"Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed."
— Walt Whitman
At this time of year our southern Wisconsin's grasslands are becoming quieter. I don't spend nearly as much time as I used to at Pheasant Branch's prairie, as the creek corridor remains my favorite part of the conservancy for both birds and insects. However, I have made a few visits to the prairie the past few weeks and it's rather stunning this year. Grasses and plants are tall, swaying in the warm breeze, and the wildflowers are in full bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant colors. Yet, despite the beauty, there’s a certain stillness that seems to hang in the air—especially at Barneveld Prairie near where I work. The once-lively chorus of birds, like meadowlarks and bobolinks, has quieted. The fall season is right around the corner, and in many ways, it's already making its presence felt. Have you noticed?
As birds have grown quiet, insects are taking up the slack. The steady hums and chirps of crickets and grasshoppers now dominate the soundscape. It's as if the prairie has shifted its voice from the melodic songs of birds to the persistent, buzzing chorus of insects, marking a different phase in the life of this ecosystem.
I happened upon a Coppery Leafhopper resting on a stem, its metallic sheen catching my eye. Delicately perched and almost hidden among the greenery, it was a challenge to capture, but with patience, I managed to snap a cool close-up portrait of it. This diminutive insect, part of the genus Jikradia, plays a small yet significant role in the grassy ecosystem, feeding on plant sap and serving as a food source for various predators.
And just like that — 15,247 steps!
Elsewhere, along the Wisconsin River ...
The water level is down again, which gives tiger beetles a bit more habitat at the Sauk City Canoe Launch. Still, there's a bit of a lull in terms of numbers, but diversity is still respectable: Hairy-necked, Bronzed, Sandy Stream, Big Sand, and Punctured. The summer's second tiger beetle emergence will soon be underway. I'll probably visit the rocky outcroppings at Spring Green for Splendids before late September, but for this update here are a few recent portraits:
A Hairy-necked! It's been a great season for them.
Bronzed ...
And a Sandy Stream ...
Ending a hike at Pheasant Branch just before sunset, with the prairie awash in the soft, golden light of the day's last breath. The sun lingered low, painting the tall grasses in warm, amber hues, while the sweet notes of a Song sparrow and the lively calls of a few Sedge Wrens filled the cool evening air. Each step along the trail felt like a gentle goodbye to the day, as the landscape exhaled in quiet harmony. In that fleeting moment, the beauty of the prairie and the fading light intertwined, leaving a lasting impression of Nature's serene elegance.
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell