"… to be used for nature study and as a preserve for birds and other wildlife."- Carmen Hambleton Warner
This time of year it’s the most interesting place to be walking. This is because near the water is where there is the most sun and consequently, the most flowers and the most insects, etc. I can always find something new to see in these areas. So this walk is partly from yesterday afternoon and this morning. I found more stuff this morning I think because of the wonderfully cool temperatures. What a relief! Anyway, lets start with yesterday afternoon…
As I walked onto the boardwalk I noticed that the swamp milkweed was still blooming. I gaze intently at the closest plant looking for any signs of monarch caterpillars. (We don’t tend to get caterpillars or adults until August.) Sure enough that familiar pattern of black and yellow jumps out at me. Upon closer inspection, I see that there were two caterpillars, but one of them has succumbed to disease or parasitism or some other calamity. The live one however, is busily munching away.
There are a couple more milkweed plants just a few feet away. Sure enough, I found a third caterpillar. This one is quite small. How did I find such a small caterpillar? I look for his frass (poop) of course! Often that is the best way to find caterpillars. I find it especially helpful when I’m searching for the ever elusive tobacco hornworms on my tomato plants!
Here is the frass…