5PlhwC67kACjPlUI6UJgKn2INFjyjwBIMbAmgSHPJJWRxbFNVoc1PxGUznpE1WjHOA1NJepzkU7fNJGx8G7IU1UC4rTwRWlJ6bpHUO2OAkCh9S1OD22fCLHnPQBpbJdKQZizQ1vDR_Y/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Each year during September and October, I tend to embark on
a large scale management project at Blue Jay Barrens. This year I worked to systematically
eliminate all invasive shrubs from a 16 acre block that was historically used
as a crop field in the early 1900’s.
Since all invasive shrubs of seed bearing age appear to have been
eliminated from the property, I thought the next step should be to aggressively
pursue the youngsters. My primary
problem shrubs are Multiflora Rose, Bush Honeysuckle, Japanese Barberry and
Autumn Olive as shown in the lineup in the photo above. I also find a few Privet and a couple of
Winged Wahoo.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My project area sits on a long south facing slope and is a
roughly rectangular shape measuring 900 by 800 feet. The area is currently a patchwork mix of
large Eastern Red Cedars, mixed hardwoods, and barrens openings. I began work at the east property line and
worked my way west in a series of strips paralleling the fence line. Each strip
ran from the creek up to the hill top, an elevation difference of about 140
feet. The neighboring property has a
growing population of invasives and birds bring plenty of seeds across the
property line. Invasive shrubs were especially prevalent within 100 feet of the fence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_iuovCwiCJPGJdMw9-9jUoSzrPIHJrOuWiloxoOARVhRvqfanp6dAg6aH7fKXBelZ-kbHVLls14SVMs1hQWCAprK7Pi2A9fTLRvt7ZnrYzjLnZnQNt1slMiSb-f2qx_51vEXPb77ERY/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_iuovCwiCJPGJdMw9-9jUoSzrPIHJrOuWiloxoOARVhRvqfanp6dAg6aH7fKXBelZ-kbHVLls14SVMs1hQWCAprK7Pi2A9fTLRvt7ZnrYzjLnZnQNt1slMiSb-f2qx_51vEXPb77ERY/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To make my search as thorough as possible, I produced a grid
pattern by using marking flags to establish the strips and to show the corners
of each cell within the strip. Strips
were about 20 feet wide and each cell was about 35 feet long. This resulted in around 1,000 cells developed
within the project area. I began by
establishing two strips using three lines of flags; one red, one blue, and one
yellow. As I completed each strip, I
would move the line of flags west to make a new strip. Within each cell I would walk a line about three
feet in from the side, cross over at the end and walk about three feet in along
the other side, and then travel up the center until I reached the next
cell. There’s no place within that 16
acres that I wasn’t within a few feet of while searching. Every invasive shrub found was cut off at
ground level and the resulting stump treated with glyphosate. Most of the treated individuals were less
than two feet tall. If I could see it, I
would treat it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, that doesn’t mean I found every invasive shrub
there was to find. Surrounding native
vegetation often hid the invaders.
Dappled sunlight could also be effective camouflage. Despite these obstacles, I drastically
reduced the number of unwelcome shrubs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZFQ05kjoHHMFT1YFXECQdahxv6ktblQrzQsO7YX8HDzgiTifYPa5AGiolajTJwLWwyYZGGeCh5NEoMUzGWDwVpP01pBiiL4juAMbO5pe9rZeeg3e_dwlJQeInko2MHJMDGJ5YlQw3-c/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZFQ05kjoHHMFT1YFXECQdahxv6ktblQrzQsO7YX8HDzgiTifYPa5AGiolajTJwLWwyYZGGeCh5NEoMUzGWDwVpP01pBiiL4juAMbO5pe9rZeeg3e_dwlJQeInko2MHJMDGJ5YlQw3-c/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even shrubs that appear impossible to miss can be hidden
from view. This Bush Honeysuckle could
not be seen from the other side of the tree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The concentration of invasives was greatest beneath trees
used by roosting or resting birds. The
photo above shows an Autumn Olive, a Bush Honeysuckle and a Multi-flora Rose,
three of a larger collection of similar specimens all inhabiting the same small
area of ground. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hmuQ9H98HghVFJcpDQGsKnKPahhO1H8459zxc_hSBXONdUCxsF0BQWwvaqpELOI-T-qTQAi7NNyR0f5RnoGtPaTxrrQnSYjCrmacoAU4lGT-VJRh_fqU4GqQ4jskJwHjRqUjuCTkCjM/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hmuQ9H98HghVFJcpDQGsKnKPahhO1H8459zxc_hSBXONdUCxsF0BQWwvaqpELOI-T-qTQAi7NNyR0f5RnoGtPaTxrrQnSYjCrmacoAU4lGT-VJRh_fqU4GqQ4jskJwHjRqUjuCTkCjM/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cause of the infestation was a large Sycamore, the trunk
of which can be seen here in the background.
Flocks of Robins and Cedar Waxwings seem to spend considerable time in
the upper branches of towering Sycamores, often after making a large meal of
fruits from surrounding shrubs. While
resting, they are also dropping seeds into the fertile soil beneath the tree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeuXBp5jiHHEFJpcoAVAMKYfQp6AY465rGxy4c_sL1_5FnZEOmpBepzNqer6Zfc7YEuw9k-_F_3KqkTjdhZaKGOdWpYC1RIkKzI22J0h1nz747wBPoJmGVdFgfisrjIeDjfM4BlKbmfY/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeuXBp5jiHHEFJpcoAVAMKYfQp6AY465rGxy4c_sL1_5FnZEOmpBepzNqer6Zfc7YEuw9k-_F_3KqkTjdhZaKGOdWpYC1RIkKzI22J0h1nz747wBPoJmGVdFgfisrjIeDjfM4BlKbmfY/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s common to find a clump of seedlings that has developed
on the site of a seed filled bird dropping.
This jungle of Autumn Olive seedlings resulted from a single bird
drop. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The seedlings must now compete among themselves for
survival. The plants at the edge of the
cluster stretch out to capture sunlight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUZfNaOw0aw7yTpm_Lnd21baNdmq0H8lyTutf5UBfm6qZ3946FjIr5Uay78MRxHlG0b5aSUVpAt-ViwuArSNlVp623AhhRpJMhfThEOVFuCzO46j03XRcV8FefXfT4J8KtOn7r1RHXDY/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUZfNaOw0aw7yTpm_Lnd21baNdmq0H8lyTutf5UBfm6qZ3946FjIr5Uay78MRxHlG0b5aSUVpAt-ViwuArSNlVp623AhhRpJMhfThEOVFuCzO46j03XRcV8FefXfT4J8KtOn7r1RHXDY/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The clump may appear to be spread over a rather wide space,
but clipping the tops reveals that all stems are originating from a single
small spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Invasives were cut and treated in this area in a slightly
less intensive search conducted four years ago.
These two Bush Honeysuckle stems and the stump from which they were cut
are a result of that management effort.
I was concerned when I found many Bush Honeysuckle seedlings growing in
a roughly 10 foot diameter circle centered around the dead stump. Could seeds from fruit that fell uneaten to
the ground germinate after several years of natural stratification? If so, this could cause another complication
in the battle to control these invasives.
Hopefully, this is just the result of some seed laden birds that just
happened to roost above this old bush site.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Multiflora Rose growing on the dry, rocky slopes show an
interesting growth pattern. Most have
been growing for many years as indicated by the thick stump found at ground
level, but the plants display only the current year’s growth. Dieback due to harsh conditions seems to be a
perennial problem for these roses. That
doesn’t stop them from trying anew each year.
The plant shown above has one live stem produced this year, one dead
stem produced last year, and numerous scars on the stump from previous years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Multiflora Roses also have a habit of sending out a
horizontal stem that stays hidden from view.
Cutting and applying herbicide above this branch could cause the
treatment to fail and the rose to survive.
The horizontal branches also have the annoying habit of rooting at the
leaf nodes so that a series of individual plants develops along the length of
the stem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I know the property will never be completely free of
invasive plants, but it would be nice to reach a point where I could walk around
without having their presence so obviously displayed everywhere I look. As my supply of non-native invasive shrubs
dwindles, the populations on neighboring properties is expanding, so new seeds
will always be finding their way across the fence. At one point during my work, I was thinking
of one of my favorite books, The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham. I didn’t realize it when I read the book for
the first time nearly 50 years ago, that the story is basically about a
non-native invasive plant species that swarms over the countryside wreaking
havoc on the human population. At one
point in the book, Triffids crowded outside barrier fences while the people
inside hunted and destroyed any invading seedlings. It was the scene just outside my fence line
that brought that book to mind. Of
course, the invasive plants that I’m dealing with can’t walk and they’re not
going to strike me dead if I exhibit a moment of carelessness. That’s something I can be grateful for as I
continue my work.<o:p></o:p></div>
Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-34848651015061389212017-09-18T00:30:00.000-04:002017-09-18T00:30:01.270-04:00Eliminating Invasive Plants – Summer Activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJzjuoEfBRccGA8jenBlu1LgcdWMUCsrBZACycORdF9QjYDJDkZ44PWBHrBECjU884aZi6cxQudoi2vPICYBDquqk5lQmYvYqlHYuP-OaIkEAbrjMVDxkpgHOC4H4K_dCsXusLc7CicM/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJzjuoEfBRccGA8jenBlu1LgcdWMUCsrBZACycORdF9QjYDJDkZ44PWBHrBECjU884aZi6cxQudoi2vPICYBDquqk5lQmYvYqlHYuP-OaIkEAbrjMVDxkpgHOC4H4K_dCsXusLc7CicM/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the seasons change, my management activities change. Summer is a time to hunt and eliminate
invasive forbs and grasses. Sweet Clover
was my initial target several years ago.
As Sweet Clover numbers dropped, I added other species that could be
controlled by pulling prior to setting seed.
Now, Yellow and White Sweet Clover, Wild Carrot, Teasel, and Oxeye Daisy
are all on my summer pulling schedule.
Not all invasive species can be controlled by pulling. Sometimes, like in the case of Crown Vetch,
the aid of a chemical herbicide is necessary to eliminate the plant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L5ORd6_VgaEArZtvOvpwI_qrFGp2t07bPE3GppOjVcwhDpkWmNq_YdRa4ur2o9bsXOUydLPWKKtM690FwUaM-1BEbBxL8_PBo0dmn71MCnDAFpYZFVh7ABiyrf5QLWMXGL4BlOtj6kA/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L5ORd6_VgaEArZtvOvpwI_qrFGp2t07bPE3GppOjVcwhDpkWmNq_YdRa4ur2o9bsXOUydLPWKKtM690FwUaM-1BEbBxL8_PBo0dmn71MCnDAFpYZFVh7ABiyrf5QLWMXGL4BlOtj6kA/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is my second year using the chemical Clopyralid in the
treatment of Crown Vetch. Clopyralid
kills only broadleaf plants, and is particularly effective on legumes. Grass is left unharmed, so no bare spots are
left in the field after treatment. The
areas I treated this year were fewer in number and much smaller than what I
dealt with last year. Shown above is the
largest patch of Crown Vetch I had to spray this year, and it covered only
about 40 square feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvv1et8FEt71ycuYoW3XqVEOCKfIoUJ3a1voPTujGjxNA8bCm5Xaku92_OhGUSTxWD-57V3OXag-_HTjgNPGXw_dQFmSUzg3AfxOt80-eudKtPJYcnfqGxIAGXiiE-4YVP2WoB3Yd-DU/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvv1et8FEt71ycuYoW3XqVEOCKfIoUJ3a1voPTujGjxNA8bCm5Xaku92_OhGUSTxWD-57V3OXag-_HTjgNPGXw_dQFmSUzg3AfxOt80-eudKtPJYcnfqGxIAGXiiE-4YVP2WoB3Yd-DU/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crown Vetch found its way into my fields as seed that was produced
along the edges our township road. I
eliminated the roadside vetch last year, but some of the affected field areas
are going to take a bit more work. Crown
Vetch growing beneath the canopy of tall Indian Grass is hard to spot. The best time to search is when the plants
begin to flower.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzS_rv2ftajewdL-Hqb8Bu5m9-2pgA_2h8kQ7bTS1TqT6wlakSuzAhlZk6wMxMM_ZvSd03I0vODxQsxZk90Ejt3NEJjX0_nAuIWdY_y9j3KRz6Qw0jIYXhaOC38QQEQQmqNBPVF1ZCCQ/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzS_rv2ftajewdL-Hqb8Bu5m9-2pgA_2h8kQ7bTS1TqT6wlakSuzAhlZk6wMxMM_ZvSd03I0vODxQsxZk90Ejt3NEJjX0_nAuIWdY_y9j3KRz6Qw0jIYXhaOC38QQEQQmqNBPVF1ZCCQ/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, peak flowering time for Crown Vetch coincides
with flowering of other lavender bloomed plants such as Monarda. Shown above is Crown Vetch on the left and
Monarda on the right. Colors are almost
identical.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmPveQkrsnQ-ePXXiorttHZC2egNJmJCTddwH0wSF-g8zLMLCK3ONmOIb8qZ1s-WlNXFDkEWfv5Inr6uDUWjBn5tVUYTKRw_UQr27wnikAW_p7H9S-jCeAhTuc99BqRwOfi4m5QMgc2c/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmPveQkrsnQ-ePXXiorttHZC2egNJmJCTddwH0wSF-g8zLMLCK3ONmOIb8qZ1s-WlNXFDkEWfv5Inr6uDUWjBn5tVUYTKRw_UQr27wnikAW_p7H9S-jCeAhTuc99BqRwOfi4m5QMgc2c/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monarda flowers are held above the Indian Grass leaves. Good luck trying to spot a couple stalks of
Crown Vetch hidden down in the grass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl3nYu1oPnePJXCfcqXmlyTEEEgfAW_VqjDarX-kJC57JhXpCsKSrgviqHiabw0mF1Wt-aYv54ZoQuuEBa8mVaxTi8tpjFPbO6pBYPiSgi2lyfz6f7YiJqlH9tR-Po6n9XEfetcivyDk/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl3nYu1oPnePJXCfcqXmlyTEEEgfAW_VqjDarX-kJC57JhXpCsKSrgviqHiabw0mF1Wt-aYv54ZoQuuEBa8mVaxTi8tpjFPbO6pBYPiSgi2lyfz6f7YiJqlH9tR-Po6n9XEfetcivyDk/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johnson Grass is another species that requires some
herbicide assistance if it is to be eliminated.
I’ve been after this species for several years and only found seven
small clumps growing this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznGgv5kG52saJB0XYiaOYQU4UvXuHBJhAJZvXWsP9zIlqE_kc2feuVamchWi2kV7HEUl3stQk-DuvwuBAa8TfNQYVlL2KhLiLx7l2OZLYbiBqRWMFUetcZ_drRThyIZR3mp71Vc7f0SQ/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznGgv5kG52saJB0XYiaOYQU4UvXuHBJhAJZvXWsP9zIlqE_kc2feuVamchWi2kV7HEUl3stQk-DuvwuBAa8TfNQYVlL2KhLiLx7l2OZLYbiBqRWMFUetcZ_drRThyIZR3mp71Vc7f0SQ/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When dealing with Johnson Grass, I first cut the stalks down
to a manageable height and trim back any long, flowing leaves. This allows me to spray the complete plant
with glyphosate, without spraying a lot of neighboring plants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBoKXgC5ouiA3_4nMKVLIJyyyMhReqd5CCIhzIaKuPRbMjTXblfDISGb2VA78CbzoO_9oPDCkdFx_7B_wp6qxei5YzXJALJzaJHY6iZ9KImnoAk7hBRqAAC9G9vohQiXwMHma50wKjOI/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBoKXgC5ouiA3_4nMKVLIJyyyMhReqd5CCIhzIaKuPRbMjTXblfDISGb2VA78CbzoO_9oPDCkdFx_7B_wp6qxei5YzXJALJzaJHY6iZ9KImnoAk7hBRqAAC9G9vohQiXwMHma50wKjOI/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johnson Grass is another invasive species that can trace its
origin back to the roadside. Even though
the roadside along my property is free of this invasive grass, seed produced
along other sections of the road are easily caught and transported by vehicles
traveling the roadway. I expect
passersby will replenish my seed supply on an annual basis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7W6MgCrU3VKSqA-TtiDpjAGzbWkvafswg-YuUl6NfLwCtfw23d4O_rbYatpuTkaBnluYwE2J60q2OYYiIn0vzjtpygSjlk5wABFDa3rGwKjssXKI_3ezP7FTx0B1g_Vw1REAp7mlMoE/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7W6MgCrU3VKSqA-TtiDpjAGzbWkvafswg-YuUl6NfLwCtfw23d4O_rbYatpuTkaBnluYwE2J60q2OYYiIn0vzjtpygSjlk5wABFDa3rGwKjssXKI_3ezP7FTx0B1g_Vw1REAp7mlMoE/s400/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johnson Grass is hard to miss when it sends up a flower
stalk. This species puts on height in
late July, long before the tall prairie grasses, so it doesn’t take much
searching to identify new infestations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs0yDBP8S6RdKYjvzCoVHPvgsewvbAiMZ6z-0Sp6pgZGMs9B_RbFkSruMv5yV-Iylg46MBJsz7LFNwe7obYWM2q9bOTsabqY5vXAAQq0pjghauqrFAYjWfFZnesp5n1m2RVpAHqpok5g/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1045" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs0yDBP8S6RdKYjvzCoVHPvgsewvbAiMZ6z-0Sp6pgZGMs9B_RbFkSruMv5yV-Iylg46MBJsz7LFNwe7obYWM2q9bOTsabqY5vXAAQq0pjghauqrFAYjWfFZnesp5n1m2RVpAHqpok5g/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the plant is blooming, tops can be cut and just left in
the field. There is no chance that these
flowers will produce viable seed if removed from the plant at this stage. If treatment is done after seed has formed,
it is best to remove the seed heads from the field to eliminate any viable seed
being left behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAGgG4prCtL7-LK6sVp2pWjyybD09k55ObuaGXpJS0ZO-kaIjsuxvDIMPDLKU7GY4DkYTW8o7x7wlgOxIVMIBNm1jzuZAzQjmjCuzfXqfxBaeKl6MVKfJxx2TB3cHd9KDGhaAtQhnYn4/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAGgG4prCtL7-LK6sVp2pWjyybD09k55ObuaGXpJS0ZO-kaIjsuxvDIMPDLKU7GY4DkYTW8o7x7wlgOxIVMIBNm1jzuZAzQjmjCuzfXqfxBaeKl6MVKfJxx2TB3cHd9KDGhaAtQhnYn4/s400/11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began pulling Wild Carrot six years ago. I’ve had a lot of success in reducing the
numbers of this plant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgX6Y6pV7PWukc58j-E-aa92Eqt316K2mD0NvgWNT1K0EbnCH1fQhtjHhbvl7jL0A940jQ3ZY45MdZWBS6BNzKiTFSHvMx9yUNaX3J7wU7WsUB_IBV7lFmFZ_Q8t8bHAJA5CSk7rz7Kk/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgX6Y6pV7PWukc58j-E-aa92Eqt316K2mD0NvgWNT1K0EbnCH1fQhtjHhbvl7jL0A940jQ3ZY45MdZWBS6BNzKiTFSHvMx9yUNaX3J7wU7WsUB_IBV7lFmFZ_Q8t8bHAJA5CSk7rz7Kk/s400/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Areas that once yielded hundreds of plants, are now
producing only a few plants each year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNknP7B8kbWkGj9GVcDB2-zQFHkcrwLHbWgm12qBZ2sZQzDEepjvT2glaQOvmK1yPDaQyiLrq4emT-fmipMlZ4GOhQn0gjQChDx9cJd-Q9l4lyUGXmbdhX_f4j1p6lPF8fSgHkKSaEXzA/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNknP7B8kbWkGj9GVcDB2-zQFHkcrwLHbWgm12qBZ2sZQzDEepjvT2glaQOvmK1yPDaQyiLrq4emT-fmipMlZ4GOhQn0gjQChDx9cJd-Q9l4lyUGXmbdhX_f4j1p6lPF8fSgHkKSaEXzA/s400/13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With fewer plants to pull, I can cover more area. This is the last of the Wild Carrot infested
barrens, an area that I have never had time to get to before. I was able to finish off this field just as
the pulling season came to a close.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHiFLKU48EwShGjq55vsxHhqv35Wv3Sja2yM1bY89mvVeJ1IZJ2InJBRovhs17of25BzSnIwB6PAvNHZFDrthhP0Z41Wcr7ljcfLTWiawMe_zg3ByyRYwuODYW0EiUSWtAG3j9X9TCMA/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHiFLKU48EwShGjq55vsxHhqv35Wv3Sja2yM1bY89mvVeJ1IZJ2InJBRovhs17of25BzSnIwB6PAvNHZFDrthhP0Z41Wcr7ljcfLTWiawMe_zg3ByyRYwuODYW0EiUSWtAG3j9X9TCMA/s400/14.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wild Carrot seeds were just beginning to darken during my
last week of pulling. Not knowing if
these seeds were developed enough to finish ripening on a pulled plant, I removed
the seed heads and bagged them for disposal somewhere other than the middle of
my field.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsFdZusXwHa-frwzCWcqdvluwKoUZOBKCww1pQcbQ43HEeSia6Zf5Zstelos4u8NlVlllU2rpMBhVeLTHbXlFkxrtdOganht4upFGZdiGDnmRQPLxIDI6tJRe-8vyZWH-9Q45Zx3p6MY/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1522" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsFdZusXwHa-frwzCWcqdvluwKoUZOBKCww1pQcbQ43HEeSia6Zf5Zstelos4u8NlVlllU2rpMBhVeLTHbXlFkxrtdOganht4upFGZdiGDnmRQPLxIDI6tJRe-8vyZWH-9Q45Zx3p6MY/s400/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A single Black Swallowtail caterpillar was found on one of
the pulled carrots. I transplanted it to
a domesticated carrot variety in my vegetable garden. It ate for several days and then
disappeared. I hope it went off to find
a secure place to pupate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Steve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com0