3.14.2024

Winter Tiger Beetles? Yes!

"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

3.05.2024

It's March!

"In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours."

— Mark Twain
Happy March!

It was a weekend of unseasonably warm weather with strong southerly winds, but it was still great to spend a lot of time outdoors. Bird migration is picking up! In one form or another, migration is occurring somewhere in the world — birds are almost always on the move. Though some birds have been returning to southern Wisconsin since early February, things really begin to pick up during March. 

At Pope Farm Conservancy, I was struck by the welcoming spring songs of Melospiza melodia during a midday walk. Perched on a thick branch, the sparrow's brown plumage blended with the early spring landscape, devoid of greenery. Despite the starkness, there was a unique charm to the brown tones of the season. The sparrow's melody seemed to fill the vastness of the conservancy, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. This moment reminded me of nature's simple yet profound beauty, bringing joy even on a busy day of hiking.
Assessing the situation, a turn, and then ...
Full-send!
Though I covered Pope Farm's entire area, I found only a single male Sialia sialis...
He was using this post as an observation platform to find food ...
Something catches its eye!
And return with some kind of grub.
Soften it up ...
And down the hatch quicker than I could capture!
At the marsh and pond along Highway 14 just before Middleton, I found an opportunity to observe and photograph Agelaius phoeniceus in their element. These striking birds, with their glossy black plumage and vibrant red epaulettes, were a sight to behold against the early spring landscape. As I watched, the males were actively defending territories, engaging in impressive displays of aggression to ward off potential intruders. Despite their intense territorial behavior, they paid little attention to me, allowing me to observe and capture their beauty up close.
Having been a birder for over three decades, I have always been captivated by the displays of Red-winged Blackbirds — they're the true harbingers of spring with distinctive conk-la-reee calls, even though they're common. In a way, birders should be grateful that there are still avian species this abundant — a testament to their evolutionary success. Despite their sometimes aggressive nature, I have never experienced any direct hostility from these birds. Friends have told me they've been attacked by them, flying to the top of their heads, poking or biting their hair and scalp. I've been squawked at, but never attacked.
Wait a sec ... am I getting the low-angle stink eye?
Nope! Resumption of displays ...
 The head-on angle is a little disconcerting, nearly intimidating ...
It's serious business and their determination cannot be denied. 
Uh oh, intruder spotted ...
A face-off between two males ensues ...
Though it starts with what appears to be tolerance, they both flew off to the foot of the cattails and began fighting, flapping, and flopping around. The melee went on for a couple of minutes without the appearance of a clear winner. I suppose only they know the outcome
One male returns to his perch ...
And the follows suit, carries on as well ...
Wow! Was this the victor's display?
Alas, the first ones to return are celebrated and praised, but eventually they become as ubiquitous across prairies and wetlands almost as stars in the night sky. Still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and appreciation for the resilience of these remarkable icterids. They serve as a seasonal reminder that Nature has a way of captivating and inspiring us, if only we take the time to notice. 
Given temperatures rising into the 70s on Sunday, I decided to check a few tiger beetle haunts. Alas, none were found but I did find a few Cuerna fenestella sharpshooter hoppers.
Onto the Sauk City Canoe Launch ...
Alas, no tiger beetles here either yet, but I did find a few small wolf spiders and dipterans on the beach.
In March, Nature orchestrates a symphony of life as creatures of all shapes and sizes come alive in a dazzling display of activity. Birds return to their breeding grounds, filling the air with their songs and vibrant colors. Meanwhile, insects emerge from dormancy, amphibians begin their annual migrations, and mammals become more active in preparation for the breeding season. Each species plays its part in this phenological spectacle, creating a harmonious tapestry of life that reminds us of the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

2.27.2024

Bigot

"The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

— Treaty of Tripoli, signed by John Adams in 1796, ratified, made law in 1797.
There seems to be a profound confusion about the relationship between religion and government in the United States, often held by those on the right side of the political spectrum. This isn't anything new, as I've observed it for decades with respect to the Evolution versus Creationism debates you'll find on all manner of platforms. I've always found it to be a fascinating topic, deeply rooted in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as matters concerning the biological sciences. 

As you likely know, the amendment contains two clauses that are crucial for understanding this relationship: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause.

Here's the amendment's text:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another. This means that the government cannot promote or endorse any specific religious beliefs. Instead, it must remain neutral when it comes to matters of religion. This clause ensures that everyone has the freedom to practice their own religion or no religion at all, without interference from the government.

On the other hand, the Free Exercise Clause protects individuals' right to practice their religion freely, as long as their practices do not violate a valid and neutral law. This clause ensures that individuals are free to worship according to their beliefs without fear of persecution. Together, these clauses create a "wall of separation" between church and state, ensuring that religious freedom is protected while also preventing the government from imposing or endorsing any particular religious beliefs.

Any kid can privately pray in a public school if they want to, even a group of kids can, but a teacher cannot direct prayer or advance religion. Also, biblical creationism is verboten in public schools, unless it's part of a class of philosophy or religion. Science? No — it isn't science. However, private religious schools, knock yourself out — pray to your heart's content and feel free to believe and discuss any creation myth you'd like to.

Confused?

Imagine the First Amendment as a color palette, with the Establishment Clause painted in the color blue and the Free Exercise Clause in the color red. Individually, these clauses represent important aspects of religious freedom. However, when these "colors" are blended together, they create a new hue: the concept of separation of church and state likened to the color purple. Thus, while the phrase "separation of church and state" may not be explicitly stated in the Constitution, it emerges naturally from the combination of these two clauses. Just as mixing blue and red creates purple, the amalgamation of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause gives rise to the principle that government should neither establish a religion nor interfere with the free exercise of religion, effectively creating a separation between matters of state and matters of faith.

Like or not, agree with it or not, this is what the founders intended.

Thus, what ought to be an obvious and inherent sense of separation in the Constitution is not always respected by certain politicians. In recent years there have been debates and controversies surrounding the intersection of religion and government, with some individuals, such as Oklahoma Senator Tom Woods, making rather bigoted statements. For example, Senator Woods recently referred to LGBTQ people as "filth" and expressed a desire to keep them out of Oklahoma because it is a "Christian state." Such blatant hateful rhetoric raises questions about the boundaries of religious freedom and the role of government in protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or identities.

For such people, there's an almost hypocritical contrast between the reverence for the U.S. Constitution, often symbolized by carrying around a pocket copy, and misunderstandings or selective interpretations of its contents. The First Amendment, in particular, is a cornerstone of American democracy, protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government. 

Protect it, or lose it at our nation's peril. 

2.24.2024

What is the Reason?

"Never reason the reason behind trying something reasonable. It’s the new things that bring excitement and becomes a reason for many people to fight the low phase."

― Shahenshah Khan
On February 14th during my morning commute, I saw my first Agelaius phoeniceus of the year at the cattail marsh along Mineral Point Road just before Pine Bluff. They're just a little early. First there were two, the next day there were six ― now there's a whole bunch of them clamoring away as they establish territories with song and skirmishes. 
Their return is heralded by the melodic trill of males perched on cattails and reeds, proudly displaying their vibrant red and yellow shoulder patches. Against the backdrop of awakening marshlands and budding trees, these birds bring a burst of color and song, signaling the renewal of life and the promise of warmer days ahead. Having said that, temperatures in southern Wisconsin the past few weeks have been anywhere between single digits and the low 60s ― the weather is so screwed up. It's cold again today, but next week it'll feel like early May. Tiger Beetles might emerge!
C. cardinalis song has been going strong since early January, which is one of the very first phenological signs of a new year of appreciating the aves. Though outdoor hikes to natural areas have been regular weekend excursions, I haven't been padding my annual list the way many Sport Birders™ do. Since I work right next to TNC's Barneveld Prairie, I regularly get new species just walking from my car to the building. But sometimes I take a short walk into the prairie during a break. It might be interesting to do a birding non-birding year and just see how many species one can get just from a practice of incidental observation.
I know that some birders become overly competitive or intense in their pursuit of adding new species to their annual lists. There are cases where this leads to behaviors that prioritize adding new species over ethical considerations, such as disturbing wildlife or habitats, trespassing, or disregarding conservation guidelines. But hey, I've yuck'd that yum far too many times on this blog in the past, and doing so gets old. To be sure, a withdrawal from the birding community has had its benefits. 
Which brings me to my why comment from yesterday's obligatory anniversary post ― why should I keep doing this blog? I suppose I still get something out of it, but perhaps I'm due for another hiatus like the one from 2019. Do I have anything more to say? Not really. Which is partly why I've posted non-naturey interests of mine the past few years. But who cares about that? Blogger is such an antiquated social media platform, too. But Facebook disgusts me and I haven't been sharing much content there, either. Perhaps as I approach 60, more and more, I'm becoming just another grumpy old man. 
The true beauty of Nature reveals itself when we let go of the urge to capture and share every moment on social media or pad eBird lists. Instead of viewing the outdoors as a backdrop for content creation, simply being present in Nature can be a deeply rewarding experience. When we immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world without the distraction of documenting it for others, we open ourselves up to a more profound connection with the environment. It allows us to fully appreciate the subtle wonders around us, from the delicate dance of leaves in the breeze to the fleeting glimpse of a shy woodland creature. These moments, unburdened by the pressure to perform for an audience, can nourish the soul in ways that no number of likes or shares ever could.

This will never change until I can no longer do so.
Hit the trail ...
Walk and breathe ...
Observe ...
Appreciate just being out there as finite mortal creatures. 
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell