Favorite Photos of 2015

For each of the past two years I have shared my favorite photos from the year.  Here is the 2015 edition.  Enjoy.


Most of the photos that I take fall in one of two categories.  I am either trying to take a "pretty" picture or I am trying to document something (and don't care if the photo is "pretty").  A smaller portion of my photos fall into a third category - abstract.  These pictures show unique details or patterns (rock, bark, leaves, etc.).  This first image was taken on January 14th and shows broken shards of ice, refrozen into a new pattern, crossed over by animal tracks.  Is it "pretty"?  Maybe, but it's definitely unique.

I love photographing clouds and "bad" weather.  Dark clouds add so much drama to a landscape and their brooding nature can take a hum-drum image and make it something special.  This photo was taken at the Forest Hill Nature Area on March 26th.

First Monarch Caterpillars of 2015

Earlier today I wandered into the field behind the office with the intent to take photos of bumble bees. Despite the cool weather, the bees were definitely active.  In fact they were almost too active and I didn't get any photographs that I was happy with.  After a few minutes I decided to look for a different photography subject.  I started taking pictures of Common Milkweed (Asclepia syriaca) plants.  I really liked the contrast between the fresh green leaves and last year's empty seedpods.

Common Milkweed - fresh leaves and old seedpods

I liked this subject so much that I started wandering around looking for the perfect angle.  That's when I found this.

Monarch caterpillar on Common Milkweed

 
My first Monarch (Danaus plexippus) caterpillar of 2015.  It was happily munching away on a Common Milkweed flower.  This caterpillar was in its fifth instar - that means it has moulted or shed its exoskeleton four times.  It won't be long before it forms a chrysalis and becomes an adult butterfly.

Fifth instar Monarch caterpillar eating a Common Milkweed flower (cropped image)

After taking a bunch of photos of this caterpillar I turned to walk back into the office and spied a second fifth instar caterpillar resting on a milkweed leaf tucked down in the grass.  I imagine that if I had done more searching I could probably find more caterpillars in the field.

My second Monarch caterpillar of 2015

2015 Isabella County Environmental Education Day

Last Friday the Isabella Conservation District hosted our annual Environmental Education Day.  This was the sixth year that we have put on this event.  We offer this event to every Third Grade classroom in Isabella County - this year we had twenty-nine classroom attend.  The planning for this event takes several months and the few days prior to the even are full of last-minute preparations.  This is why I only published two posts last week.

We couldn't host this event without the participation of dozens of volunteers.  Starting about six months before the Environmental Education Day I start contacting groups that have presented in previous years.  I try to end up with about 20 different activities for the students.  Most of the organizations/individuals that volunteer their time have been supporting this event since year one.

On Wednesday and Thursday I spent hours getting things ready for Friday.  On Friday, I arrived at Chipp-A-Waters Park before 7:00AM to open the gates, set up canopies, set up our (Isabella Conservation District) activities, and direct people to their locations as they arrive.  The two hours before the students arrive are my busiest, most stressful, hours of the year.  Once everyone has set up and the students arrive I am able to relax considerably.

Here are a few photographs from Friday.  Despite rainy weather throughout the day, everything went according to plans and the students had a great time learning new things.

What's Blooming - Friday 24 APR 2015

On Friday (24 APR 2015), I was able to get away for a short time to check on what's blooming in the woods.  I am not doing a "Wildflower Big Year" like I did last year, but I still plan to keep track of what I find.  After completing two programs on Michigan Trees at Ganiard Elementary, I stopped at Chipp-A-Waters Park to look for spring ephemeral wildflowers.  The word ephemeral means "lasting for a very short time" - this is a very good description of these flower species.  They emerge from the forest floor, grow leaves, flower, and produce seeds all before the overhead canopy fills up with leaves.  Then they die back to their roots and wait to repeat the cycle one year later.

Here are the spring ephemeral wildflowers that I found on Friday.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - Lots of plants, but the bloom is almost done

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) - just starting to bloom last week, should be full this week

Firsts of the Year

On Monday (30 MAR) I found both my first butterfly and my first snake of the year.  Last year I also found both my first butterfly and first snake of the year on the same day, but last year I did not find them until 10 April - twelve days later in the year.

Last year's first butterfly was a Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa).  The Mourning Cloak overwinters as an adult and is typically the first butterfly I find each year. I was hoping to find a Mourning Cloak on my walk at Forest Hill.

Instead I found an Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma).  Actually I found two of them.  Both of these butterflies were very skittish and I was unable to approach close.  Like the Mourning Cloak, the Eastern Comma overwinters as an adult.

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) - found in the North Woods at Forest Hill Nature Area

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) - found in the South Woods at Forest Hill Nature Area

My first snake of the year for 2014 was a Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).  It was no real surprise that my first snake of 2015 was also a Common Garter Snake.  This snake did not stick around for more than a single photograph.

2015 Isabella Conservation District Spring Tree Order - UPDATE

The Isabella Conservation District is no longer accepting orders for our 2015 Spring Tree Sale.

We will have a send out orders forms for our fall tree sale in a few months.  If you do not currently receive our newsletter and would like to please call the District office at (989) 772-9152 ext 3.  Our office is typically open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.   The fall sale is limited to only conifer trees.

Upcoming Event - Winter Wildlife Walk (Saturday 21 FEB 2015)

On Saturday 21 FEB 2015, I will be leading a walk at Deerfield Nature Park.

This walk is scheduled to begin at 9:00AM and is open to the public.  The main focus of this walk will be on animal tracks and other sign.  People are asked to pre-register for this walk because space is limited.  Admission to the park is free for this walk. 

Deerfield Nature Park is located at 2425 W. Remus Road (M-20) west of Mt. Pleasant.  This walk will start at the Fussman Pavilion. 

First Snows of 2015

Happy 2015!

After a very mild December, the new year has started off with some wintry weather.  Snow on Saturday morning followed by rain during the day and night and more snow on Sunday morning.

Here are a few photographs of the Pine River in Alma from yesterday (04 JAN 2015) morning.

Waterfowl appreciate that the river remains open.

Soft spongy ice has formed outside the main channel of the river.

Pedestrian bridge over the Pine River

The river isn't in this photo - it's immediately behind the trees to the right

Finally, my favorite photo of the day...

Canada Geese coming in to land on the river.

Tomorrow, look for an article on whether animals in Mid-Michigan survive the Winter better if there is no snow or lots of snow.