"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living."
— David Attenborough
These photographs were taken at the Deer Creek woodlot across the street from where I live—a little habitat oasis I've blogged about many times the past decade or so. I haven't always mentioned it specifically, but a great deal of my insect portraiture has been taken here. Whenever I've needed a quick dose of Nature, I could get out of bed, throw on field clothes and boots, grab my gear, and be immersed in insect photography within mere minutes.
Over the past decade, I've spotted more than a dozen warbler species here, various thrushes, flycatchers, and even the occasional owl. But it's also a great place for hopper insects and robber flies. It's also where I tend to find my first Six-spotted Tiger Beetle of the insecting season.
Deer Creek resembles a smaller version of the Pheasant Branch creek corridor. However, instead of being bordered by houses, it winds through a business district that spans both Middleton and Madison.
It's not a pristine or restored habitat—rather, a striking mix of native and non-native flora. Even so, from certain angles, it can evoke the feeling of being somewhere in northern Wisconsin.
But now it's gone ...
Just utterly gone!
Here's the area that was cleared out:
Curious about the work, I inquired. I found out this was done to mitigate future flooding by increasing the capacity of the pond, which you can see in the above aerial photograph. You may recall the Great Flood of 2018 in which a good share of Middleton was flooded, causing a tremendous amount of damage to homes and businesses.
Deer Creek is a part of the Pheasant Branch Watershed, so I'm not surprised it was targeted. By expanding the pond's capacity, city engineers are aiming to reduce the risk of future overflow events, helping to better manage stormwater and protect surrounding areas. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance flood resilience within the Pheasant Branch Watershed, ensuring that heavy rains are less likely to cause the kind of devastation seen in 2018.
Having said that, urbanization on a watershed increases impervious surfaces like roads and rooftops, reducing the land's ability to absorb rainwater. This leads to more stormwater runoff, erosion, and higher flood risks downstream. Development also disrupts natural water infiltration, which can lower groundwater levels and worsen flash flooding. While mitigation efforts like retention ponds help, urbanization still impacts a watershed's ability to manage floodwater.
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell