20 and 80!

"Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book."

― Bill Watterson

But not if you have good rain gear! A soggy 3-hour hike rendered 20 warbler species yesterday at the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor and 80 total aves. It was the first day of my May birding vacation. I'm about to head out the door to a sunnier day, but the temperatures are starting in the mid-forties. Winds were out of the northeast, so expectations are somewhat low for new arrivals. Still, if even half the birds from yesterday are still there, it'll still be a fun excursion with better light. 

Branta canadensis

Aix sponsa

Anas platyrhynchos

Lophodytes cucullatus

Meleagris gallopavo

Zenaida macroura

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Chaetura pelagica

Antigone canadensis

Charadrius vociferus

Ardea herodias

Cathartes aura

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Buteo jamaicensis

Megaceryle alcyon

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Melanerpes carolinus

Picoides pubescens

Picoides villosus

Colaptes auratus

Sayornis phoebe

Myiarchus crinitus

Vireo flavifrons

Vireo solitarius

Vireo gilvus

Vireo olivaceus

Cyanocitta cristata

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Poecile atricapillus

Baeolophus bicolor

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Hirundo rustica

Sitta carolinensis

Polioptila caerulea

Troglodytes aedon

Troglodytes troglodytes

Sturnus vulgaris

Dumetella carolinensis

Catharus ustulatus

Hylocichla mustelina

Turdus migratorius

Bombycilla cedrorum

Passer domesticus

Haemorhous mexicanus

Spinus tristis

Spizella passerina

Zonotrichia leucophrys

Zonotrichia albicollis

Melospiza melodia

Melospiza georgiana

Icterus spurius

Icterus galbula

Agelaius phoeniceus

Molothrus ater

Quiscalus quiscula

Seiurus aurocapilla

Parkesia noveboracensis

Vermivora chrysoptera

Vermivora cyanoptera

Mniotilta varia

Oreothlypis celata

Leiothlypis peregrina

Setophaga petechia

Setophaga ruticilla

Setophaga americana

Setophaga parula

Setophaga magnolia

Setophaga castanea

Setophaga fusca

Setophaga coronata

Setophaga virens

Cardellina canadensis

Cardellina pusilla

Piranga olivacea

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Passerina cyanea

Cardinalis cardinalis

Guiraca caerulea

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

When: BTBW @ PBC

These are all my spring BTBW sightings at the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor over the past 30 years.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

GAS Update!

"Is this not the collector's exquisite pleasure, that his desire should know no bounds, should reach out into the infinite, should never know full possession which disappoints by its very completeness. O what joy to be able to postpone the fulfillment of desire to infinity!"

― Georges Rodenbach

"This is true of all collecting. It extinguishes the moral instinct — the object finally possesses the possessor."

― John Fowles

Yes, so why have one when you can have two for twice the price?

Actually, they're a little different. Both guitars are part of Fender's 70th Anniversary collection and these are both '54 Stratocasters. On the left is the new Vintage II, and my previously purchased Custom Shop model on the right. Differences are subtle. I like the fact that the Vintage II has a 3-way switch, which is what the first Stratocasters had prior to the change 5-way. Though not easy to see from the photos, the Vintage II also has more rounded headstock edges. There was a split in 1954 — the first run had the rounded edges, but partway through the year they sharpened them a bit. Atheistically, I prefer the 2-tone wide sunburst on the Custom Shop model's finish. Having setup both guitars, I can't really tell if there's a difference in tone between them — both are very Straty sounding.

Fender's Robin Trower Artist Signature Stratocaster is available in Midnight Wine, Arctic White, and Black. I picked up this Satin Lake Placid Blue US-made Strat body to give it a new look. Trower actually has one in this color except it's gloss instead of satin. I really like the way the pearloid fret dots match the body color.

This is a super-sweet guitar that's ideal for capturing Trower's bluesy sound, known for his emotive bends and warm, rich overdrive.

And then this happened ...

Dirty Lemon Glow's body was infested with borer beetles! Back in early April I noticed the first hole and repaired it, but then two more showed up. That's when I knew it was an insect issue. Thankfully, Warmoth is covering a replacement under warranty, but I've requested the wood be changed to Black Korina instead of the original Swamp Ash. It's going be awhile before it's finished. So, DLG's Seymour Duncan pickups were stored, along with its neck and other hardware. Prior to the above Trower refresh, I bought a black Stratocaster replacement body. Since I didn't use it for that, over the weekend I decided to assemble this Black Stratocaster from DLG's components. The neck is an American Vintage II  1957 "V" and all the chrome hardware is Fender. It's super bad-ass, so I've decided to do something different with the replacement Warmoth body once I get it back.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

It's May!

"At last came the golden month of the wild folk ― honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year."

― Samuel Scoville

Warbler season is underway, but instead of the usual waves, it's been more of a trickle so far. It remains to be seen how the season will unfold by mid-May, but this spring migration has been rather underwhelming. Nonetheless, it's difficult to be disappointed with 20 warbler species. I might be a bit spoiled by some of the more impressive early May migrations I've experienced in the past. The early leaf-out this year is making it challenging to get clear views through binoculars, let alone capture good photographs. As a result, expect fewer bird-related blog posts for now.

I've been stopping at a productive spot along Military Ridge State Trail near the Sugar River on my way into work the past week — tallying a number of FOYs. I've biked this trail in the past, but I must say one can appreciate its scenic beauty much better on foot. For the weekend, though, it's always the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor to start, then maybe other nearby locations like Marshall Park and Governor's Island. 

Yesterday I found my first Six-spotted Tiger Beetles of spring at Deer Creek, which is just across the street from my apartment. 

It was midday, so the lighting was rather harsh and contrasty ...

I've gone to Pope Farm Conservancy for Six-spotted along the rock wall, but for whatever reason, they emerge later at this location. Checking previous records, right around mid-May. The rock wall helps to render better portraits, as the predaceous beetles are often at angles relative to the sunlight. 

May offers a rich tapestry of natural wonders for naturalists to explore and enjoy in southern Wisconsin. As the weather warms up, the landscape comes alive with a burst of activity. Birds that have migrated back for the breeding season are actively singing and nesting. Warblers, with their vibrant colors, are particularly stunning and sought-after by birders. The woodlands and wetlands are filled with the sounds of frogs and toads calling for mates, while wildflowers like trilliums, bluebells, and columbines carpet the forest floor with a riot of colors.

Don't miss it!

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

A Room

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

April Ends!

"The best place to study nature is in the field. The woods are great classrooms, and nature's great book is ever open before us. We may read from its pages, and no matter how much we learn, we find that we can still read more."

— John Burroughs

Directive 1: Put away your smartphones. 

Early Sunday morning it was gray and overcast, a prelude to rain for most of the day. There were many new arrivals and I added a couple dozen species over the weekend to my non-existent 2024 list. I sure am glad I gave up eBirding, jibing some birders I walked past who were staring at their smartphones entering data. "You're doing it wrong — look up into the trees!" I said. They weren't really all that humored, briefly glancing up from their connectivity but then immediately going back to work.

Directive 2: Please stop doing this everywhere you bird ...

You know what you're doing? You're spreading Garlic Mustard, that's what. This invasive plant is so resilient it will still go to seeds despite being pulled out by its roots. If you're going to pull it, bag it, and remove it from the conservancy. Rainwater will wash the seeds off the paved trail, rapidly infecting more habitat. To be sure, there's so much Garlic Mustard at the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor it's really a lost cause. Still, whenever I see the pulled plant littered along the trail, I think of a generic pseudo-naturalist/birder wearing a Tilley hat and think "Look at me, I'm helping!" But you're not.

Anyway, here comes May!

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

Just Bins!

"Like all magnificent things, it's very simple."

― Natalie Babbitt

Birding solo with just a trusty pair of binoculars offers a serene and intimate connection with Nature that's hard to replicate in group outings. The tranquility of the moment, the ability to move at your own pace, and the heightened awareness of your surroundings create a deeply rewarding experience. It's a time for mindfulness, for embracing the sounds and sights around you, and for reveling in the freedom to explore wherever your curiosity leads. 

And no eBirding!

Most species below were observed at the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor this morning, but others at the west confluence pond. Bumped into the venerable Chuck Henrikson, who was looking for an S. palmarum he had heard (from another birder) was in a particular area ― I found it by its chip-note. Perhaps challenging given all the S. coronata clamor, but relatively easy for me. 

Branta canadensis

Aix sponsa

Spatula discors

Spatula clypeata

Anas platyrhynchos

Anas crecca

Aythya affinis

Meleagris gallopavo

Columba livia

Zenaida macroura

Antigone canadensis

Charadrius vociferus

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

Larus delawarensis

Ardea herodias

Cathartes aura

Accipiter cooperii

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Buteo jamaicensis

Megaceryle alcyon

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Picoides pubescens

Picoides villosus

Colaptes auratus

Sayornis phoebe

Cyanocitta cristata

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Baeolophus bicolor

Tachycineta bicolor

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Regulus calendula

Sitta carolinensis

Certhia americana

Polioptila caerulea

Troglodytes aedon

Troglodytes troglodytes

Sturnus vulgaris

Turdus migratorius

Bombycilla cedrorum

Passer domesticus

Haemorhous mexicanus

Haemorhous purpureus

Spinus tristis

Spizella passerina

Junco hyemalis

Zonotrichia albicollis

Melospiza melodia

Melospiza georgiana

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Agelaius phoeniceus

Molothrus ater

Quiscalus quiscula

Setophaga palmarum

Setophaga coronata

Cardinalis cardinalis

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

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