tamarack in autumn

 

The Tamarack tree Larix laricina is a deciduous tree.  In summer it has lush green needle-like leaves; in autumn the leaves turn golden before they drop.  Next to the pond, it gets along with other swamp and wetland species. 

This tree is also a conifer, making small cones that shed winged seeds in the fall.

trees

 
Flowers on Willow tree (above) and new cones on Tamarack tree (left).

eagle nest, March

The eagle nest near the pond has been a quiet site while the birds wait for eggs to hatch. 

We can see a white head of the Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus sitting in the nest.  Since she is hunkered down in the 'bowl' the pair formed among the branches, the eggs (or young, if hatched) cannot be seen from the ground.

leaf veins

I can't resist looking closely at leaves.  Sometimes, I take the interesting ones with me for later study.  This maple tree next to the pond always has some message or lesson for me.  

Today it displayed nice autumn color.  But later I studied the veins that give the maple leaf it's unique shape.  Not only does venation give each leaf it's biomechanical strength to grow and stay on the tree through all kinds of weather all summer long!  Veins also function as transport vessels. 

The leaf is a main component in the plant's hydraulic system to move water and nutrients from the ground throughout the tree. 

The larger veins provide immense leaf structure support, and the various smaller veins provide photosynthetic gas exchange and enable the plant's growth.

tamarack rosettes

There are several trees in the riparian area around the pond.  One is the Tamarack Larix laricina or American Larch.  It is just starting to flower, before sprouting its fresh bright green soft needles. Tamarack is a native deciduous conifer; it is in the pine family but sheds needles (leaves) in Autumn.

reflection in October

 

It was a lovely day, although hot and humid. This pond is part of the stormwater system. The technique uses creeks, ponds, wetlands, lakes, and ditches to manage stormwater run-off. All of the water gathered makes its way to the St. Croix River or infiltrates into the groundwater aquifer.

The huge nest near the pond is still home to the Bald Eagle family.  The young are learning to fly, initially from branch to branch, until they can fly beyond the tree. Then their intensive hunting lessons start.  For now, they may return to the tree overnight.

Young Bald Eagles Haliaeetus leucocephalus do not display white feathers until they are a few years old. Meanwhile, they are mottled brown like this young one hatched this Spring.

early meadow rue

Early Meadow Rue Thalictrum dioicum is also called Quicksilver Weed.  The small flowers will open into fuzzy clusters.  The foliage is a pleasing blue-green color.  This specimen is coming up among other plants hiding beneath the young trees.  Early Meadow Rue often likes moist partly shaded areas, so this one will thrive in the position it has chosen near the pond. 

I believe that plants actually move to where they can optimally survive.  If a seed falls in suitable habitat for the plant to thrive and reproduce, then it does so.  If the seed falls in a less-than-perfect place, then it withers. This way, plants move from generation to generation, even as the climate changes.

shelter

One of the trees in the wild wild woods fell a long time ago.  It has survived in horizontal position, spreading its branches above.  And, it allowed the critters to hollow out a shelter along its sprawl.

maple samara

 

One of the prettiest maple samaras I've seen this year!  

Even though only half of this pair developed, it is lovely in the sunlight.

reflections on a rock

Wandering in the woods, I came upon this rock.  It has been there a long while and I've walked by it before.  But today it looked more interesting with a pool of rainwater in the depression, reflecting the tree trunks above.

A few trees in the woods are doing better since some clearing last summer.  This Black Cherry tree, with more open sunlight, is blooming this Spring. Prunus serotina is native in southern and central Minnesota.  It provides  drooping clusters of small very tart cherries  -- good food for birds!

deciduous conifers

These new cones and needle-like leaves are emerging on our non-native European Larch Larix decidua.  The old cones (at top in the photo) commonly remain on the tree for many years, turning dull grey-black.  From a distance, the new cones look like rosey flowers on the Larch tree.

native deciduous conifers

Needle-like leaves (right) emerging in clusters, and new cones developing on the deciduous conifer American Larch Larix laricina.  The seed cones will become 3/4" long, bright rosey red, and mature to lustrous brown scales containing the seeds.
The needle-leaves grow in dense clusters spirally on branches.  They will glow bright green all summer, then turn golden before dropping in winter.

feet and beak

We heard the shrill whinnying calls of the male Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus as he made his way through the woods, then came to the suet block for breakfast.  He thrust his strong beak into the food, scattering some crumbs to the ground and gulping a few pieces into his gullet.  Once he had a mouthful, he went to a nearby tree where he used the rough bark to hold the suet as he consumed it.  His tongue has a spear-like tip bearing backward-facing barbs that allow him to lick food items from between the folds of tree bark.  Pileated Woodpeckers' favorite food is carpenter ants; also other ants, wood boring beetle larvae, termites, flies, caterpillars, cockroaches, grasshoppers, wild fruits and nuts.
Woodpeckers have zygodactyl feet (two toes facing forward, one facing back) and allows these birds to easily climb and grasp bark, tree branches and other structures.

insulation for insects

A fallen tree in the wild wild woods has become a feeding trough for critters and birds. 
(See "insect picnic" posted on 7-20-15)
Now, after a few more inches of snow, any insects or larvae still nestled in the trough will be cozy with a white blanket to insulate them; later, the birds will surely find nourishing meals there.

snag tree

"Snag" refers to a still-standing dead tree,

or one dying from damage, often missing its top or most of the smaller branches. This old snag has been here in the wild wild woods at least ten years.  It still has bark up one side and several growing branches lean out in that direction every year.  The exposed wood gets softer as time goes by, so it nurtures mushrooms and insects.

 

 The southeast side is bald, revealing its value to the wildlife that live in the woods. In cold weather, birds shelter overnight in the old woodpecker holes.  In nesting season, it becomes home to at least one new clutch of avian eggs.  The woodpeckers and nuthatches find nutritious insects hiding among the crevices. Today, it harbors a nut storehouse and a cozy grass-lined den for some critter.

A pile of peelings from Bitternut Hickory nuts.

Peeled nuts stashed in a hole of the snag.

insect picnic

In the quiet woods, along the path, a fallen log has rotted and curved to become a fine trough.  Insects evidently hatch and grow there, and the birds clean them out every so often.  Today the sound of soft tap-tap-taps led me to see a Pileated Woodpecker enjoying the harvest.

wildflowers in the woods

False Solomon's Seal Maianthemum racemosum grows in the shady wild wild woods.  Earlier this Spring, the rhizomes sent up zig-zag stems with alternate leaves, then blossomed with a cluster of tiny white star-shaped flowers at the end of the stem. 

Now, berries have set and are changing through several shades of waxy brown.  When ripe red, wildlife eat them.