Environment Committee 2009 Summer Solstice Update Islet in Waiting
After taking a week off-island, I returned to Laketrails on Friday, June 12, with Chris and Jake Reber. After a mere nine days many changes were obvious. The days are longer and the nights shorter. The groundcover and lower greenery on the island had thickened. The Dutchman’s britches flowers and leaves were now covered with a light green blanket of jewelweed and dandelions. Some new grass is growing on the bare spots on the paths and roads. Good to see that. Most of the trees are leafing out but the ash trees and especially the bur oak were just beginning to come out of budding, but now, after a couple days of great sun, temps in the 70s, and humid afternoons, even they are leafing out.
I saw a few moths and even one new dragonfly sitting still and slowly moving each wing, one at a time, probably trying to figure out—I suppose—what these things can really do. He must have figured it out because he was gone in a flash. I wonder if dragonflies say to themselves, well I liked being a bug, but these wings are really cool!
I see that a yellow-bellied sapsucker that I have never actually seen is still banging away on our white pine next to the Lodge and leaving its gooey patterned beak marks. Today I did see and hear my first Veery that sings away while it seems to be gargling. All the birds, of course, are still going nuts, racing through the trees at sonic speeds protecting turf, building nests and displaying. Our displaced barn swallows have abandoned the west porch of the Lodge although they still like to sit on the upper windows on the porch. One of the persistent ones however continues trying to build a nest on one of the rafters, but she (he?) has dropped more mud on the deck than has stuck to the rafter. I see them still scooping up mud from the islet’s central drainage area mud so I am wondering where they are relocating their nests. I think it is important to keep them nesting around our islet because they are a species that is slowly declining in population in this country. We want them to feel welcome on our island, but just not over the doors of our kitchen and eating areas. We also want them around because they are a beautifully colored bird with a wonderfully pleasing chatter as they swoop and soar around our buildings. They perhaps are the most acrobatic and swift among the flying critters, and they, besides, they love to chomp on mosquitoes!
So far no deer or bears on the island. Wood ticks are showing up. The mosquitoes are just coming out in hoards. The frogs across on the island marshes are tuning up as they slowly get into a free full-blown orchestra concert each evening. It wasn’t too many years ago that the frogs were silent. What has changed I do not know, but it is great to have them back, and in such good voice.
The lake level is at a high point, just now beginning to creep onto the top of our low dock, and when the wind is up, the waves wash up over the top. Water level at Cyclone is 1,060.1. We like it at 1,059. I wish it would do the same at the canoe dock which is full of Canada goose crap and gull garbage of crayfish claws and more poop. Now that there are a few more of us on the island at least the Canada geese are not mouthing off at us, in fact, we hardly see them on the island now.
As you might have noticed from our website, the lawn got mowed, thanks to Jake and Chris. Wade and I planted a maple tree near the Bernice garden—Larry Schmitz brought one to us. Many plants are flowering now—you may have seen the pin cherry blossoms on the website camera. And we have dandelions, so many that Chris made a dandelion leaf salad the other evening (the secret: get leaves from dandelions that are in the shade; those in the sun get too bitter).
Everything seems to be in place, just waiting for the arrival of the staff and then the campers. And off we go for another season of Laughing, Living, Loving, and Learning.
Jack Conway
