September 8, 2024: Overseer of the Lake

Wednesday evening was a gorgeous moment on the lake.  The sun was warm, the wind was calm, and lots of people were out enjoying a late summer cruise on the lake.  And those with an eye towards the sky were afforded a fabulous look at an apex predator enjoying the moment as much as we were.  

Perched there at the top of the tree, this Bald Eagle was perfectly happy to sit for over an hour, surveying its domain in the late-day sun. 

Several boats stopped on their travels to take in the site - and the eagle paid them no notice.  

I started seeing the occasional Bald Eagle on Lake Wicwas in 2014 and in the past ten years they've become a regular sight on the lake.  It's another success story of saving a species that had been decimated by DDT use.  Even though I see several each year, I'm still spellbound by how impressive they are when I get a good look at one.

There were a few somewhat smaller animals also basking in the warm September sun.  

Autumn Meadowhawk.

This Autumn Meadowhawk (I think) found a nice observation tower in the middle of a field surveying its domain for insects in the area to attack.  It's one of the late-season dragonflies which is how it got it name.  

There are also damselflies still common around the lake, and apparently, still mating.

One of the many species of Bluet damselflies.

Female damselflies deposit their eggs by inserting them into the leaves or stalks of plants, usually underwater, and they can submerge themselves completely while laying eggs.  It's not clear to me what phase of the mating process this pair is in, but the male may stay attached to the female to ensure his offspring aren't affected by another male before she lays her eggs, so maybe they're not quite ready yet.

Another smaller animal enjoying the warm day was this Cabbage Moth.

Unrolling it proboscis to probe deep into the the blossom.

It was taking nectar from purple clover, one of its primary food plants as an adult. 

The caterpillars of this moth are the phase that eats and damages cabbage and related plants.

🦋

A frequent kayaker sent me these pictures of grapes she found growing along the shore of the lake (thanks SD!).

I didn't know we had grapes on the lake.  These are either wild Fox Grapes, or, just as likely considering they are growing on a property that's been used for agriculture for well over a hundred years, Concord grapes.  Concord grapes are a cultivar of the Fox grape that was developed in 1849 by Ephriam Bull in Concord Massachusetts, and the original plant still grows there.  [REF:  The Concord Grape Association]  I went out to see if I could collect a few.  

After eating them I'm still not sure, but based on their palatable taste and location on a homestead property, I'll place my bet on Concord Grapes.

Nice summer weather notwithstanding, there are more and more tinges of color appearing around the lake.

These late summer days sure are nice.