Hustle and Bustle and Noise

Summer has come and gone and now the cool mornings of autumn are here. With the change in season come other changes in nature as well. Squirrels are frantically scurrying around gathering walnuts and acorns and burying them around our yard. Unfortunately, it seems that they are so focused on gathering in the harvest, that on my drive to work I notice they often don't look before crossing the road and I find my heart beating wildly as I do my best to avoid a collision. Thankfully they have been quick and with a flick of their tail, as though to say "that was close", I see the squirrels scamper off in search of more nuts.


Crazy, distracted squirrels are not the only changes I have noticed. Leaves are slowly changing color, though this year many leaves seem to be falling off the trees before even turning colors, which is kind of sad and puzzling. I'm hoping that a couple of weeks and a few cooler nights will change that. Here's a link to the current fall foliage peak areas.

 
Yesterday, I wandered out by the creek and enjoyed the peacefulness. Leaves crunched under my shoes which startled a flock of 5 or 6 cardinals. Two male cardinals stopped for a drink further down the creek and I paused to watch them. Though it was peaceful, the woods were definitely not quiet (if that even makes sense). I could hear leaves rustling in the breeze, acorns falling through the branches and hitting the forest floor with a thump, a woodpecker hammering away at a tree, a squirrel gnawing on a walnut hull, chickadees and other birds twittering as they hopped from branch to branch, and the creek trickling around rocks. How is it that nature can be so calming despite the hustle and bustle and noise? Could it be that true peace is not the absence of noise, but rather the presence of something... the presence of God in our hearts, in His creation...?

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." 

Isaiah 26:3

Complex Engineering

If you spend any amount of time near a body of water, you are sure to see dragonflies. Like tiny helicopters they hover... darting here and there... flipping and twisting... straight up or nose dive... reaching speeds of up to 36 miles per hour (though not all of them are that fast), then stopping in an instant. Their flight is fascinating to watch, if you can keep track of them! Did you know that they can move their four wings independently of each other?

Then they land and you get a brief opportunity to admire the colors and patterns on their wings and bodies. God must love being creative. I found out that there are more than 5,000 known species of dragonflies and damselflies worldwide, with 155 species in Tennessee alone!

Also, did you know that dragonfly eyes take up pretty much their whole head and that each eye is composed of as many as 30,000 "lenses"? They almost have 360 degree vision which means they can see in all directions at the same time! They can also see a wider spectrum of colors than humans, such as being able to see ultraviolet (UV) light. Their multifaceted eyes allow them to be acutely sensitive to movement, which helps them catch other flying insects for diner such as mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and bees.

Here is a brief look at their life cycle.

Dragonfly nymph (the shell that remained after the dragonfly emerged)

A Widow Skimmer

A female Common Whitetail (one of the most frequently seen dragonflies; they are perchers, which means they often rest on logs, rocks, low plant stems, or on the ground, as in this case; They can also tolerate low quality water, so you may see them even around polluted water.)

I have no idea what species this is, but it had just emerged from the nymph stage

Sunning itself on a rock

The stunning complexity with which the dragonfly was designed leaves me a bit humbled and in awe. Truly, "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God..." Revelation 15:3.

Amazing Natural Fireworks

Throughout the last several hundred years we have used fireworks to celebrate special occasions. Today, the 4th of July, as we celebrate Independence Day I would like to share some of nature's incredible fireworks. The Japanese word for fireworks is "hanabi": hana means "flower" and bi means "fire". So here are just a few of nature's hanabi or "flowers of fire."

(environmentalgraffiti.com)

(environmentalgraffiti.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(environmentalgraffiti.com)

(gardenstew.com)

redbubble.com)

(lejardinetdesigns.com)

(myturksandcaicosblog.com)

(photo.net)

(flickr.com)

(freidafroo.wordpress.com)

 

 

We could add pictures of awe-inspiring lightning storms, dazzling shooting stars, stunning firefly displays, radiant sunsets, dancing northern lights, swaying sea anemones... God has created an incredible celebration of color and variety for us to enjoy!

Happy 4th!

Cyanide Gas or Sweet Perfume?

My best guess is it's a Brachoria enodicuma

Hidden beneath the leafy forest floor are hundreds of insects of all shapes and sizes. The pitter patter of hundreds of feet can sometimes be heard on the dry leaves if you pay close attention. However, on this morning it wasn't the scurrying of ants or the bustling of beetles that caught my attention. Feeling its way slowly over obstacles, due to being basically blind, was a black and salmon-colored millipede.

This particular millipede is typically found in the Appalachian mixed deciduous forest and it feeds on decaying leaves and other dead plant matter. When attacked, it secretes a cyanide gas that gives off a kind of an almond-like smell. If you shake this millipede gently in your hands (they don't bite), then sniff it, you will be able to detect the faint almond-like odor. This "gas" is not harmful to humans, though it may irritate the skin of some people, so be sure to wash your hands after handling it. The secretion is, however, bitter and toxic to small animals.

When life "shakes us up," do we exude a toxic atmosphere like this millipede or are we so filled with Christ that as a flower or herb of the field when stepped on, we give off the sweet aroma of heaven?

Spring Gentian

"Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own, - an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected." 

~ Christ's Object Lessons p.339

A Hidden Kingdom

I am in no way a fungi expert, but after walking through my yard and finding a variety of mushrooms (a type of fungus), I decided to spend a few minutes educating myself. The first thing I learned was that all mushrooms are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Mushrooms are part of the kingdom Fungi which also includes yeasts, molds, mildews, rusts, smuts, and toadstools.

 I also learned that a mushroom (the part of the fungus that we see) is only the "fruit" of the organism. The living body of the fungus is made up of tiny threads called hyphae that spread out in all directions beneath the surface. That means that most of the fungus is out of sight, hidden underground or beneath whatever it is growing on (moldy bread, rotting fruit, decomposing log...). Now I understand why I was told to throw out the whole loaf of bread if I found a few pieces with mold on them... I saw the visible part of the mold, not the fungus spreading its tiny threads throughout the rest of the bread. Gross!!

Sarcoscypha occidentalis (Stalked scarlet cup)

 Having said that, there are some benefits to certain fungi in our environment:
- They break down debris and make nutrients more accessible to plant life
- They help decompose organic matter
- They provide numerous drugs (such as penicillin)
- They provide food for humans and animals
- They are essential in making bread rise
- They help in the making of certain types of cheeses, wines, and soy sauce

 And of course, there are some detriments as well:
- They can cause diseases in animals and humans (yes, athlete's foot is a fungus)
- They can damage plants
- They can damage stored grains, fruit and vegetables
- They can be poisonous and kill

most likely of the Lepiota family

Thinking about fungi reminded me of some of the Levitical laws concerning mildews and molds (both of which are types of fungi). The Bible mentions strict regulations about what to do with moldy clothing or mold in a house. The people were to completely destroy that which had been contaminated with persistent mold or mildew (Leviticus 13-14). Knowing now that fungus spreads beneath the surface, I can better understand why merely wiping away the spot or cutting out a small area would not get rid of the mold. Is that not the same way with sin? Sin is like a fungus that can spread beneath the surface and cause much destruction, sickness, and even death.

Cyathus striatus (Bird's nest fungus)

But there is blessed hope: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins and to CLEANSE us from ALL unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). God can help us eradicate the fungus of sin in our lives!

A morel (just before I ate it)

A beaten up mushroom next to... poison ivy

Almost looks like an acorn top :)

PS. if anyone can positively identify any of these mushrooms, I would love to learn the names of each.

Raising a family... the bird way

After coming back from our trip, we began the process of doing laundry and settling back into our normal routine. It didn't take us long to realize though that something was not normal with the drier... it wouldn't dry! We quickly came to the conclusion that maybe something was blocking the vent and so I brought the ladder out, climbed up to the outside vent hole (which had lost its cover) and peered inside. Sure enough, the tubing was packed with a nest.

The nest was at least 1 1/2 feet deep into the tubing, so I had to fashion a hook out of a wire to start the process of dismantling the nest. With the first pull, I caught a huge chunk of grass, twigs, and ... a snakeskin!!! All of a sudden, I thought I heard a squeak from inside the tubing. I stopped what I was doing and called for a flashlight. There, at the end of the beam of light, were 3 or 4 helpless baby birds. So I guess drying laundry in the drier is just going to have to wait.

One of the baby birds sleeping - they are growing so fast!

Over the next few days I had the opportunity to watch the Great Crested Flycatcher parents fly back and forth in a continuous effort to feed the hungry little ones. They were suspicious of anyone around the nest (even though I was actually on the porch) and would fly from one tree to another, peering at me, giving a loud "whee-eep" call, then flying to another tree... just to be sure I wasn't a threat. Both parents brought various insects ranging from flies and caterpillars, to spiders and dragonflies. I'm amazed the babies can open their mouths wide enough for some of those insects. During one period of observation, I calculated that on average every 4-5 minutes one of the parents came with food for the babies. Can you imagine? All day long, the parents go back and forth and back and forth...dedicating their time and energy to raising their babies.

After multiple failed attempts, I finally caught him flying out

They take their time coming, but it only takes a split second to leave

Great Crested Flycatchers are treetop hunters. They do not hop or walk but prefer to fly from place to place, catching a variety of insects, though they do eat small fruit as well (such as our succulent blueberries). They prefer to nest in deep cavities like abandoned woodpecker holes, though in this case, they decided our vent would do just as well. They usually fill the cavity with all kinds of things, then form a nest 'cup' on top and line it with soft materials like hair, feathers, and fur. They are also known to frequently use snakeskins to line the nest, as I discovered. 

Peering around to make sure it's safe to fly to the nest

The crest on his head is up in alarm

Diving off a branch on the final descent to the nest

Bringing a juicy green caterpillar

No, those are not whiskers...

... they are spider legs!!

"God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest." ~ P.D. James

The Stare Down

As I was walking around the yard getting reacquainted with everything after my month of absence, I spotted a chipmunk. It darted under some old, roofing material and disappeared. I decided to sit down about four feet from where he disappeared and wait to see if he would reappear. I didn't have to wait long. Soon a little furry nose poked out and out peeked the chipmunk. His black beady eyes glanced around and immediately he saw me. He froze... I froze... and so began the stare down.

Minutes ticked by... and still the chipmunk remained perfectly motionless. A fly buzzed by, an ant crawled across my hand, my nose itched, I was sure a spider was crawling up my pant leg, but I too remained motionless, determined to out stare him. How long would this go on? Who would break the gaze first? Tufted titmice were bathing in the creek below then flying up to a branch nearby and fluffing out their feathers and preening. A Blue jay screamed from a nearby tree. A Carolina chickadee hopped from branch to branch.... and still we stared at each other.

My foot was starting to go to sleep and it was becoming much harder for me to remain still. And you know how when you are not supposed to move, everything starts itching... well, I felt like I had an itch on my arm, in my hair, on my nose... Though it felt like forever, I think only 10 minutes had passed. Finally, an other Blue jay landed just above the chipmunk and it was almost like the chipmunk was startled out of its daze. It perked up, raised itself up a bit, and let out a sharp whistle. After uttering 4-5 loud whistles, the chipmunk chattered to itself a while longer with what almost sounded like squeaky hiccups. Falling silent once again, the chipmunk stared at me for maybe another minute or two, then decided he had had enough and quietly turned and disappeared.

In those few minutes I learned a little more about what it means to focus. The chipmunk was focused on me despite outward distractions. I attempted to remain focused as well by choosing to ignore noises, birds, itching... Should I not focus on God with as much, if not more, intensity?  How many times do I let outward distractions turn my gaze away from God or disrupt my devotional time? I'm thankful that the stare down was a gentle reminder to me that I have to make a conscious choice to stay focused on God.

Indicator of a Healthy Stream

Yesterday I was moving firewood to a location away from the house to hopefully reduce the number of ants around the house. I wore gloves because you never know what may be living in, under, or around a wood pile. As it turns out, it was a good idea because there were so many spiders! However, removing those logs was like opening a treasure chest. There were so many things to see: snails, slugs, ants, termites, centipedes, worms, lizards, lizard eggs, beetles (big and small), all kinds of spiders, carpenter bees, caterpillars, cocoons... I kept stopping my work to look at things and/or take pictures; it's amazing I got the job done at all :)

Red Salamander

I don't remember how many loads of wood I hauled, but finally I was nearing the end. There were just a few logs left and I started transferring those to the wheelbarrow. As I lifted one of the logs, I saw a shiny reddish tail poking out from the adjacent log and I got all excited. Before even lifting the log, I raced to get my camera. Then, I carefully lifted the log away from the creature hiding beneath. There, at my feet, was a six inch long, stout looking Red Salamander. I had seen one several years ago, but hadn't seen one since, so I was super excited. I snapped a few pictures then decided I should move it to the new wood pile since I was taking away its home and protection. It was surprisingly strong as it tried to wiggle out of my hand, but soon it was exploring its new home.

 

 Red salamanders can be identified by their yellow colored iris, their orangish-red skin and many irregular black spots. They can be found in a variety of habitats, but are most common around sources of water where they will hide under logs, rocks, and moss. Because they are sensitive to water pollution, they are a good indicator of the general health of a stream. They eat all sorts of insects, worms, and even smaller salamanders. Some predators will avoid eating them because their coloring looks similar to the very poisonous red newt.

Pseudotriton ruber

 Explaining to kids the differences between lizards and salamanders:
- Lizards are reptiles; salamanders are amphibians
- Lizards have dry skin with scales; salamanders have moist or slimy skin with no scales
- Lizards have external ear openings; salamanders lack ear openings
- Lizards have claws; salamanders have stumpy toes
- Lizards have eggs with shells which are usually laid in the sand; salamander eggs don't have shells and must be laid in moist environments (some even need to be completely submerged in water)

What's that slithering away?

I was watching tiny minnows swimming against the current in our creek when I was startled by the sound of slithering in the leaves behind me. Turning quickly, I scanned the ground to see what it could be. We do have snakes along the creek and I've been trying to take a picture of the one that resides near a bunch of roots, but somehow, every time I have my camera, he's not there and when I don't have my camera, I'll end up seeing him sunning himself along the bank. So, I was hoping this could be the snake, but it wasn't.

Common Five-lined Skink

What I saw instead was a light brown, shiny lizard, with what appeared to be faint stripes down its back. It scurried along a log and paused for a few seconds to eye me suspiciously. Then, in a flash, he was gone. Thankfully I was able to snap a couple of pictures and my best guess is that it was a Common Five-lined Skink. As youngsters, they have a bright blue tail and very distinct stripes; however, as adults the stripes become much fainter.

These skinks eat mainly insects, such as spiders, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and termites. They prefer to live in moist wooded areas with lots of cover, but also need open areas for basking. In the spring, they breed and the male will often have a bright orange jaw during the breeding season. Then the female will lay 4-14 eggs under rotten logs, rocks, or leaf litter and will stay with the eggs until they hatch, which is usually 1-2 months later.

Skinks are supposedly among some of the fastest reptiles in the world. If you try to catch them, they will almost always bite, but their bite doesn't usually break the skin because their teeth are so small. However, if you catch them by their tails, they have the ability to escape by letting their tails break off. The tail will grow back, though not as beautiful or as strong as the original.

When I think of the swiftness with which the skink darts for safety at the least shadow of an enemy, it reminds me of how we too should flee from the mere shadow of sin. And if our hand should cause us to sin, Matthew 5:30 says "cut it off" (as in be willing to surrender "the attributes which Satan has inspired" and earnestly put away sin), just as the skink lets its tail go.

Return of the Butteflies

One of the things I love about spring time is the return of the butterflies. As a kid I spent a couple of seasons raising Monarch butterflies. Being able to watch the whole growth process was not only educational, but fun and awe inspiring as well. I spent countless hours watching the delicate yellow eggs, which were laid on a milkweed leaf, until they hatched into voracious caterpillars that ate all day long. Then, once the caterpillar had grown, I gazed in curiosity and wonder as it changed into an exquisite light green and gold chrysalis. I could hardly wait until the chrysalis turned black and red, signaling that it would hatch soon. I never got tired of watching the butterfly emerge, fully transformed from a worm-like creature into something so beautiful.

Spring Azure - wing span about 1-1.5 in.

So far this spring, I have seen two different types of butterflies. The very first one I noticed was the Spring Azure. It was fluttering around in the woods near our creek and around our yard. As adults they like the flower nectar of the Dogbane, blackberry, New Jersey tea, and common milkweed. They lay their eggs on flower buds and the caterpillars will eat the flowers and fruit as they grow. Interestingly, these caterpillars supply ants with a sweet sugary substance known as honeydew, from their abdomens, and in return, the ants protect them from possible predators.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - wing span about 3.5-5in.

The second butterfly I noticed was the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Now at first, I thought I was seeing two different kinds because one was yellow and the other black. But, as it turns out, the black one was a female and the yellow one could be female or male, but still of the same species. The females usually have more blue on their wings. One of them was fluttering around drinking nectar from flowers on the Silverberry bush. After mating, they will lay their eggs on Yellow Poplar, Tulip tree, Black Willow, Black Cherry, Red Maple, American Elm, and Sassafras (to name a few). When the caterpillars first hatch, they look a lot like bird poop, which helps camouflage them, however, as they grow, they turn green and have bright, fake eyespots on their head. Just before they transition into their chrysalis stage, the caterpillar will turn brown.

Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The process of transformation that the butterfly goes through is called metamorphosis. Did you know that the Bible also talks about metamorphosis? In Romans 12:1, 2 it says, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (the Greek says metamorphose) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Just as the butterfly changes completely from a caterpillar to a beautiful flying insect, so we are to be changed by the complete transformation of our minds. And again, it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that when God returns, we will all be changed (go through metamorphosis) into His likeness. Definitely some things to think about.