Wolf Pack

Some periodic musings from my Bass Hollow home
on Rule Rd., Bellville, OH. --Terry Wolf

CRITTER NOTES

EARLY MAY 2006: A depressing, low-pressure area (depression; literally) has been hanging over Lake Michigan for several days now and baptizing our area; albeit with much needed moisture. Of course, the ducks don't mind. Today a lady Hooded Merganser paid a visit and joined the flotilla of woodies and mallards who may or may not, themselves, be engaged in the pursuit of species perpetuation. Time will tell.

All the while a Great Blue Heron stood on the dam with his head tucked deeply between his (her?) shoulders and seemed to ponder, with some disgust, the splashing raindrops and the evident absence of lunch opportunities. His pose was mimicked by a soggy Ruby Throated Hummingbird perched with an identical pose on its shepherd's hook buffet.

Regardless, the dogwood trees are resplendent in their spring-bloom finery while the raindrops sparkle on their blossoms at seasonal peak.

The Canada Geese families seem to have disappeared. The three adults with their clusters of three, then a week later, four chicks, swam more or less together for about a week then have simply--gone. Wherever they went, they walked. Certainly a journey more perilous than enduring Max and I, while we walk around the pond being careful to give the new families lots of space. In fact, only once in recent years have we been treated to the hilarity of watching young geese embark on flying lessons. While I miss their growing-up antics I certainly do not miss having to avoid the plentiful evidence of their presence while walking around the pond.

May 12th brought continuing light rain--as well as an abundance of bird activity so I started to record the species: Rufos-sided Towhee, Indigo Bunting, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Cowbird, White Breasted Nuthatch, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Chipping Sparrow, Red-Winged Blackbird, Goldfinch, Woodduck, Mallard, Red Breasted, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Mourning Dove, Crow, Grackle, Song Sparrow, Chicadee, Titmouse, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and a Robin. That's 25 species in a single day--and could have been many more with other birds I commonly see during this season, Canada Geese, Northern Flickers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Belted Kingfishers, etc; an avian menangerie.

On the 13th Brian and I launched the new Jon boat. It replaces the canoe that lived here many years and will be an enjoyable conveyance once again, now that we are enjoying a successful treatment against the nusiance, aquatic weeds.

May 14th three Canada Geese appeared. Could they be the awol families--minus their chicks? They were acting a bit frisky; a prelude to a renesting effort? We'll see.

During the continuing afternoon rain today, a Great Blue Heron was fishing along the pond bank near the dock and caught--a chipmunk. Over the course of several minutes the bird tossed its prey around, generally fussing with its alignment in its beak. Numerous times it splashed the hapless rodent in the pond. Then swallowed it; a bulge sliding down the bird's elongated neck in lumpy slow motion.

Sometimes there is violence in tranquility.

Moments later the heron caught its second chipmunk in about ten minutes; seeming bent on insuring I had the opportunity to record his hunting prowess. A hummingbird who was witnessing the episode, meanwhile, beat a zippy retreat.

On the flora side of events, the dogwoods reached peak about the end of the first week of May and the Rhododendrons are dressing in their Spring finery at mid-month. Saw a Catbird on the 15th while the black squirrel has been visiting regularly.

On the 22nd I trimmed the scrub willow near the bench on the stone point and while relaxing a bit noticed some commotion in the water. Two Painted turtles were grappling over the carcass of a grackle hatchling which I presume fell from its nesting site in the hickory snag. A first-hand peek at Survival of the fittest. Earlier I saw the season's first House Wren. Speaking of survival, this little critter likely just arrived from his winter range along the Southern tier of US states.

May 23rd I was catching some rays in a chaise lounge and was astounded to see a bat swooping to and fro ambushing bugs in the rays of the afternoon sun. Must'a been this usually-nocturnal critter's version of a midnight snack.

The family gathered over the Memorial Day holiday, and, in spite of the frivolity the critters treated us to some sights: The missing geese families reappeared--enmasse; The polygamous trio showed up with their gaggles of four and three respectively and were joined by another pair with five goslings. About the same time momma Wood Duck put in an appearance with eight new chicks. Just a bit later we noticed a Wild Turkey standing in the pond and enjoying a bit of refreshment.

Terry:

I enjoyed your depiction of a Great Blue Heron fishing for chipmunks. If I remember correctly, there are a lot good fishing spots down your way.

It might be worth making a future "Critter Note" about the fish in your pond. You've got to have some small-mouth bass.

Bill