This magnificent creature is an Io moth (Automeris io) - I found it dead on my couch one morning, not knowing when or how it had got inside. Its furry body looks like it belongs to a long-haired cat! It has false eyes, and an amazing texture up close.
We took these eggs up to Big Lake with us, not realizing they were there on our tires until we stopped and took a break. They look like perfect little pearls up close - they appear to be moth eggs.
They must have hatched or died somewhere along the way because they were nowhere to be seen when we got back home. It's so easy to inadvertently transport things from one area to another.
There was no survey scheduled on our last day because of the forecasted wind gusts, so we took our time packing up and socializing (fresh baked blueberry muffins had been delivered to our cabin for us!) before setting off for home. We met so many warm-hearted, thoughtful people at Big Lake and we were sad to leave this vast wilderness.
It was especially hard saying goodbye to our new plant patrolling protégé - how inspiring it is to see a young person step up so enthusiastically and revel in everything nature has to offer.
We had a great connection, and had tons of fun exploring plants together. We aim to continue adventuring together in the future, especially seeing as we have some plant finds (mysteries) still to resolve that have had us guessing back and forth. This is our current mystery: a bog rosemary with an unusual pink leaved growth, which was decidedly unrosemary-like, and were not its flowers, either. I haven't had any luck yet in discovering what it is (a hemiparasite?) - I hope to update this post with a definitive answer soon ...
Sad as it is to say goodbye, being able to say goodbye means we've made new friendships in new places, so ... it's all good! Adieu, Big Lake, it was now time for me to get to the dentist and have my failed temporary crown replaced so I could eat and drink comfortably again.
Another survey day on which I had the pleasure and privilege of mentoring our newest volunteer, who was as keen as I to explore Big Brook and its bog areas, which always offer incredible diversity. The area was unfortunately too mucky-silty shallow for our snorkeler to accompany us even though he made a valiant attempt to join us.
Our initial experience was dominated by mayfly bodies coating the water's surface, not exoskeletons this time - they'd all enjoyed their last hurrah (mating & egg laying) and were now expendable. Their beautiful winged forms created a fantastic textured surface - quite incredible to see.
We saw so many interesting and beautiful species, all while keeping our eyes out for invasive variable leaf milfoil. We were pleased to find two native leafy milfoils, (Northern and Alternate flowered), but happily no new locations for the bad one. Go Natives! The edge plants added an extra wow factor to our survey - I was particularly enamored with the nodding pitcher plant flowers amidst the greenery.
We had a blast! And, of course, no excursion is complete without an Arrowhead
Back on land, we prepared for the evening's potluck social and presentations with the community, which rounded off the week really nicely.
I gathered my courage to get up and speak to the crowd about getting locals to volunteer on their own lake. Phew! I survived it, and it felt good to share my passion.
