"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."
― John Lubbock
Look ― a bird!
The Summer Solstice arrives later this week ― it's been an incredible spring with many outdoor adventures and interesting critters. Dickcissels are presently plentiful at Thompson Prairie, Barneveld Prairie, Spring Green Preserve, Sauk Prairie SNA, and many other grasslands in southern Wisconsin. I haven't been to Pope Farm or Pheasant Branch Prairies recently, but they may be there as well.
The Summer Solstice arrives later this week ― it's been an incredible spring with many outdoor adventures and interesting critters. Dickcissels are presently plentiful at Thompson Prairie, Barneveld Prairie, Spring Green Preserve, Sauk Prairie SNA, and many other grasslands in southern Wisconsin. I haven't been to Pope Farm or Pheasant Branch Prairies recently, but they may be there as well.
Now onto insects ...
Perhaps too much of a good thing? We need rain as we are now under moderate drought conditions. I suspect smoke from 400+ Canadian wildfires keeps giving me headaches, but I'm sure it's far worse for people closer to the fires. Despite dry, hazy and overcast conditions, I ventured to Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area to check on the tiger beetles. At the front entrance there was a substantial law enforcement presence on account of the missing teenage boy, perhaps lost (or playing Rambo?) somewhere in the Baraboo Hills. An officer waved me down and informed me that I could stay so long as I kept to the southern part of the property. I assured him I would do so.
If you're from Wisconsin you've probably heard all about it. Whatever the situation is I hope he makes it home safe, but he's been gone for a week and the terrain in the Baraboo Hills can be quite hazardous ― two law enforcement officers are in the hospital with injuries sustained from their search efforts. Another LE official said he believes the teen is still alive because he expressed to friends an interest in living off the grid and wanting to be a survivalist. Naturally, wanting something and being something are two different things.
I was optimistic for Ghost Tiger Beetles, though it would be my earliest ever observation if found. I arrived early in the morning and initially there were only a couple Festives and a single Big Sand, freshly emerged from their nocturnal burrows. I quickly checked a spot where I typically find Punctured Tiger Beetles late June to early July. To my surprise, there were already several present, freshly emerged and on the hunt for prey.
Due to muted lighting, I opted to use a flash. In doing so, more of the color and texture of the beetle's elytral features became apparent in the resultant photographs. I used a diffuser at an angle to use a combination of natural lighting along with the flash ― I'm pleased with the results.
And then ...
A Ghostie! Ghost Tiger Beetles are typically found in open areas such as sand dunes, sandy beaches, gravel pits, and open grasslands. They are known for their rapid speed and agility, capable of darting quickly across the ground in pursuit of prey or to escape from predators. Like other tiger beetles, the Ghost is a voracious predator, feeding on small insects such as ants, beetles, and other arthropods. It has large, powerful mandibles that enable it to capture and immobilize prey.
I still recall the first time I observed this species near Buena Vista Grasslands almost a decade ago ― a couple of hours drive time to the north; not a super far drive, but it's cool and convenient to have them just a half an hour away. For the uninitiated but apparent, this tiger beetle derives its name from its pale and ghostly appearance. It has a whitish or pale yellow coloration, which provides effective camouflage against sandy or gravelly habitats; an adaptation helps it blend in with its surroundings, making it difficult for predators to spot. Even for a tiger beetler, they're easy to miss. Upon finding this one, I'm reminded just how small they are compared to other tiger beetles. No less ferocious!
A break in the clouds prompted me to turn off the flash and just use sunlight. Under bright light, when running one typically detects this beetle's shadow rather than the insect itself. Note the difference between the first three Ghostie shots and the rest ― flash versus sunlight only.
This Festive and Big Sand Tiger Beetles were photographed before I found the Punctured and Ghosts. Note the particles of sand still attached to their bodies, indicating recent emergence from their sandy burrows. The clean look is preferred, but it must take a certain amount of activity to knock the particles off ― one flight probably does the trick. They're so much easier to photograph before increasing their body temperature for full-attack mode.
Hackberry Emperor Butterflies were everywhere.
Also, a variety of Robber Flies. Here we have Stichopogon trifasciatus, Proctacanthus hinei, and a Machimus sp. Robber Flies will prey on tiger beetles, but I think they would have a harder time with Big Sand. P. hinei could do it, though. Despite abundant cohabitation this time of year between robber flies and tiger beetles, I have never witnessed such an attack. Usually I see robber flies going for much smaller prey.
Here's a gem of a fly ...
This is a Long-tailed Dance Fly Rhamphomyia longicauda. It's been a while since I've seen one, and I know of only one semi-reliable spot to find them in good numbers at the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor. This insect has an astonishingly impressive bimodal courtship and mating ritual. The females form leks, but prior to entering one they rest on nearby vegetation and swallow air to inflate expandable pouches on their abdomens. Prospective males enter the lek and seek females via wing and abdomen size. Males do not enter a lek without carrying a nuptial gift in the form of prey (small flies, gnats, etc.). The gift is then offered to a female. To show favor, the female will drop to the male and the two fly away from the swarm. The male gives her the nuptial gift and recedes into the copulating position.
Though very dry, prairie wildflowers are putting on quite a show at Spring Green Preserve. Prickly Pear are blooming, but be cautious when photographing them ― I've inadvertently knelt or sat on a pad to unwelcome effect.
The amount of Goats Rue right now is incredible. This plant used to be fed to goats as it was thought to improve milk production, rendering its common name. Apparently, the practice was abandoned. According to one source, the plant is also being studied in cancer research. In past traditions, Goats Rue was used to treat ailments such as tuberculosis, rheumatism and bladder problems.
And lots of Sand Milkwort Polygala polygama ...
Found in sandy prairies, dunes, savanna and barrens, when open the flowers are near miniatures of the larger and more showy Gaywing Polygala paucifolia. Can you see it?
While looking for a Yellow-breasted Chat, my birding posse stumbled upon this gorgeous Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platirhinos. It made for a minor crisis with one of my pals who has a profound and visceral fear of snakes or ophidiophobia. It hissed a few times at us when I attempted to take few photographs of it, but we left it no worse for wear. I guess it won the melee, eh?
All images © 2023 Mike McDowell