The Marsh Project Week #20

This past weekend was the annual iNaturalist City Nature Challenge, during which 64 cities from across the world competed in a friendly but fierce competition to find out which city could get the most observations and species observed in a four-day period.  Some people eagerly anticipate the Super Bowl, the World Series or March Madness; the Mom of No takes the City Nature Challenge seriously.  Fortunately, the weekend turned out to be sunny and warm: optimal conditions for getting outside with the camera, the hiking boots, and a large bottle of water and viewing some wildlife.

During the four day Nature Challenge, I logged over 16 miles walked and 81 observations with 57 species logged.  Not too bad, considering that I sometimes become absorbed into watching a bird even after I'd gotten photographic evidence of it and should have moved on (one of the goals being greatest number of observations, quantity is important),  or got sidetracked into looking for something that I heard might be in a certain place, and since I'm out here already, hey, why not go looking for it?  You never know what Nature will send your way- especially when the day is waning, the battery on the camera is almost dead, the water bottle is nearly empty, and the feet are weary.

It's clear on the trails that we are now well into spring; the butterflies and dragonflies are out and the summer birds are here. A day or so before the Nature Challenge started I'd heard a rumor that the painted buntings had arrived, and on Sunday, as I walked towards one of my favorite birding spots, a painted bunting flew out of the trees and landed on a rock right in front of me.  Yes! The bird never stood still long enough for me to get that perfect shot, but I had my first documented painted bunting observation for the season.

Sometimes you almost walk right by the critters and almost miss seeing them.  It happens to me often enough that I wonder what I'm missing even when I'm looking closely. On Friday night, I almost walked by a diamondback water snake that had wound itself up in some reeds.  Once I saw it, it was obvious- but I almost didn't see it.

Sometimes you go looking for things, and you don't find them.  On day two, I had seen a bittern fly up from some reeds, and the next day I returned to the area hoping for some luck.  I knew my chances were slim; they're secretive birds, skilled at hiding.  I could hear it (or at least I thought I heard it), but I couldn't see it.  Finally, it was time to go- I was almost out of water, and I had things to do elsewhere, but I left reluctantly.

I live in a suburban area near a very large city, and although I've been nature-nerding for a few years, I still find myself in awe over the number of species that I find in one relatively small area of undeveloped green space.  Every so often, I start thinking that maybe I've found almost everything that there is to find, and then the next week I find something new, or I see some behavior that I haven't seen before,  and I realize all over again that I will probably never see it all.  Then I ponder the thought that the diversity of what I am personally seeing is a miniscule part of what exists on Earth, and I realize all over again what an astonishing planet I find myself living on.

The Marsh Project Week #19

The weather forecast for the weekend had not been promising, so I was happy when the torrential rain that we were expecting mostly passed us by, except for the rain that poured down at the same time The Teenager was scheduled to get her hair done for prom (fortunately, the rain tapered off before she was due to leave for the festivities).  As a result, I was able to get my hiking in which was a good thing because I needed it.

For multiple reasons, it's been a stressful and hectic few weeks, and with graduation right around the corner, it won't be any less busy for several more weeks. I'm glad that I have my nearby nature to help relieve the stress and to give me a chance to breathe.  The spring and summer wildlife continues to show up, despite some still cool days and nights, and every day brings something new to the trails.

I am still not seeing as many dragonflies as I  had expected, but every day I see more variety.  Same for butterflies; a viceroy has apparently staked out some territory near one bend of the trail, and I've seen it there a few times, fluttering around and resting on leaves. Or perhaps there's two viceroys who have claimed that section of real estate; I'm not able to tell if there's a difference, but I'm glad to see it/them.  The red admirals continue to be plentiful, and once or twice I've seen an Eastern tiger swallowtail fly by.

The ducks are mostly gone, except for some American coots, the ever-present mallards, and the skittish blue-winged teal. It's been a few weeks since I've seen a gadwall or a common goldeneye.  They've been supplanted by the birds of summer: little blue herons, the scissor-tailed flycatchers, the blue grosbeaks, and a rumor that the painted buntings will be here soon if they aren't already. Today, I saw a belted kingfisher (a year-round resident) with a fish in its beak.  Along the river, a spotted sandpiper has found a bit of shoreline that suits it; he (or she: I'm unsure of gender) has been there several times this week.

I'm starting to see more snakes, which makes me really happy; I know not everyone is a fan of the snake but I get a definite thrill every time I spot one curled up or stretched out on a log, sunning and minding its own business.  One evening last week I saw a broad-banded water snake swimming through the pond on its way to attend to some snake business.

I know I'm not the only one dealing with stress and a hectic schedule at the moment; a walk in the woods usually is not the solution to the problem, but even a brief time in nature, breathing deeply, walking, and really looking at nature can be a respite in a crazy world.

Seen this week: Broad-banded water snake, plain-bellied water snake, American bullfrog, sora (bird), Eastern pondhawk dragonfly, common whitetail dragonfly, plains clubtail dragonfly, blue dasher dragonfly, band-winged dragonlet, blue corporal dragonfly, several damselflies, armadillos rooting around after a rainstorm, ladder-backed woodpecker,  greater yellowlegs, spotted sandpiper, Eastern tiger swallowtail, viceroy, monarch, gray hairstreak, numerous sparrows, Swainson's hawk, both Eastern and Western kingbirds, scissor-tailed flycatchers galore, little blue herons, and more.

The Marsh Project Week #18

The weather this month has been kind of strange so far; several days have been cooler than normal and a few days have been very windy.  It has to be really cold and windy to deter the intrepid Mom of Go Outside No Matter What, but yesterday came close.  Even I, the crazy nature lady, was walking down the trail, wondering to myself just why I was out there.

Actually, I know why I was out there- it was the same reason I'm always out there, besides the fact that I need the exercise and that after a long day of work it feels good to get outside and move.  I'm on the prowl for something new and different, or something that makes you think, wow, that's strange, or interesting, or fascinating.  Some days I do find a new addition to the bird life list, or something unusual for the area; on very rare occasions I've found out of range butterflies or unusual dragonflies.  I get excited about that.

Other days (most days), my observations are of the common critters that hang out at the nature preserve all the time: the Canada goose, the common whitetail dragonfly, the great blue herons and great egrets, the mallards, the red admiral butterfly.  Unless they're doing something unusual, it's tempting just to pass them by without a second glance or a photo for documentation.  Just how many mallard observations does one person need, anyway?

When I look at some of these creatures up close, however, I am reminded that even the common things are beautiful.  The metallic coloration of a variegated meadowhawk glinting in the sunlight is stunning, as is the pattern on the body of a female common whitetail.

Sometimes, if you wait a few minutes, these every day critters will do something you haven't seen before, like this great blue heron stretching its neck out. I happened to be walking by as it was perched on a nearby tree.  I hadn't even planned on taking a photo, since I have so many great blue heron pictures, and then it started to move its neck to bend down on the tree branch.

In April of last year, I found common buckeye butterflies everywhere.  I couldn't get down the trail without seeing several.  This year, I haven't seen any.  I don't know if it's because of the flooding, or the weather, or if they are on another trail, or if there is another reason .  Last year, I stopped taking photos of them because there were so many.  This year, I miss seeing them- the patterns and colors on their wings are beautiful.  Perhaps that's the danger of not documenting the common things; we won't know they're gone missing if they do disappear.

Seen on the trail: Common whitetails, red admirals, belted kingfisher, green tree frog, Blanchard's cricket frog, broad-banded watersnake, plain-bellied watersnake, blue corporal dragonfly, variegated meadowhawk dragonfly, little wood satyr butterfly, snowy egret, great blue heron, Carolina wren, swamp sparrow, scissor-tailed flycatcher, osprey (with fish), little blue heron, yellow-crowned night heron, greater yellowlegs, plains clubtail dragonfly, monarch butterfly, broadhead skink, blue dasher dragonfly, armadillos galore, and a coyote.

The Marsh Project Week #17

The greening of the trail continues.  While I'm still not seeing a large variety of dragonflies and butterflies, I'm seeing a few- red admiral butterflies, common whitetail dragonflies, common green darners.  In a few weeks I anticipate that the common whitetails will be everywhere, and I'll start walking by them without taking a photo,  but for now, they're still new.  Everything is fresh and green - even the bane of my existence, poison ivy.  Small wildflowers are emerging, and new plants are popping up amidst the dead vegetation from last year.  

Even more exciting for me, the little blue herons are definitely here.  In the past couple of weeks, since the trail emerged from flooding, I've seen several.  I'm thrilled about this.  I've seen as many as five perched together on a single tree.  

I love little blue herons. They are much smaller than the great blue herons, another favorite bird of mine, and unlike the great blues, they are not here year-round.  Great blue herons have a fascinating personality and they stand still, making them easy to photograph.  Little blues have a lovely blue/purple color that I find stunning.  Juvenile little blue herons are actually white, which threw me off at first; I had a few mis-identifications before I caught on.  The adults, however, are quite distinctive. They often perch on the tops of dead trees, making them easy to see.  Last year, I walked right up on one eating a crawfish.  It would have been a fantastic photo, except that the picture came out blurry and too dark.  Perhaps this year I'll have better luck. 

The red admiral butterflies are out in force, too.  I've seen a few other butterflies- pearl crescents, an Eastern tiger swallowtail, a black swallowtail, a few faded question marks, and two monarchs.  The turtles are out sunning; as I walk toward the blind it seems that almost every log has at least two turtles on it.  

A slightly tattered and faded question mark butterfly. 

The mosquitoes have also returned.  I'm not too excited about that.  Unfortunately for me, I hit the trail without the bug spray.  It's time to start thinking about bug spray and sunscreen; I'm also starting to acquire raccoon eyes from my sunglasses and a slight tan on my arms and neck.  

I know that in a few months, summer will arrive, along with the heat  (and hopefully, some painted buntings!).  School has about nine weeks to go, and the graduation excitement is about to pick up in a big way.  I've got to start thinking about sending out the graduation announcements and getting the Teenager to her college orientation.  For now, however, I am going to walk quietly along the trail, breathing in the mild spring air, while watching a pair of red admiral butterflies settle on a branch, fluttering their wings. 

Seen on the trail:  Red-eared sliders, belted kingfisher (female), red admiral butterflies, question mark, Eastern tiger swallowtail, pearl crescent butterfly, northern cardinals, ladder-back woodpecker, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, song sparrow, Carolina wren, scissor-tailed flycatcher, common whitetail dragonfly, common green darner, variegated meadowhawk, snowy egret, great egret, great blue heron, one American white pelican flying overhead, and a cottonmouth snake. 

Autism Awareness Month

Here it is, for the third year: my annual autism awareness month blog post.

This will probably be regarded as heresy to many in the autism community, but there are days that go by when I don't think about autism. This wasn't always the case; in the years right after diagnosis, I thought about it all the time.  Now, the fact that I'm the parent of a teen on the spectrum is simply part of the mosaic of my life.  Some days I'm preoccupied with work issues, some days I'm hyper-focused on the Teenager graduating from high school, some days I'm prioritizing adulting issues like getting the income tax paperwork organized or getting bids on exterior residential painting.

Autism is unique in the sense that it's a different experience for everyone, so you can't take one person's experience and make that representative of everyone. For example, I've lost count of the number of times people have asked me if the Son of Never Stops Eating talks, because they "know someone who has a kid with autism and he doesn't speak".

Oh, yeah, he talks.  Does he ever.  At the age of three, he didn't talk, except for a few words- and then after a few years of speech therapy, the time came when I found myself pulling off the interstate during a road trip to tell both offspring that they were bickering too much and that we were going to play a fun game called the "Quiet Contest" in which we would see who could be quiet the longest.

I've also lost track of how many times I've been asked about the following: vaccinations, Jenny McCarthy, Andrew Wakefield, essential oil therapy, chelation, trying herbal supplements, whether or not I think autism and gut issues are related, my thoughts on the organization Autism Speaks, the movie "Rain Man", what my son's "special ability" is (memorizing every episode of The Simpsons, apparently), if I take a lawyer to my son's ARD meetings, what I think about private school vouchers, and if I know that God gave me a special child because I'm a special mother (and its corollary: I'm not to worry because God will provide).  Sometimes when I answer these questions, it's followed up with "but I have a friend with an autistic child and she says something different". Yes, she probably does.  See a few paragraphs above.

Now that he's in high school, and obviously growing up (6'3 and still going) people are asking me what he'll do as an adult.  Where will he live, what kind of work will he do, how much adulting do I think he'll be able to manage on his own.   I'm still not entirely sure of the answers.  Quite a bit of it depends on him.  His dream arrangement at the moment seems to be an apartment in which he has his own Lego creations studio, his housekeeping is magically done by his parents, and he owns a hamster store. Well, when I was his age I wanted to marry Simon LeBon of Duran Duran and be a lead singer in a famous band (despite the irrefutable fact that I cannot actually sing), so who am I to judge?

Quite a bit of it also depends on external resources, which are thin and stretched.  Many months ago, several people sent me a link to an "adults with autism private pay development" being built near us.  It had every feature of luxury living you could possibly imagine and had the low monthly cost of $4500. I am definitely not the Mom of Endless Financial Resources At My Disposal, so this will not be happening.

I roll my eyes when I hear politicians talk about "family values" or being "pro-life".  We've sat on state services waiting lists since 2009, just like thousands of other families.  The process of ensuring that your special needs loved one will have his or her needs met as long as they live is complicated, frustrating, and fraught with peril (and lots of paperwork).  One mistake, and your cause is lost.  If people wanted to do one thing to help my son, it would be this: vote for candidates who legitimately care about disability issues.  Whether or not autism itself is a disability can be a controversial subject, but the issues of employment, transportation, access to safe and affordable housing, the ability to participate in community life, and medical care are practical matters that will be important to my son as he enters early adulthood.

As he gets older, I see my parenting role shifting for him, just like it is for the Teenager.  When he was younger and I was new to the diagnosis, I wanted to "fix" it.  Then I moved into acceptance.  Now, my job is to help him become his own best advocate for what he needs and to ensure he has the practical skills for where he wants to go with his life, which includes laundry because his parents are definitely NOT doing that forever.

Yesterday, I asked the Son of Never Stops Eating if he thought he could manage having a debit card.  I explained what it was, and that he'd have to be careful not to lose it and that if you tried to buy something that you didn't have money for, the purchase would be declined.

So if I only have $20 and I try to buy the Simpsons Lego set for $200 the store will say no? he asked me.

You got it, I told him.  He thought about it for a minute and then said yes, I think I can do it.

I think he can, too.