Henderson feathers Report 8/28/24
Submitted by Art & Barb Straub
A geologist studies earth’s history, materials and processes, especially rocks and minerals; whereas a criminologist specializes in crimes and criminals. We thought then, that someone who knows all about bird feathers would be a featherologist, but discovered that an ornithologist has that capacity under his/her wing. The puzzle came about by the discovery of an incredibly beautiful white feather dropping inexplicitly from the airwaves this past week of August by Bruce Bjork, nature photographer extraordinary from LeSueur who, along with others, contributes to this column. Bruce has an eye for features of the earth that go beyond the scope of most human eyes, and when he discovered an out-of-this-world white feather, he passed a photo along. To whom did the treasure belong, from whom or why was it cast asunder?
Clues might include the gathering of Great White Egrets on the former LeSueur Water Treatment Ponds, having discovered frogs and giant water beetles at the north end of the murky water; or the hundred plus White pelicans riding the wind currents above LeSueur August 25th. Surely it was not that of the many seagulls gracing the parking lots in Mankato…the feather is too delicate, too fragile, too light in texture than those of the screeching garbage collectors. This leaves us with the probability that the white creation was that of a migrating egret. What do you think, ornithologists?
Yes, like it or not, autumn is circling above us like a wandering Canada goose. We’ve had nary a single grackle or starling at the bird feeder for over a month, yet the chubby male hummingbirds have seemingly disappeared, while skinny youngsters and overweight females remain. Number One son reports large gatherings of the aforementioned thieves in the Grand Marais area, and blackbirds of a number of species gave our sweet corn heroes/heroines, the Saase family, fits, as the birds punctured cob ends, making the treasures unfit for human consumption…much to the joy of raccoons.
Speaking of Grand Marais. Autumn 2023 found our sons taking milkweed ‘puffs’ containing seeds back to the far north and planting them near their home. The plants grew this spring, a lone female Monarch butterfly chose to deposit her wee eggs on the plants, and presto…monarch larva emerged in great numbers. In fact, by the time they all reached the caterpillar stage, the milkweeds retained no leaves, just bare green stalks! What a quandary. Son #1 contacted the Cook County U of M Extension Office, which reported that they had lots of milkweed, but few monarch larvae. The contraband was passed to the needy, and fourteen larvae are at the stage of becoming chrysalises. This brought back the realization that the lowly Monarch travels the long distance to Canada to reproduce and grace the world with beauty afore wafting to the mountains in Mexico in late August and early September!
Back at the ranch in LeSueur, tragedy struck our household. While placing garbage in its odiferous bin, our nature article partner discovered a wee Gray’s tree frog just under a crack in the bin lid. The green treasure discovered (on purpose) that insects, smelly feasts within the bin, flew through the bin crack, and were zapped by the wise frog. In order to save the fragile green-bodied amphibian, we created a Garden of Eden ten feet or so away, placing rotted fruit and other tasties near a tray of rain water…all to attract insects. Herbie, the frog, was placed in its retreat, and left to feast. Twenty hours later, we found a squished Herbie crushed under the bin lid. Who, what, why did it return to the bin? Herbie now reposes in a small plastic container, given an identification number and death certificate for the MNDNR, is ready to educate young and old alike! But kind of sad, as too beautiful, too young, a long life of insect extermination and good meals ahead.
Chimney Swift migration is in full progress, but we are alarmed. Having collected data every night since August 1, through sundown, wind, insects, rain and interested spectators, bird numbers are DOWN drastically! For instance: August 26th, 2023, 953. Same date in 2024, 177. August 25th, 2023, 1,212, Same date, 2024, 274. August 24th, 2023, 1,287, Same date, 2024, 244. Get the drift, or the wing??? Not good news, if you are an ornithologist, or a naturalist besides. A criminologist might have to be called in? More news to follow another time. Over and…eyes on the skies!!!
