July 12, 2020: Hot Summer Evenings

We are into the heat of summer now.  Even before tropical storm Fay arrived yesterday we were experiencing southern humidity levels with dew points into the low 70s.  But the heavy air gave us - in between thunderstorms - a lot of very still and quiet hours, perfect for a peaceful paddle around the lake.  One evening I did a weed-watch tour, and following the shoreline studying aquatic plants was also fruitful in finding plants that are blooming in or near the lake.  One delicate bloom that always pops up in the first week of July is the rose pagonia.  

Rose Pagonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides)

This tiny, delicate member of the orchid family grows in wet habitats and can be found in many protected marshes, fens, and bogs in the Lakes Region.  In Lake Wicwas, look for them in any of the shallow shorelines that are protected from wind and waves; they are often growing among the grasses so the flowers may not be visible until you are quite close.

Another, much larger flower but with almost the same coloring is the Swamp milkweed.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

This particular plant was growing quite far out from shore on its own tiny hummock island.  

Being a milkweed it's not surprising that it has a milky substance in its stalks and is frequented by butterflies.  The monarch in particular likes to lay its eggs on this and other milkweeds.  Here's something interesting about it:  according to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, "The genus [asclepius] was named in honor of Aesculapius, Greek god of medicine, undoubtedly because some species have long been used to treat a variety of ailments."  [Ref:  Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center]

As a bonus, I discovered a new flower on this weed-watch tour, Swamp Candles:

Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris)

I first thought this was whorled loosestrife because it has similar flowers, but they grow out of the stalk in a different way so I looked it up, and found that I was close, as it is in the loosestrife family.  Whereas whorled loosefstrife grows on dry ground, swamp candles grow in, well, swamps.

Almost everywhere along the shoreline you will find pickerel weed blooming.

Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)

But don't be surprised if all the arrow-head shaped leaves have been plucked off - the geese love to eat them.

You might find some birds out on calm evenings too, such as this family of ducks, all in a row.

Or this family dabbling for dinner.

The ducklings are so big now you can hardly tell them from their mother.

And here's one more thing you don't see often in the Lakes Region:  A fresh water shark.

Just kidding - it's got to be a fish, but I don't know which one.  This guy spent a fair amount of time just cruising along the surface, probably finding insects to gulp down.  There's always something new to see on the lake, even in the hazy heat of summer.

And yes, Harold and Betty are doing fine; growing, apparently getting along with each other, and travelling much farther from their nesting site.  So far so good.

This morning at 6:40am.
That bulge on the parents head means it's concerned, so I moved on quickly.