"Nature we have always with us, an in exhaustible store-house of that which moves the heart, appeals to the mind and fires the imagination ― health to the body, a stimulus to the intellect, and joy to the soul."
― John Burroughs
Woo hoo ― Tiger Beetle 2022 Season begins! A thorough search at Spring Green Preserve on Sunday revealed Oblique-lined and Festive Tiger Beetles. I checked the bluffs for Splendid, but it was super windy and a little cooler ― none were found. Perhaps next week! Clouds moved in on my way down the bluff and it was just enough of a temperature drop to send the beetles back into their burrows. The overcast skies and gusty winds rendered a natural end to my bug hunt.
Ye Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle Cicindela tranquebarica:
And Festive Tiger Beetle Cicindela scutellaris lecontei:
Fourteen to go! Ha! Will this be the year I finally get Boreal Long-lipped?
Whoa ― quite a few steps! I'm going to need a nap later.
Yesterday I explored the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor, but came up a little shy in the way of newly arrived migrants. For the weekend's efforts, new avian species for the year included Osprey, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Vesper Sparrow, and Tree Swallow. Given the nicer weather my expectations were a little high and I barely got any birds found this weekend by Dane County's most Reliable Birders. Thankfully, though, I observed no other birders this weekend ― so that's a win.
The sounds of the corridor consisted of chickadees, woodpecker drumming, junco trills, M. melodia song, and kinglet see-see-see calls. But the loudest voice belonged to a Carolina Wren, just belting out his song. It was nice to see that the lad has himself a mate. The two foraged together down a length of the creek near the second bridge before I lost sight of them.
A pair of Wood Ducks just relaxing near the creek's edge.
This Golden-crowned Kinglet heard the alert calls of Northern Cardinals and Black-capped Chickadees responding to a Cooper's Hawk perching in a nearby tree. The kinglet raced across the creek, found a spot in the shadows, and then froze in this position for several minutes. An easily digiscoped portrait and interesting behavior response to a threat. Many years ago I once observed a Sharp-shinned Hawk grab a kinglet that was foraging along the trail ― it was quick and deadly.
After the creek corridor hike, I checked out Pope Farm Conservancy, but it was pretty quiet there as well. Still, it's a great place for hiking in solitude.
Waiting for something to happen, I spotted a few Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels and decided to take a few portraits of them. And then in a flash, one called out a warning and they all scurried into their burrows.
In swooped this Red-tailed Hawk, perching on a signpost a mere dozen yards or so from me. It eyeballed the burrow openings for a few seconds, but realized the missed opportunity. Off it flew to search for prey elsewhere. It took several minutes for the ground squirrels to come out of their burrows once again, but they did and seemed to simply enjoy basking in the warming sun.
Last but not least, American Kestrels have taken up residence near the confluence ponds of Pheasant Branch Creek. There's almost always a pair there during the breeding season and I can't help but think these may be the same ones (or progeny) I've seen there for several years. In an uncharacteristic display of confidence and cooperation, they showed virtually no concern for my presense. I love moments like this. Unfettered by listing concerns ― just me and the birds. Those glorious moments when creatures allow me into their realm for little while are the juice of my slower paced effort.
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell