5.29.2022

Our Nature

"I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidæ [parasitic wasps] with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of Caterpillars."

― Charles Darwin
Ever since I can remember I've thought of Nature hikes as if I'm a National Geographic explorer finding certain flora and fauna for the very first time. Even today, when I encounter the common, I mentally put them into a context that combines the uniqueness of the individual, its evolutionary history, and how fortunate I am to be able to experience such amazing scenes of natural beauty. I think about each creature's cognitive interiority and ponder what their window to the Universe might be like from their truly wild perspective. 
We can assume birds have more greater sentience than insects, but is this correct? While there are interesting commonalities between insect brain structures and those of mammals and birds, when you observe an insect lose a limb in combat without any apparent signs of physical stress or emotional suffering, there must be differences in brain function and expressions of it. Even the midbrain of humans and insects share some degree of evolutionary relatedness. In fact, it's thought that insects may feel something that resembles hunger, pain, and possibly even simple analogs of anger and aggression, but they assuredly lack emotions like grief or jealousy. 
When I've got my macro lens this close to a tiger beetle, I'm mere inches away in their little sandy insect realm. When I can get this close I can sometimes see their mouthparts moving, observe slight shifts in the position of their heads as they scan for prey. Sometimes they slightly open their elytra, then I know they're preparing to make an escape flight. The trick in sneaking up on them is to get as low as possible while making slow and fluid yoga-like movements toward them. Any mistake on my behalf prompts the beetle to make a 10 to 20 yard flight. I simply move onto the next beetle whenever that happens.
If you look carefully at the front maculation (outer shell pattern [forewing]) shape, you'll notice that most of these Big Sand Tiger Beetles are different individuals ― some are thicker, longer, shorter, flattened, or have a more C-shaped leading maculation. These patterns not only serve the insect by giving it a certain degree of camouflage, they also aid in thermoregulation by reflecting or absorbing light. That there is variability is good for natural selection and population dynamics should there be fluctuations in their immediate environment. 
One can go deep into the science and ecology of it all, or simply admire these amazing little creatures. A mixture of scientist and yūgen is always present when I'm out in the field. Yūgen? It's a Japanese word that refers to an awareness that the Universe is so profound that the emotions we feel when we try to contemplate it are too deep and mysterious to convey. Why should humans experience such numinous sentiments with wild kin and the outdoors? There's little doubt that for early humans a reverence for Nature led to origins of animistic religious belief. In Nature, there's much that can be loved or feared. To approach it objectively and without anthropomorphisms can be a challenging endeavor. 
Elsewhere in the woodland realm there were orchids and other wildflowers. The price for this slightly off-trail excursion came in the form of 5 Wood ticks and 2 Deer ticks. Nasty! Only one time did I miss a tick bite that necessitated antibiotics, but I have friends that have gotten some serious infections from them. Several years ago Sylvia got anaplasmosis that really wiped her out and has slight lingering symptoms to this day. She's had Lyme Disease, too.

One tries to be as careful as possible when out in Nature ― there are big things and small things that can take you out or make you sick. I've encountered bear and wolves in the wild, but rare is the case that they stick around and generally take off running upon seeing me. Rattlesnakes, Black Widow Spiders, and Poison Ivy sometimes give me a moment of jitters, but composure is never lost. But the most danger I've ever been in has almost always come in the form of that one particular weedy species, as Elizabeth Kolbert phrased us in her Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Sixth Extinction. We are and will continue to be our own worst enemy.

But ticks ... I hate'm! We can all get behind that, can't we?
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell

5.21.2022

Wyalusing!

"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."

― John Muir
With only 10 days left of May, we are well past migration's peak. There will continue to be birds moving northward into June, and plenty see and photograph, but for the most part I'm finished birding the creek corridor for the spring. For the remainder of spring and summer an emphasis will be placed on locations, but also insects (especially tiger beetles, naturally). A favorite annual trek for me and my birding posse is our annual adventure at Wyalusing State Park in Grant County. Here you'll find Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ceruleans galore, and an incredible variety of other woodland songbirds. 
WI DNR's website states: At Wyalusing State Park, camp 500 feet above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. One of Wisconsin's oldest state parks, Wyalusing features family and group campsites, hiking trails, a canoe trail, Native American burial mounds, bird watching, fishing, boating, bicycling and picnicking on bluff top overlooks.

And it is quite the view ― just imagine how many Prothonotary Warblers might be down there!
At the bottom of Long Valley Road; the boat launch pier has seen better days.
Oh, and here's a Prothonotary Warbler now!
By mid-May it's quite easy to find them hanging out at the boat launch. On this particular day there were a couple of males zooming around chasing one another, and some females sitting around on sticks and logs preening and sunning. 

Preening:
And sunning ...
Then inspecting the photographer!
And even more preening ...
I might eat a humble pie with respect to my previous comments about catharus thrushes ― there were impressive numbers of Swainson's Thrushes at Wyalusing as well as a Veery or two. On the recent trip to Baxter's Hollow, the Veery count was also better than I expected. While there were later than normal Swainson's at Pheasant Branch, overall numbers still seemed low for that location. I suppose it's possible they simply took advantage of the steady southeast winds and got onto territory without being noticed in my neck of the woods. 
The Swainson's Thrush ...
A diminutive woodland songbird with an incredible voice.
Certainly not as showy as this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!
It's a grand time of year for wildflowers and Wyalusing is just loaded with them. Sylvia smartly pointed out these Jeweled Shooting Stars Primula fassettii, which I might have otherwise missed whilst searching for Yellow-throated Warblers (which we did find). Initially, I was a bit miffed by a field trip leader unintentionally fooling us by playing YTWA song over and over on territory, for which I chided him for doing. He didn't say a word, but I said "Thou shalt not use playback on breeding territory!" Some of his participants chuckled at my comment. We merely waited until they left and eventually the true warbler songs sounded from the conifers once again. Eventually I got a great eye-level look at one, but he was too quick for a photograph!
Apparently, this is a species of Special Concern in Wisconsin, as it is only found in four counties, Grant being one of them. 
There was also Spring Beauty ...
Wild Geranium ...
Woodland Phlox ...
And more phlox ...
False Rue Anemone ...
And Nodding Trillium ...
It was a very relaxing day of hiking with friends, listening to an incredible variety of birdsong, and appreciating the fantastic scenery that Wyalusing offers the naturalist. At the top of Long Valley Road, I laid down in the grass and took a photograph of a window to the sky through the verdant canopy. 

I remained there for a long time.
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell

Reunited!

"A guitar is more than just a sound box ― it is part of your soul."

― Manuel Velazquez
Well, there they are. All fourteen of my Fender Stratocasters have been reunited after the EOB Sustainer Strat had to have a pickup replaced ― it took nearly 3 months to get the part from Fender. Dave's Guitar Shop of Fitchburg did the installation for me, as I'm not experienced enough to be trusted with that sort of intricate work. I had them keep the guitar at their shop in the meanwhile, so this is the first time they've been photographed together. 

Most of the funds used to purchase these instruments came from a Money Market Account I setup after my divorce back in 2009 ― my share of the house equity.  Honestly, it was just a glorified savings account and I probably should have invested the money more wisely. Having said that, the collection has already gone up in value (unrealized) by about $2,200.00 since I began this effort. Though I have played all of them, there are some I no longer do so as not to damage them: #1, #11, and #12 (see key below). Over time, I expect those particular guitars to go up in value more so than the others. 

To be sure, guitars are meant to be played and I do enjoy playing the American Professional II Roasted Pine (#10), my MOD Shop HSS (#5), and my EOB Strat (#2). The Black Strat (#6) will always be a special guitar, but for tone and action I prefer my MOD Shop HSS (#5). There several guitars I don't play but are on display in my apartment, like my 1994 American Standard (#13), which was a birthday present from my ex-wife back in the day. I keep several guitars in my Man Cave ® right next to my desk so I can just plug'm in whenever I feel like playing. 

I can't be trusted to say my collection is complete because I've already said it several times and I ultimately end up making another purchase. At the present time I don't have one I'm seriously considering, but I wouldn't mind having a Robin Trower Custom Shop Stratocaster. Another I greatly admire is the Mary Kaye 1957 Stratocaster, also made by Fender's Custom Shop ― what a sharp guitar with the gold hardware and vintage blonde color.

In the middle you can see several books about Fender I've read. The history of the company is extraordinary, and if you love guitars as much as I do, you might want to check out this video of a tour at the Corona Facility that was made a few years ago. I was impressed that some of the tooling and machines that were used in the 50s and 60s are still in use today.
  1. American Original 50s White Blonde
  2. Ed O'Brien Sustainer Vintage Blonde
  3. American Ultra HSS Arctic Pearl
  4. US Stratocaster MOD Shop Inca Silver
  5. US Stratocaster MOD Shop HSS Bordeaux Metallic
  6. US Stratocaster MOD Shop Satin Black
  7. Professional Series II Dark Night
  8. 75th Anniversary Edition Bourbon Burst
  9. American Ultra Mocha Burst
  10. Professional Series II Roasted Pine
  11. Eric Johnson Signature Lucerne Aqua Firemist
  12. 1963 NOS Custom Shop Red Sparkle
  13. American Standard Crimson Burst
  14. American Performer Walnut 
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell

5.17.2022

Showy Orchis!

"Many collectors died in process of searching for new species, and despite persistent reports that the men died from drowning, gunshot and knife wounds, snakebite, trampling by cattle, or blows in the head with blunt instruments, it is generally accepted that in each case the primary cause of death was orchid fever."

― Eric Hansen
While on a hike today I found a patch of Showy Orchis Galearis spectabilis at a nearby nature preserve. Sadly, one can't be specific on location details because there are people out there who will dig these orchids up and try to replant them in their backyards ― they invariably die given ignorance to their habitat requirements. This is only my fifth time finding this plant, which is a thrilling way to end my vacation time. Back to the office tomorrow!
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell

5.15.2022

Baxter's ― a Great Idea!

"The vast majority of people in today's society seem totally oblivious to our existence. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It gives us a good reason to look down on them, while finding dark corners in which to live self-sufficient, invisible lives."

― Ge Fei
In my opinion (which everyone is entitled to) Baxter's Hollow in the Baraboo Hills is one of the prettiest places in Wisconsin. Located in Sauk County just west of Devil's Lake State Park, one drives slowly along Stone's Pocket Road and birds by ear for the feathered gems that call the hills home. There are a few established parking spots, but almost anywhere will do. The hollow's habitat is so reminiscent of northern Wisconsin that ~20 warbler species stop and nest here. Though a sizable portion of the land is owned by The Nature Conservancy, there are parcels of private land ― no trespassing, please. Baxter's Hollow is one of my favorite places to spend an entire day admiring and photographing its flora, fauna, and boreal-like scenery. Sitting along Otter Creek is meditative and cathartic. 
So, I wasn't terribly far off, right? Connecticut Warblers are beginning to be found in Dane County. Rather than compete with Sunday creek corridor muggles, my birding posse and I thought it better to go hiking and exploring somewhere more a bit more secluded ― somewhere away from wherever the Reliables were looking for CONWs. 
The weather was heavenly and we were surrounded by Nature's angels. That's pretty sappy, isn't it? If I'm being honest, I have more respect for creatures that have evolved for millions of years than relegate them to mythological beings. Are you familiar with the notion that no living thing on earth is more evolved than anything else? That's right. All this planet's organisms have been evolving for exactly the same amount of time ― what adaptations work for a Green Frog or a Veery has likely worked longer for them than what has "worked" for Homo sapiens (if you can call what we're doing working).

Catharus thrushes like the Veery descended from a common ancestor that lived 4 to 6 million years ago. Naturally, there are Hominins (members of the genera Homo, Australopithecus, Paranthropus and Ardipithecus) that go back a few million years. Genetics-wise, Human and chimpanzee DNA is nearly identical when you compare the bands on chromosomes, the bundles of DNA inside nearly every cell. If true, then why do we look so different from chimps? Well, each human cell contains roughly three billion base pairs (bits of information), so that mere 1.2 percent equals about 35 million differences. 
If we could travel back in time 4 to 6 million years ago to seek the common ancestor of today's catharus thrushes, my guess would be a bird that is more genetically similar to those living today than the marginal disparity we see in contemporary hominins. My point here is that they didn't have to change much because their strategies didn't necessitate it ― the "design" was good enough for an extraordinarily long period of time sans adaptive pressure. Still, evolution is always occurring. Consider that Bicknell's Thrush and the extremely similar Gray-cheeked Thrush diverged as recently as 120,000 years ago ― speciation can take a really long time. 
On our time-travel trip nothing would look half-evolved, quarter-evolved, no missing links, etc. All life present would appear just as evolved as everything around us today ― the context is just flipped. We would compare them all to things we know about down the evolutionary road. But if you lacked this knowledge, you would be none the wiser about the life around you and where it's going. This same notion is true for where we stand today. I find that such mental exercises gives one an elevated level of respect for these shy little woodland birds. 
And there we were, in their woodland domain, listening to calls and songs; the birds at work with things they've been doing for hundreds of thousands, and even millions of years ― it has not failed them, for the most part. To be present and appreciate their existence and ours as finite mortal creatures we share the planet with is a major juice ingredient for being a fulfilled naturalist. I actually feel quite sorry for those who reject the established scientific fact of common ancestry; differential reproductive success via natural selection. Speaking of the Gray-cheeked Thrush, there was at least one present.
There were also Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos, but never quite in the open ...
And Jacob's Ladder ...
Spring Beauty ...
A fantastically cool place to chill ― check it out sometime. 
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell