Anger in nature

Anger in Nature Earl Plato
Righteous anger? What are you talking about, Plato? I want to give you another view of one of our so-called gentle animals. In nature what animals erupt into an offensive mood if their young are threatened? That’s right - the mother - the female of a species. What would turn the normally passive nature of a cottontail mother into an aggressive protector? Is it right for a mother rabbit to be angry, even ferocious, when their young are in danger? Of course. Following is a true scenario of such a case from nature writer, Ed Teale. “At the edge of the yard on this farm, a mother rabbit had made her nest. One day, as the owner of the farm looked that way he saw a cottontail catch sight of a large blacksnake weaving through the grass toward the fur-lined depression containing her young. On that instant she bounded to meet the advancing serpent. When she was almost upon it she leaped into the air passing over the snake and lashing out with her hind feet. The serpent writhed and struck blindly. Again and again the mother cottontail attacked raking the serpent’s body with the claws of its hind feet. Long red scratches appeared on the shining length of the blacksnake. Whenever it swung toward the nest the cottontail - usually so timid. usually so peaceful - renewed her “hit-and-run” attack. They ended only when the bleeding reptile crawled away - leaving the baby cottontails unharmed within their nest.”
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Writer’s Note: Since my reason article about snakes I have had calls about them. Have you seen a blacksnake lately? They are not common locally and not venomous. At the Virginia Live Animal Center several years ago a large blacksnake, over three feet long, was passed to me by one of the Grade Six students present. It was a beautiful specimen almost nineteen years old we were told by the staff curator. In turn after I admired it I passed it on. Dry and cool in our hands, yes. All four of us Canadians - Earl, Bud, Harold, and Ed held the impressive snake. This was the same kind of snake that eats birds’ eggs in tree nests and yes, little rabbits. Mothers are there to deter them if they can. Thank goodness for good mothers, eh.

moth balls

NN4505 Earl Plato
It’s over. For some seven years I paced off the fields on the west side of Gorham Road in Ridgeway. Why? That “purple plague” Purple loosestrife ( Lythrun salicaria ) was growing in that area each year and progressing into the wetlands. My records show that it had grown from over ten paces starting at the roadside to over 700 during those years. Now it’s over. A huge building development wiped out the aggressive alien weed. No more Purple loosestrife there but look around the town. It’s still here and increasing in number along our ditches ans into fields. Once established it is hard to remove. Any plans to control it? Remember it displaces good plants that are necessary food sources for many of our animals. ***
Amazing Helen Glendenning of Queenston! As of July 23rd, 2005 she turned ninety. Born in 1915 in Toronto of Scottish parentage she wrote me a four page letter recently. We should live to that age with such a clarity of word and penmanship. Amazing! Helen has written me before about nature observations. I share a portion of this letter. “ One of my family gave me a present of binoculars and a Peterson Bird guide which set me off on a lifetime of pleasure. ... I wanted to tell you of a curious happening this week. I had set out moth balls amid branches at the foot of my Blue spruce to deter raccoons from dropping loads of feces at the base of the tree. It didn’t work. .... The mothballs had evaporated into smaller balls and scattered about. I first noticed a grackle acting strangely. He picked up a ball and tried to stick it into or under his wing. He kind of toppled sideways in order to do this. The next day there were seven or eight of them doing “it” to get her. They would split the mothball into parts and run and pick it up. Right now there are two grackles fighting over a moth ball. I didn’t think any creature would even touch them because of the strong odour. They must not be very good for them. I have heard of “anting” and this could be about the same behaviour.”
Writer’s Note: Any readers identify with Helen’s unusual “moth balls and birds” incident? Let me know.

nn4402 Earl Plato
Almost the end of August last year and a chance to walk Marcy Woods and butterfly meadows. It’s been a long time - almost two months since I entered one of my favourite nature areas. The right ankle - tendonitis and all - was in pretty good shape.
Rob Eberly set up the ramble for Saturday. “Bring your lunch. We don’t know how long we will be,” was his advice.
Who was going? None other than our butterfly expert, Melvin Dell of the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservancy. The other three of us were from the Bert Miller Nature Club - Rob, Dr. Rick Stockton, and myself.
A glorious summer morning as we started into Marcy Woods on the Lower Trail. Rob’s plan was to walk the Woods then the meadows.
Quiet, very still as we walked the undulating forested path. With few walkers these past months the pathway was growing in. Common plantain carpeted the trail. A hop tree was covered with tiny caterpillars. Rick Stockton counted 14 Giant Swallowtail butterflies would emerge next June. Rob set up his tripod and snapped the scene. Melvin Dell told us that the Conservancy raises mainly the exotic tropical variety but does hatch some indigenous varieties including monarchs and swallowtails.
We approached the spice bushes that border the trail. I took a leaf and crushed it in my hand. The fragrant and delicate odour I smelled and passed it on to Melvin. Melvin is very knowledgeable as many of you know - not just for the Lepidoptera but for all kinds of plants, shrubs and trees. To our disappointment there was not a profusity of butterflies. Melvin didn’t seem to mind.
We saw one of my favourites, the Spicebush Swallowtail flitting around.
My camera couldn’t catch it on film. Here’s a drawing of mine.
We walked the trail to the rustic Marcy cabin and descended the steps. Back to the cars? Yes and no. Rick decided to walk north up the road pass our vehicles. Here we entered a side trail to the butterfly meadows. All of the years I had been coming here with butterfly lovers this was my first entry this way. The late Dr. Marcy had invited former area naturalist, Ernie Giles, and I to enter the meadows down the farm path. Many times we used this farm lane. Then on Matthew’s Road we entered the Marcy property following mowed pathways. Up until now this was our easiest access to the butterfly fields. Remember this entry is through private property. Butterflies love the towering Joe Pye weed, Boneset, and mikweed that grow profusely here. Blue lobelia and other flowering plants dotted the butterfly meadows. Was that a Buckeye, a Common Buckeye? There’s a Checkerspot. Was that a Meadow fritillary? We saw another Spicebush Swallowtail passing over a stand of Joe Pye. Where were the myriad of butterflies that we had expected to show Melvin Dell. Not his day. It had been a good walk on a beautiful summer day.
Writer’s Note: West Nile virus and mosquitos - not for me. Long sleeved shirt and pants plus OFF. No mosquitos this day.
We never took Melvin to the other attractive trails or to the beautiful beach. Last year Monarchs were in great number clinging on the poplar trees on the expansive beach.
Rob, Rick and I want Melvin to see the rest of the Marcy trails and property. He’s a ‘plant man’ and will relish the great variety found there even if the usual butterflies are not present in greater numbers.
I have the Butterfly Conservancy Guide book. It’s a good buy.
Papilio troilus it’s in the book - page four - Spicebush Swallowtail.
Marcy Woods, beach and meadows have been a blessing to countless nature lovers over the years. May it continue to be so.

A Time to Reflect

Time Alone to Reflect Earl Plato
Like others I have garnered many fine memories of Marcy Woods over the years. This article was written several years ago and because of the recent purchase by the DiCienzo family of this nature gem I repeat my feelings again. I wrote the following: I walked Marcy Woods alone this morning on the property of the late Dr. Marcy. This was my 19th trip here since January usually with interested nature lovers. It wasn’t even mid-June but I knew what’s coming. News reports tells us that the wet spring is promoting a bumper crop of mosquitoes. Soon I will have to wear a mosquito hat/net and some Off. That’s nature.
Out here near the bend of the trail I put my tripod seat firmly into the sand trail bed and “philosophized.” I share much of naturalist writer Ed Teale’s views about nature. Before I start my little perspective on nature, Rosebreasted grosbeaks are serenading behind me. Think of a robin’s fluid notes and upgrade its efforts to formal voice lessons and you have the grosbeak’s song and yes its “Chink-chink” call too.
This is as peaceful a place you might find in Greater Fort Erie. I have no fear being out here alone. There is only the working of God’s natural laws. A yellow birch has fallen across the way and smashed into the soft earth of the wetland. It crushes an ant and misses some others. The tree is directed in its downward course by the natural law of gravity. Perhaps a gust of wind deflected it slightly so the ant on the left was hit not the ones a little to the right. The dead ant buried under the trunk was not the target of the falling birch. No intention was involved in the course it took. One ant is killed and others are spared. I am surrounded by the impartiality of nature but I will continue to thank God for his amazing handiwork. Created by chance? I don’t think so.
Yes, I’ve tripped and fallen out here. If I step on a rotten log and fall nature looks on without concern. If I fall and break my neck that’s another thing. I have faith in a caring God and pray for protection for my family and myself each time I venture out alone. That’s my personal theology.
Teale puts mankind on a level playing ground with all living things. He says “... if you eat poison mushrooms and die, if a mouse is killed by a weasel, if a rabbit is surprised by a fox or a bird falls into the talons of a hawk” Teale says, “it is all up to us - to all living things - to mankind and mouse and rabbit and bird to be on guard.”
I believe that a Creator God loves us all. That’s a level living ground for me based on a personal faith. That doesn’t mean ignoring natural laws. There is both the terror and the pain; the brightness and the beauty in nature. Both must be seen and recognized. Teale says, “Neither can be ignored. Nature is not gentle but there are warm and gentle breezes. For even the most timid and hunted of creatures, there are moments of peace and natural pleasure.”
Enjoy DiCienzo’s Marcy Woods this year for it gives to many natural enjoyment.
I hope to visit Ed Teale’s Trailwood Sanctuary in Massachusetts this July, 2007. I will compare it with Marcy Woods and report my observations.

The Mighty Tulip Tree

NN1506B Earl Plato
It’s magnificent and it’s in DiCienzo’s Marcy Woods. in Fort Erie, Ontario. John Kieran, nature writer, has described this forest wonder and I quote from him. “There is a tall and stalwart tree that is not only magnificent in bulk but distinctive in almost every part.” It has a trunk like a Greek column, It has a lovely flower that late Fort Erie naturalist. Bert Miller , captured on film in 1956. Also it has an odd-shaped leaf and high up conical clusters of winged seeds that will stand out reddish-brown against the cold blue sky in late Autumn. In Winter buds will look like miniature thumbless mittens. That’s not all. Stop on the Lower Trail in Marcy Woods far down the trail and look at and up at Liriodendron tulipfera known as the Tulip Tree. The bark of this old tree is deeply fissured and a rich brown in colour. Looking up to the leafy canopy focus your binoculars on a leaf. They are in a class by themselves. We have no other tree leaf in North America with such square and broadly indented tips. Our Niagara Conservation Authority adopted this unique leaf years ago as its symbol. I have two good photos of the Tulip Tree flower - both of them have six green petals crossed by a bright orange band with yellow borders. It’s an attractive flower usually not seen too well because it grows so high up. Remember this is a Carolinian tree. There are not too many found in Ontario. Most are located in Southern Ontario in areas on the north shore of Lake Erie. Backus Woods near Long Point and Rondeau Provincial Park still have great stands. For some strange reason this tree is also called Yellow Poplar. Poplars are basically weed trees and their lumber virtually useless. Not the magnificent Tulip tree for its wood is prized in the lumber industry. The wood is light and quite strong. Protect our local Tulip trees from being cut for they are long-lived. Watch a Tulip Tree’s leaves in the Fall. They will begin to turn to gold in spots and dappled patches. The late great Fort Erie naturalist, Bert Miller, would probably have said, “Glory to God for dappled things.”
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In the early 1950’s that giant tulip tree of Rosehill was cut down. That tree was 16 ft. 51/2 inches in circumference. I know as a boy I helped measure it. The late Bert Miller tried to protect it. I recall how distraught he was when it fell to the lumbermen. Estimated by University of Western Ontario scientist at over 400 years old. What a shame for the citizens of our town who love trees. Be a protector of defenceless trees.

Yes, I'm a Canadian

Yes, I’m a Canadian Earl Plato
July 1st, Canada Day, 2007. What will you do to celebrate it? Writer Ed Teale tells us, “When July comes summer shifts into high gear.” Here the day after our nation’s birthday we are experiencing the arrival of hazy days and shimmering heat. Stay cool.
In July we should realize that it is a month that looks both forward and backward. Teale tells us July looks forward to autumn and backward to spring. Makes sense, eh.
Have you been watching new birds flocking together? I start to wonder how far off is the fall migration. At the family farm in Sherkston the Purple martins would gather from mid-August on. Seeing them gathering in larger and larger flocks I believe is one of the earliest signs of fall. We experienced this phenomenon each summer. In Thoreau’s journal he wrote: “How early in the year it begins to be late.” ! Let’s look back for there are still signs of spring that abound. Here in July we are still in the time of little things. Little rabbits, newly minted chipmunks, newly fledged birds, sprouts of trees struggling upward, and tadpoles and minnows swimming in the shallows of our ponds. Let’s enjoy the month for we are still in the time of the new. Remember it’s the time of rejuvenation of our natural world. May God, our Creator, give the human race new hope at this time.
xxx I’m hobbling these days. Peter says, “It’s strained ligaments.” Give it a rest. Not so. John Lessle had set up a trip for us to Zoar Valley south of Buffalo. This is rough country. I had to go. Neil, Ray, Earl and 85 year old John drove to the Gowanda area. John is a good and careful driver. No problem. John wanted to take us to the south branch of the Cattaraugus Creek. Down side roads we arrived at a parking lot. On this Thursday there were cars, pickups, and ATV’s there. Surprising. Here the shale cliffs tower 200-300 feet high, We walked down to the water’s edge. I struggled. Neil Reichelt took some pictures. A trail led along the west side of the creek. John pointed out where a tragedy occurred in recent years. Three nature walkers were picking their way along the rock strewn path when an unthinking youth threw a large tree log from above. It struck the one girl killing her instantly. I thought of our Niagara Glen Gorge, Never throw anything below you! Someone may be walking through the underbrush unseen below.
As we said Zoar Valley only 50 miles or so from Fort Erie is rugged country. It had special meaning to some of our local residents. Take a lunch and keep costs down and enjoy the setting, eh.

The big one

iji
nn0903 Earl Plato
It’s good to walk Marcy Woods on this growing warmer April day. We walked the Lower Trail to Marcy pond. No residual snow on the path. My goal was to hear the frogs especially the Wood frogs and their quacking sounds. We also looked for Coltsfoot, the dandelion-like harbinger of spring. No show yet. The heads of a few Skunk cabbages were showing along the Trail. No Wild leeks, No Spring beauties. No frogs. Not a sound of Spring peepers, Chorus frogs, or my favorite the Wood frogs. It is a slow unfolding spring scenario. However, we heard a few birds. A Purple finch serenaded us at the beginning of the trip. Then we heard the call of the Red-bellied woodpecker. Again and again he called from the ridge above us. This woodpecker , the size of a robin with black and white bars - zebra like - on its wings. Better birders than I can spot the red patch on its lower abdomen. The times I’ve focused on that spot it appeared ‘pink’ to me! We heard its ‘chuck’’chuck’ ‘chuck’ descending in pitch then a loud oft repeated ‘churrr.’ I interpreted the calls as “Welcome back to Marcy Woods!” Then we heard the unmistakable giant tapping of the Pileated woodpecker, our largest of all woodpeckers. Once you’ve heard the loud, resonant tappings you won’t forget it. That’s what the remainder of this article is about, the Pileated. We walked up to the cabin across the bridge and back down the Trail to the car. Only an hour! Why? Other times we would stop longer to gaze and appreciate the Creator’s hand.
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Have you seen the handiwork of that giant woodpecker? It loves old beech trees so I’ve discovered. From Algonquin Park to Stigilmeier Park in Depew, New York we have seen the enormous cavities in decaying beech trees. As we walked te paths of Stigilmeier with Rob Eberly, Ridgeway naturalist, we came upon a pile of wood chips to our left. There 12-15 feet high in an old beech tree was a rectangular cavity 3-4 feet long and 6-8 inches wide chipped out by a Pileated woodpecker. Impressive. I took a photo and recorded the happening in my log book.
My old writing mentor, the late Ed Teale, recorded on April 12th many years ago the following: “... this largest woodpecker of the north has littered the ground with wood chips. Eight feet or so above them was a long gash shining out the side of a decaying beech tree. Half a foot deep and three feet long, it reveals where the black, white, and red bird had chiseled into the wood in search of hibernating masses of carpenter ants. Whenever you see such large cavities in old trees suspect a Pileated around. Note: Dress properly - long sleeves and long pants and a mosquito spray that has Deet in it. Follow directions. Keep birding but be protected, eh!