The edges of the ponds at the University of Mississippi Field Research Station are teaming with micro dramas that make major impacts on the ecosystem there.
Dragonfly nymphs pierce a pond’s surface and drag their bulk skyward. Encapsulated legs fight gravity (one slow grasp at a time) to seek release from the bondage. Freedom and flight are rewards of that struggle.
Only the hull remains as the fresh form is taken.
Yellow-sided Skimmer — Libellula flavida newly arrived.
A few hours later
A wing flutter away (on another pond reed) danger lurks. All the nymphs take the chance of a deadly encounter like the one in the following photos.
Both players in the scene are second-tier predators ( and at times prey ) using skill and guile to maneuver life’s battles toward survival.
The spider climbs to a chosen place for it’s ambush (before an elaborate trap is set).
Long-jawed Orb Weaver (aka Common Stretch Spider) — Tetragnatha extensa
the spider turns and faces downward
Once a location is selected, the spider elongates to hide it’s girth and enhance it’s chance of capturing prey (ie. climbing nymphs).
More nymphs make adulthood than become a meal. The air was full of a few species active in late Spring and early Summer months. Here are a few of the successful fliers I saw.
female left, male right Slaty Skimmer — Libellula incesta
25 seconds
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Common Whitetail — Plathemis lydia
Blue Dasher — Pachydiplax longipennis
Carolina Saddlebags — Tramea carolina
Blue-fronted Dancer — Argia apicalis
Twelve Spotted Skimmer — Libellula pulchella
female Eastern Ponwdhawk — Erythemis simplicicollis
male Eastern Pondhawk
Eastern Tailed-blue — Cupido comyntas
Halloween Pennant — Celithemis eponina
Familiar Bluet — Enallagma civile
Animals aren’t the only creatures struggling for survival along the water’s edge. Tulip Poplar trees were dropping flowers that contained seeds. The pollinated blooms held the promise of new growth, IF, the nuts found purchase in the soil before becoming food for any creature that love succulent morsels.
I present my Bud of the Day, Liriodendron tulipifera — Tulip Poplar (a member of the Magnolia family).
Fresh flower with seed pod and undeveloped seeds
Another look at the flower structure and lovely colors of the flower pedals.
That is all I have for this report. There are items and happenings near you that I’d like to read about or see the photos of. Please share your latest (or earlier) observations.
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