Máistir Nádúraí: White-throats are back!

9.23.2018

White-throats are back!

"You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen."

― Ernest Hemingway

White-throated Sparrow

Frautschi Point has been more than a satisfactory warbler replacement for the damaged Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor. Though I had heard a rumor that the corridor trail might re-open this weekend, it wasn't the case. For today, nearby Pope Farm Conservancy was the perfect place for a quiet late afternoon walk. Its early autumn prairies were adorned with various goldenrods, asters, and dozens of Monarch Butterflies fed upon them. Perhaps there is hope for this declining butterfly with all the attention they've been receiving throughout conservation circles. It seems like more people are planting milkweed and also raising Monarch caterpillars.

Avian-wise, various birds were foraging for flying insects along the fence line, including Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows, and Field Sparrows. Sparrow season will soon be upon us. Already thousands of White-throated Sparrows descended upon southern Wisconsin during the recent cold front. They were quite numerous along Lakeshore Preserve on Saturday, and I also found several of them at Pope Farm this evening.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Eastern Bluebird

A common butterfly I think we would all like to keep that way ...

A future for Monarchs ...

Common Milkweed

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. While he is most prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, his explorations extend to other natural gems like Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has graced numerous publications, including newspapers, magazines, a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and even a National Geographic feature. Since 2005, Mike has been journaling his nature observations on his blog. He is the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. A skilled digiscoper, he was a multiple-time finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest. Mike’s interests span insect macro-photography—focusing on tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies—fossil collecting, botany, natural history, amateur astronomy, and long-range rifle marksmanship. A former gigging musician, he has rekindled his passion for collecting Fender Stratocasters, with his prized possession being a 1957 Vintage Custom Shop 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. After a career in IT, Mike has spent the past 24 years in the sport optics industry.

Disclaimer:

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