"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world."
— John Muir
With unseasonably warm temperatures baking the ground the past few days, on Tuesday a fellow tiger beetle aficionado found Cow Path Cicindela purpurea in Bloomer, WI. Following suit, I took the day off yesterday (Wednesday) to search a few locations in Sauk County — the Recreational Area south of the Baraboo Hills and the Canoe Launch along the Wisconsin River.
The air temperature was a mere 52 degrees, but upon arrival there were already a few Oblique-lined Tiger Beetles warming up to the rising sun. The ground temperature was likely much warmer, and it would be my guess that this was not the first day they were active this spring. Or wait — it's still winter, isn't it?
Meteorological seasons: These are based on the annual temperature cycle and are used primarily by meteorologists to describe the timing of weather and climate patterns.Astronomical seasons: These are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun and are determined by the Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the Sun. Astronomical seasons are marked by the solstices and equinoxes.
So, they're winter insects by one measure and spring by another. Nevertheless, these are the earliest tiger beetles I've observed by 2 to 3 weeks. The end is nigh, my friends! Kidding (sorta). One way or another, one day the very last tiger beetle will perish. Given their tenaciousness and adaptability, they'll be around for tens of millions of years yet. Humans? Doubtful! Having said that, I do find a sense of awe and wonder in contemplating the longevity of species like tiger beetles, which have been around for millions of years and are likely to persist long into the future. It's a reminder of the vast timescales of the natural world and our place within it.
Here they are, freshly emerged ...
As this tiger beetle rises, think of Strauss's Thus Spake Zarathustra ...
See? It works!
Given the lively tiger beetle activity at Sauk Rec., a stop at the Sauk City Canoe Launch seemed like good follow-up — and there were several Bronzed C. repanda hunting the beach along the river. I was hoping for Festive C. scutellaris at both locations, but two species mid-March will do just fine.
If it makes it, this Shoreline Wolf Spider will get much larger by summer ...
Though they sport some of the finest camouflage Nature offers, they often fall prey to wasps before they reach full size.
Meanwhile, in birding news ...
It's been nice to see good numbers of A. albifrons this migration.
The past few times I've gone to the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor, a T. ludovicianus has been vigorously broadcasting his tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle song.
Sing it, buddy!
Right now woodlands are teeming with J. hyemalis song. Their cheerful trills and whistled notes fill the air, signaling changing seasons and bringing a sense of joy to all who listen. While the landscape transitions into spring, with earthy tones and dormant vegetation awaiting the vibrant colors of spring's renewal, the soft, melodious calls of these small songbirds add to the morning's symphonic avian choir. For now, they have the songbird dominant voice — but that will soon change.
At least for the Aves, it'll be scientific Latin names from here on out. Jon Dunn comments resonate with my position regarding the AOS decision to rename eponymously named birds:
"If there is one useful thing about the name changes, it is that maybe birders might concentrate on scientific names, the name in italics next to the English name. Nearly two thirds of the English names which are eponymous also have eponymous scientific names. If one is so offended by the eponymous English names, how will they live with the scientific names remaining?"
That's a fair point.
You can read Dunn's entire message to AOS here.
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell