More trail checking

After loading up the truck with all of the recyclables from the refuge this morning, Bridget and I were off to the recycling plant in Detroit Lakes.  We had quite the truckload of paper, cardboard, plastic, and glass.  You have to drive rather slowly so you don’t lose your cargo along the highway, but it sure beats working inside.  I’ve found a kindred spirit in Bridget.  We both willingly work the VC when we have to, but would sure rather be outside doing something else.  I nearly bust a gut yesterday when she told me she might have to work the VC three days next week.  Her comment about it was, “Just shoot me!”  I like that woman!

Once we finished that chore, we were free to do some more trail checking for downed trees.  We also wanted to find any other places where the pink lady slippers might be blooming so we can tell visitors where to look for them.  We found several other spots, but none quite so good as right along County Road 29.

I decided we should check Teacracker Trail once again since there had been several storms since our last drive along it.  I’ve tried to find out how it got it’s name, but so far nobody can tell me.  We came upon a nice bunch of butterflies dining on what I think was some fresh wolf scat.  (Northern Crescents, White Admirals, and a Mourning Cloak.)

I think that’s a Silvery Checkerspot dining along with two kinds of dung beetles.  Sure wouldn’t be my cup of tea for lunch, but I guess there are needed nutrients there for things with more refined tastes than myself.  Yuck!

We didn’t make it all the way through Teacracker, as another big tree had fallen across the trail.  We’ll all be working on the loon survey next week, and that tree will have to be cut up so surveyors can get through to count the loons.  That meant another half mile back up routine before we could turn around.

We checked a couple of other short trails and refilled pamphlets at several of the kiosks before heading home.  The first False Sunflowers were blooming, and the Northern Crescents were taking advantage of them.

                             When we got back to the compound, a mother killdeer was on high alert.

Seems she had four little ones up and running to protect.  Such knobby knees!  No wings to speak of to fly yet, but isn’t this one just too fluffy and cute?  I took lots of other photos today of dragonflies, but I’ll have to post those another time.  We also saw a bear first thing this morning before heading out, but all I got was a nice picture of grass.    I think maybe Bridget got a picture of its ears.  We just weren’t ready for it…

                                                                               THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy