Capturing Spring: Wildflowers and Tiger Beetles!

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." 

— Frank Lloyd Wright

Sheesh! I'm really getting behind on photography and blogging ...

We got nearly a foot of snow in southern Wisconsin about a week prior to the solar eclipse. Down in southern Illinois, things looked to be at least a week or two ahead in terms of flora and fauna, but we're quickly catching up. While things are greening up after some much needed rain, this past weekend the landscape was still mostly monochromatic earth tones. However, in small ways spring's vibrant colors were detectable in the form of birds, bugs, and blooms. 

On Sunday, the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor was teeming with Setophaga coronata, or "Butter-butts" as some affectionately refer to them. While the Myrtle subspecies probably won't be renamed, the Audubon variant will need to be dealt with so as not to offend. Incidentally, the ancient Greek word myrtos, from which the name "Myrtle" is derived, refers specifically to the Myrtle Plant Myrtus communis — S. coronata eats their berries (and other fruits), but they're primarily insectivorous this time of year. It was also nice to see and hear my first of spirng S. pinus and S. palmarum.

Given recent summer-like temperatures, I thought it wise to make my annual early spring trek to The Nature Conservancy's Spring Green Preserve in Sauk County for Splendid Tiger Beetles. It was very dry prior to the rain we've been getting since the outing. Naturally, I checked the rocky outcroppings for any potential buzztail dangers prior to searching for insects. 

But it didn't take long to find one, the little sentinel monsters of the rocks ...

Moving in for the coveted macro close-up ...

There were Common Claybank present as well ...

What a second ... what's up with this?

From 'A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada':

"Recent DNA studies of the Splendid Tiger Beetle, Common Claybank Tiger Beetle, and Green Claybank Tiger Beetle indicate that these arguments could be moot, as their genes are so similar they may all be one species." (David L. Pearson;C. Barry Knisley;Charles J. Kazilek.)

I observed three different copulating pairs, in each case a more bronze-colored male was either mating with or mate guarding a green-colored female.

Copulation! See the male's aedeagus (sex organ)? Ever since I first found Splendids and Claybanks together on the bluff's outcroppings at Spring Green Preserve, I thought about the possibility of interbreeding — there are notable variants; some look more Splendid than Claybank, and vice versa. 

The deed is done, but now he's mate guarding ...

Male tiger beetles engage in mate guarding to ensure their paternity and reproductive success. By guarding a female after mating, a male can prevent other males from mating with her, thereby increasing the likelihood that his sperm will fertilize her eggs. 

Did you know that tiger beetles can toss small rocks to injure their prey?

Just kidding. I think this beetle mistook it for something living. After a quick sampling with its mandibles, it almost immediately set it down and resumed hunting. On occasion I have observed on gusty days tiger beetles will notice small debris blowing on the surface and chase them down for mandibular inspection.

And some additional portraits ...

Nestled within the picturesque Baraboo Hills, Baxter's Hollow is a haven for ephemeral wildflower enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of Nature. On a recent excursion, I was captivated by the delicate beauty of Bloodroot, Round-lobed Hepatica, Yellow Trout Lily, and American Beauty. These native gems adorned the forest floor along Otter Creek, painting a scene of natural elegance.

Though not intrinsically difficult subjects, photographing wildflowers offers a unique opportunity to blend scientific observation with a deep appreciation for the beauty of Nature. In capturing the intricate details of wildflowers, photographers not only contribute to seasonal botanical documentation, but also immerse themselves in the present moment, cultivating a type of connection. Each photograph becomes a snapshot of biodiversity, highlighting the delicate balance of ecosystems and the resilience of plant life. It's especially rewarding after a long Wisconsin winter, marveling at the wonders of the natural world, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us this time of year.

And Mayapple from another location ...

And what weekend outing would be complete without a visit to the Sauk City Canoe Launch for tiger beetles?

There were hundreds of Bronzed Tiger Beetles.

But still only a few Big Sand ...

These are different angles of the same individual. 

Smile, big guy! 

So, that's 5 tiger beetle species already! As spring unfolds, each bird, wildflower, and tiger beetle captures a moment in Nature's ever-changing tapestry. Through photography, we preserve these fleeting glimpses and deepen our connection to the beauty and resilience of the natural world. Let's cherish these moments and continue to explore the wonders of the spring season.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

How people use websites to argue...

Jim: "Kevin, Read this article — it's flat."

Kevin: "Wrong — it's a sphere."

Jamie: "You're both idiots — it's a pyramid."

Jim: "Look, I've done my own research — it's flat."

Totality!

"Why is it that showers and even storms seem to come by chance, so that many people think it quite natural to pray for rain or fine weather, though they would consider it ridiculous to ask for an eclipse by prayer?"

― Henri Poincaré

I have witnessed a number of lunar eclipses, several partial solar eclipses, and now a second total solar eclipse ― the recent April 8th one was absolutely incredible. After the 2017 trip to Nebraska (there are personal reasons to forget it), I wasn't sure I wanted to travel to see this one, but Sue Ulschmid convinced me to do so. Harrisburg, IL wasn't nearly as far of a drive (6 to 7 hours) and 4 minutes of totality started playing on my mind. 

What about the weather, though? Well, that's just it.

As a longtime amateur astronomer, this is the gamble with any celestial event. I was very fortunate to have clear skies for the 2004 and 2012 Venus Transits. But there have been plenty of planetary conjunctions, meteor showers, northern lights, and other astronomical phenomenon that were clouded out ― the weather gods rule by pitiless indifference to our plans and desires. There's a lot of logistical effort that goes into something like this and cloud cover can make or break it. This is often why amateur astronomers say "Clear Skies!" for a pleasant farewell. 

The trip down to Harrisburg was a bit rainy, but forecasts for eclipse day were indicating as much as 50% cloud cover. Not to worry, it would still be a decent spectacle even if totality was blocked by a large inopportune cumulus cloud. By Sunday evening, cloud cover prognostications dropped to 45%, then 35%, and then 25%. I liked the trend ― things were looking good! There was yet another decision to make come morning ― venture away from Harrisburg for clearer skies after checking GOES or stay put? At the motel there was a mix of opinions among umbraphiles on where to go.

We decided to stay put and our gamble paid off. In fact, it did so for millions of observers throughout the path of totality, except for parts of Texas and New York. Even so, sometimes eclipse photographs with clouds make for interesting composition. Still, my friend John Rummel drove during the early morning hours to get to Vermont from New York for better viewing conditions. 

While my totality exposures were set for a large solar corona, John went for a prominence shot which turned out fantastically ...

This is about what it looked like viewing it through my Celestron 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope sans neutral density solar filter, but the prominences were more defined and seemed to almost shimmer. Naturally, solar filters are put back in place before the second Diamond Ring. 

After C3 (third contact), there was one more shot I wanted to get with the moon's silhouetted disc just touching a group of sunspots ...

With events like this, sometimes I ponder if there was anything I could have done differently to make the experience better. I get so excited I tend to forget about my gear and photographic plans, like forgetting to take the ND filter off the C8 at totality for the first minute. It was fine, because I was busy digiscoping it with my spotter, and Sue was using her Nikon and 200mm lens to take photos. Sue looked into the C8 and said "Hey, I can't see anything!" I quickly popped off the solar filter and took a peak and was gobsmacked by how cool it looked. Almost immediately, I called nearby eclipse observers over to take a peak who didn't have optics ― they were blown away. Sue and I enjoyed taking turns looking the C8, and then just staring up at the sky. Suddenly, the Diamond Ring flashed and totality was over. 

I wish I could relive those 4 minutes.

All in all it was a super-successful trip. There won't be another total solar eclipse in the US until 2044 (Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota), which would put me at 77. Maybe I'll still be around, maybe not. The April 8th 2024 total solar eclipse will be tough to beat!

Postscript:

I had heard that one news reporter was so enthralled viewing the eclipse at totality that in his excitement he blurted out "Only god could do this!' Well, here's an experiment for you. All you need is a flashlight and two small rocks (perhaps a small one to represent the moon, and a larger one for Earth). Line them up with the flashlight turned on so that one rock is occulted by the other. So, there you go ― now you're god. Solar system "rocks" are just larger and eclipses are perfectly naturally occurring phenomenon that do not require the divine to explain or understand them.

Most images © 2024 Mike McDowell

A Special Day!

"Sometimes people really don’t have our best interests in mind."

― Oscar Auliq-Ice

Seems like everyone gets their own holiday these days ...

March Ends

"It's spider season. Every year, right about now, thousands of the godless eight-legged bastards emerge from the bowels of hell (or the garden, whichever's nearest) with the sole intention of tormenting humankind."

― Charlie Brooker

Shoreline Wolf Spiders Arctosa littoralis were abundant at the Sauk City Canoe Launch on Saturday, and some were decently sized ― this one about the diameter of a 50-cent piece ...

Aren't they adorable?

These nocturnal hunters thrive in sandy habitats like dunes, beaches, and salt marshes, where their solitary nature and exceptional speed make them formidable predators. Unlike other spiders, Arctosa littoralis doesn't spin a web; instead, it relies on keen eyesight and agility to hunt insects and small invertebrates under the cover of night. These spiders play a crucial role in their ecosystem by helping to control insect populations and serving as a food source for birds, reptiles, and other spiders. However, like many coastal species, Arctosa littoralis faces threats from habitat destruction and pollution. 

With the sun behind a cloud, the spider casts almost no shadow, making it even trickier to detect ...

With the ground temperature reaching 60 degrees, there were tiger beetles about the sand as well. Four species were present: Big Sand, Festive, Bronzed, and Oblique-lined, but in small numbers. Again, these are record-early for me ― I've never had this many tiger beetles prior to April. 

There was just a single Big Sand Tiger Beetle and I only had one photographic opportunity with it ― I saw it make a few escape flights during my search of the sand. During one pursuit, it retreated to the grass where I finally lost track of it. 

Here's a Festive ...

Some side-views ...

And the coveted front-angled view ...

Though non-native, patches of Draba decorated the sandy habitat ― a favorite "little weed" to some!

And it's also time, once again, to start looking for spring ephemeral wildflowers ...

Pasque Flowers aren't as abundant at the Pheasant Branch drumlin this spring, but there were a few open in the late afternoon sun ...

Perhaps it's still early?

But there were signs ...

That perhaps they're past peak ...

Consider how tiny this ant is ...

An annual visit to see and photograph Plasque Flowers at Pheasant Branch is a cherished event for the naturalist. Sometimes they're so numerous they transform the landscape with their vibrant colors and delicate beauty. Walking among them and noticing the quiet diligence of tiny ants pollinating the flowers, this serene scene serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of every creature, no matter how small, in the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

And just a tidbit about aves this weekend ...

Sayornis phoebes have returned to the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor. For me, their arrival marks a significant moment in the avian cycle of season migration. Their distinctive fee-bee calls announce the arrival of a more committed spring ― they are insectivores. Their return from wintering grounds not only signifies the onset of warmer weather but also promises an abundance of insect life, which they eagerly hunt on the wing. 

Pheasant Branch & Middleton Area

March 30th, 2024 

47 Species

Anser canadensis

Aix sponsa

Anas platyrhynchos

Anas crecca

Aythya collaris

Bucephala albeola

Meleagris gallopavo

Podilymbus podiceps

Columba livia

Zenaida macroura

Antigone canadensis

Charadrius vociferus

Larus delawarensis

Cathartes aura

Accipiter cooperii

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Buteo jamaicensis

Melanerpes carolinus

Picoides pubescens

Picoides villosus

Colaptes auratus

Falco sparverius

Falco columbarius

Sayornis phoebe

Cyanocitta cristata

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Poecile atricapillus

Baeolophus bicolor

Eremophila alpestris

Regulus satrapa

Sitta carolinensis

Troglodytes hiemalis

Sturnus vulgaris

Sialia sialis

Turdus migratorius

Passer domesticus

Haemorhous mexicanus

Spinus tristis

Passerella iliaca

Junco hyemalis

Zonotrichia albicollis

Melospiza melodia

Sturnella magna

Agelaius phoeniceus

Molothrus ater

Quiscalus quiscula

Cardinalis cardinalis

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell