July 7, 2023
The emperor is in the park
If you have been out to Fort Ridgely walking in the woods in the last few weeks, I'm sure you have seen the smaller tan to brown-colored butterfly in the picture below. It is called the hackberry emperor. There is a subfamily of butterflies called the emperors and it is a member of it. Its host plant is the hackberry tree. It lays its eggs on the tree and the larvae develop there and eat its leaves for food.
Hackberry emperor butterfly. Many are not this dark colored
Hackberry emperor butterfly. Wings closed so you see the underside of the wings. Notice the white end to its antennae.
There have been hundreds of them all over the park. As you walk through the woods there are many of them sunning themselves in places where the sunlight gets through the canopy of tree leaves. They also flit around and are often found in groups. They often land on people and try to get salt from their sweat. According to one source online they feed on tree sap, fermenting fruit, dung, carrion and rarely flower nectar.
This emperor took a ride on my wife's hat
A group of emperors on some kind of poop.
Here maybe is the rare case where an emperor is feeding on the nectar of butterfly milkweed. Aren't the orange flowers beautiful?
I was wondering why this emperor butterfly did not fly away when I saw it next to the door of the pit toilet in the upper picnic area. As I looked closer I found that a spider was having it for lunch. INaturalist identified the spider as a bold jumping spider.
The dragons are here too
The dragonflies are all over the prairie areas of the park, especially in marshy areas. Some I even mistake for butterflies until I take a closer look. They are predators for other insects. I was told once that a dragonfly can eat 100 mosquitos a day. They move very fast so it is hard to get a picture of one until it lands on a branch or stem of a plant. I am not sure if they are taking a rest at these points or if they are using the position to look for more insects to eat. Here are a few that let me get their picture.
Widow skimmer
Twelve-spotted skimmer
Ruby meadowhawk
Plains clubtail
Damselflies are relatives of dragonflies. When they land their wings are above their abdomen not spread wide like dragonflies.
Ebony jewelwing
This damselfly is a member of the genus bluets
Milkweeds in the park
Milkweeds were never my favorite plant growing up on a farm. They were not easy to pull when we walked soybean fields to get rid of as many weeds as possible. As I heard more about how essential they were to the monarch butterfly I started to change my mind about them. We now have them growing all around our house and in a few other flower gardens. It turns out the butterfly lays its eggs only on some type of milkweed. The striped caterpillar that hatches from the monarch egg eats only milkweed. There are many kinds of milkweed and at least 4 of the many types are blooming in the park right now: common, butterfly milkweed, swamp milkweed and whorled milkweed. All of these milkweeds have simolar shaped individual flowers which are different sizes, ways they are grouped together and color depending on the type. Leaves are different shapes on each type.
A group of common milkweed plants in full bloom. Notice the round ball of blossoms that is light pink in color.
Monarch caterpillar on common milkweed
Large groups of orange butterfly milkweed on the prairie near airplane hill
Not only butterflies go to butterfly milkweeds for a snack. This hummingbird was using its long beak to devour some nectar.
Whorled milkweed has white flowers which are less than half the size of the other 3 types of milkweed flowers. Notice the very narrow leaves.
Swamp milkweed. These flowers are about the size of common but are at the top of the plant and point up rather than the whole bunch of flowers hanging down as in the common. If you look at the seed pods of all these milkweeds later in the summer and fall, they have similar pods (vary alot in size) that have fluffy seeds that scatter in the wind.
Fairfax Community Garden
A group of us in Fairfax, closest town to Fort Ridgely, have been able to start a community garden this summer. It took lots of work and red tape to get it started . We have been able to get a $4000 SHIP grant from the county to pay for expenses like a fence, construction of raised beds, a storage shed, hoses for watering, etc. FInal approval did not come until the middle of June so most things were planted late. There is lots of space not taken if any Fairfax residents want to plant some fall produce. Thanks to all committee members for their hard work and donations from them and various businesses in the community! Here are a few pictures I took today.
Our sign at the front entrance. This was designed, cut and painted by GFW High School students from the manufacturing class.
The three raised beds were also constructed by the manufacturing class. All were constructed for the cost of materials. The ground boxes were constructed by Neil Brooks and I from lumber donated by Northland Lumber and Louise Kiecker.
This is the part of the garden I planted. All was done after the ground was worked up and in the background, before the ground boxes, I have planted some native prairie plants.
I transplanted a swamp milkweed from the pond area to the prairie plant area of the garden.
New Area Naturalist - Kelsey Moe
Scott Kudelka was the naturalist for Minneopa, Flandreau and Fort Ridgely State Parks for a number of years. He retired in January. Kelsey Moe is the new naturalist that was hired before the summer and has done a month of programs at the three parks. I was able to go to one of her nature walks last month at Fort Ridgely and was impressed with her energy, personable nature and deep knowledge of the natural world. I hope you can make it to one or more of her programs at Fort Ridgely in July. Here is how she describes each.
A Land on Fire: Wildfires and Prescribed Burns
Saturday July 8, 2023 2-3:00pm
Wildfires have become a hot topic in recent years as they become bigger, hotter, and more common than ever before; however, the reasons why may be shrouded in smoke for many of us. Join a naturalist to learn about the value of fire and how natural resource specialists are using the age-old practice of prescribed burns to maintain safe and healthy environments for us to enjoy.
After the presentation there will be an optional hike to explore the areas of the park where prescribed fire has been used to see first-hand how it changes these landscapes. The hike will last about an hour and include uneven terrain. It is recommended to bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray, if preferred. Sturdy and comfortable shoe wear is also recommended.
Please meet at the Chalet at 2pm to attend this program.
Nature Explorers Hike
Saturday July 15, 2023 3-4:30pm
Discover what natural treasures you may find by going on an adventure around the state park with a naturalist! We'll visit a variety of habitats, including prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and more! Each has its own set of plants, animals, and bugs to find. The trip will last roughly 1.5 hours and will include uneven terrain, so bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray if preferred. It is also recommended to wear sturdy and comfy footwear. This hike is ideal for families with children.
Please meet at the Chalet at 3pm.
Calls of the Night: Campfire Program
Saturday July 15, 2023 7-8:00 pm
Have you ever explored the forest late at night and wondered what hoot, howl, chirp, croak, or bark you hear and what mysterious animal it belongs to? Join a naturalist for a presentation on the animals that live at night and learn about all the calls you hear after the sun goes down in the forests of Minnesota. This program is great for families and children.
Please meet at the Lower Picnic Shelter at 7pm to attend.
More Information
Contact Kelsey Moe at 507-386-3915 or by email at kelsey.m.moe@state.mn.us.
She has programs at Flandreau and Minneopa as well. Go to each state park's website for a list of these events if you want to attend one of them.