An Interesting End of Summer

Double Rainbows

Since starting Wacouta Nature Notes a couple years ago, I have come to realize that some of my most unusual experiences are a result of dumb luck. Being in the right place at the right time is paramount to observing and photographing natural events worthy of sharing.

That was definitely true in the late afternoon of August 27th as a brief thunderstorm moved through Wacouta resulting in a double rainbow.

Doe and Fawn

Since explaining in my last post why Wacouta Pond stayed high most of the summer, the river and pond have both dropped significantly. As I drove by the pond on the morning of August 29th, I observed a doe and spot covered fawn standing just off the road in the mud covered bottom land forest. It was surprising the fawn still exhibited spots heading into September.

Hen Wood Ducks

On several previous posts, I have featured the wetland area west of Goodhue County Road 21 just over the railroad tracks In Wacouta Township created by a family of beavers. It is a safe and convenient location to pull off the side of the road and observe an array of different wildlife activity. In the early morning of August 31st, I observed several wood ducks, a Great Blue Heron and and pair of Sandhill Cranes.

Great Blue Heron

Sandhill Crane

Goldenrod and Purple Loosestrife

On the same morning, the vibrant colors of goldenrod and purple loosestrife were stunning. Purple loosestrife is native to Europe and Asia and was accidentally introduced to the United States through contaminated cargo ship ballast.

It also entered the U.S. by deliberate importation of seeds sold and planted for landscaping plantings. Because of it's negative impacts on native plants, purple loosestrife is now illegal to sell in most states.

Monarch and Goldenrod

On my Saturday morning August 31st interpretive hike at Frontenac State Park, members of my hiking group and I had a rare and memorable opportunity to observe a peak moment in the annual fall monarch migration. As we hiked along the edge of a restored prairie predominately consisting of Canada goldenrod, monarchs were fluttering everywhere. We estimated that in a distance of 1/2 mile over a 30 minutes, we observed between 300 and 400 monarchs.

According to local monarch expert Diane Mueller, goldenrod is one of the most important prairie plants to provide nourishment for migrating monarchs. Interestingly enough, at exactly the same time John Tittle was experiencing the same phenomenon adjacent to a field of goldenrod in Hay Creek Township.

Milkweed Tossock Moth Larva

In the evening of September 6th, I received a phone call from Maren Holst an avid naturalist from Lake City. She suggested I check milkweed plants along the bike trail in search of the larvae of milkweed tussock moths.

Milkweed gets its name from the sticky white sap which contains poisonous chemicals called glycosides. Caterpillars of both the monarch butterfly and the tussock moth contain these glycosides and retain them as they develop into an adult.

Birds that prey upon the larva or adult insects become violently sick and vomit their meal. In the future, the birds will recognize their prey and know when to leave well enough alone.

The primary predator of the tussock moth are night flying bats. The resourceful moth has evolved an organ that emits an ultrasonic signal easily detected by bats. The signal warns that the attack will be rewarded with a distasteful meal and bats soon learn to avoid these moths in the future.

Maria Fasado

Nearly 50 years ago as the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center was being established, a meaningful mission statement was at the forefront. It was decided that outdoor educational experiences would be offered to help participants develop an understanding and respect for our natural environment.

For a surprising number of those participants, those hands on experiences led to a career in environmental education or the conservation of our natural resources. On Thursday September 6th, Kathy and I had the good fortune to spend the afternoon visiting the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge near Ortonville with Maria Fosado an ELC graduate. Maria is the assistant manager of the refuge and a Wetland Management District in southwestern Minnesota.

Prior to her 3 years at Big Stone, Maria was employed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and stationed in Fergus Fall for 7 years. On our tour of the refuge with Maria, it was easy to see how knowledgeable she was of the ecology of the area and capable of meeting daily challenges in her job. Congratulations Maria upon your many accomplishments and making us very proud.