Maine Nature News

June 24, 2008  Vol. 13, No. 24

This Week's Black Fly Report


WE received this certificate of appreciation in today's mail.  A few weeks ago I mentioned FEMA's use of the black fly reports during their flood recovery work.  This is a great surprise and VERY much appreciated.  Thank you to all of the volunteer reporters who send black fly reports.  Our black flies are still the most popular search this week.  I was interviewed by Beth Daley, the environmental writer for the Boston Globe last week. Thanks Beth, for the link to MNN!  Black flies surge in Maine's clean rivers.  

Jack In The Pulpit by Kirk Betts

Saturday, June 21  Mount Vernon (Map 20)
While walking about our yard around 8:30 AM Saturday, I noticed what looked like (from several yards away) some dried oak leaves attached near the base of a plum tree.  A closer look revealed two Polyphemus moths, perched side-by-side, apparently newly emerged from their cocoons and preparing to mate.  The photos show the male - with the broader antennae - on the left.  I did not want to disturb them, but the male did display his wings and eye spots.  I did not attempt to measure his wingspan, but the trunk of the tree to which the moths were clinging was approx. 1 1/4 inches (3 cm) in diameter, so I'd estimate his wingspan at over 5 inches.  Checking back two hours later (at about 10:30 AM) the moths were joined at the abdomen, with the male suspended below.  Curiously, the male was not holding onto the tree or the female, but hung upside down with his legs tucked in by his thorax, suspended in mid-air, supported entirely by the female above.  There was very little wind but the slightest breeze caused the two moths to twist and sway as the female clung to the tree.  It looked rather precarious, but I suppose if one has a wingspan of  that size one can engage in sex without a net.  About three hours later I noticed that the moths had separated, and at about 1:30 PM I saw the female fly off.  The male remained on the same tree until well after dusk, but was gone by the next morning. - JM.



Sunday, June 22   Sandy Stream Pond, Baxter State Park (Map 51)
Moon setting behind Mt. Katahdin
Editor's Column
Robin's Ramblings

Hello!

There's a new question in Q&A.

We spent a great day in Baxter State Park last Sunday.  We were up at 3 am and out the door at 4 am.  At 6 am we were walking out of the woods toward the walkway at Sandy Stream Pond when Steve said, "There's a cow!"  

I didn't see her.  I looked out past the walk, across the water and up and down the shore while also watching my step.  I couldn't see her.  Where?? And then a boulder moved. AHA!  I'd looked at her twice and thought she was a boulder because her head was below the surface of the water.  All I could see was her rounded back.  
cow moose with her head under water
She was closer to Big Rock so we quickly made our way there.  We knew there were photographers down there thanks to the gatekeeper so we were as quiet as possible.  We met two men who'd driven all night to be at Big Rock.  At the end of the day Sunday they'd be on the road home to New Jersey in time to go to work Monday morning.  I had serious camera envy. They had the equipment that makes driving all night to photograph a moose in Maine worth the trip.  And, they had bug spray and offered to share!  The black flies were a 1 for everyone but me.  Judging by the number of bites on my head they liked my hair conditioner. Two more cows came out of the woods while we watched. One didn't stay long and disappeared into the woods when I wasn't looking. The other walked along shore at the end of the pond.  She occasionally looked up to watch or listen to something.  I later learned she was watching two people when I met them on the path as they were leaving.

When the first moose finished her breakfast she walked to shore and away from the pond into the woods. I thought I might be able to find her on the walkway so I grabbed my camera and headed in that direction.  I was almost to the right trail when I heard her walking through the trees.  When I saw her she was 20' away.  When she stopped to watch me watching her she was 15' from me.  It doesn't matter how many times I see them, I'm always in awe.  So large, watchful, cautious. When one of the photographers started using the flash on her cameras she set her ears back and stared at him.  "Can you turn off the flash?  You're annoying her." He did and she relaxed.  When we'd taken all of the photos we wanted we left her there to cross the path in peace.

We traveled through Baxter from north to south. By the end of the day we saw six moose, five cows and a bull.  

We went to Ledge Falls.  It's beautful and wow! does it looks like fun.  It's a natural water slide.  The water was running fast when we were there but I'm told it will slow down considerably by the end of next month.

I have one more thanks to give this week. Jeannie offered help if needed when she sent her black fly report a couple of weeks ago.  She's going to be checking links throughout MNN.  She'll send a list of dead and changed links. Thanks for helping with the housekeeping Jeannie.  I appreciate it!

Kirk sent a photo of a jack in the pulpit in runing water.  I didn't know they grow in running water. I'll be out for a walk later this week to see if there might be some in the seasonal stream in the woods behind the farm.  JM sent an awesome report on polyphemus moths this week.  The photos are great!

It's officially summer!  Enjoy your week!

Robin Follette
Editor/Publisher