Mourning cloak butterfly
| Spring was here early. Then it wasn’t. Then it appeared again, maybe. March’s propensity for lion and lamb-like weather rang true. Friday, March 20, marked the first astronomical day of spring. Meteorological spring began March 1. Earlier this month it sure did feel like spring. Temperatures around the region were reported in the 60s and 70s for March 6-10. However, some discrepancies appeared in the weather stats provided by the National Weather Service’s station at the Venango Regional Airport. |  Snowflakes |
For March 8-10, Franklin was reported as having a high of 77 degrees, according to the data. Other data was missing. The data was missing for March 8 for Clarion, but the highs were reported as 77 degrees on March 9 and 66 degrees on March 10.
In comparison, Pittsburgh’s data was 71,78 and 62 degrees for March 6-8. Pittsburgh’s high for March 9-10 was reported as 70, according to weather service data. Nonetheless, it was warm those days.
In comparison, Pittsburgh’s data was 71,78 and 62 degrees for March 6-8. Pittsburgh’s high for March 9-10 was reported as 70, according to weather service data. Nonetheless, it was warm those days.
 Crocus  Crocuses  Mini daffodils  Crocuses  Orange jelly mushroom  Eastern comma | Then it happened. The snow returned. It started the evening of March 15 and continued until the next day. A photo on the trail camera seemingly captured a deer’s disgruntled attitude at the weather change. Milo, the goat, wasn’t really happy with the cold either. On some of the colder days, he took the shortcut home to the warmth of his shed. The white stuff stuck around for a couple of days and then by March 19 it was gone again. Earlier in the month, the warmer temperatures helped prompt some early spring flowers to make their way out of the ground. Most of my crocuses opened to the sun during that time in early March. They finished blooming on the first day of spring except for a few stragglers. Facebook memories showed me that this year the spring flowers were way ahead of March 2015. In 2015, snowdrop flowers and snowflake flowers only began to peek out of the ground by mid-March. This year the little white blooms were all but done by March 22. A look back at weather stats for 2015 revealed that year was colder than this year. The highest high was 59 degrees with most of the month in the 30-to-40-degree range. This year, I was surprised to see some tiny yellow flowers up with the crocuses. I had forgotten all about planting them. Then I realized that last year, I had purchased some mini daffodils to adorn the porch during Easter. After they were done blooming, I placed them outside. I recalled that I also had some hyacinths and tulips. I will have to wait and see a few weeks to see where I planted them last year. In addition to the mini-daffodils, I’m still waiting on the regular-sized daffodils. By the first day of spring, a few buds on the bright yellow flowers had formed. The tulip leaves emerged, but it is usually May until I see their colorful blooms. In the woods, the only plants that were blooming were the skunk cabbages. There were buds on the trailing arbutus, I won’t see those until April.While there was a deficit of flowers, an orange jelly mushroom brought some color to the forest in late March. |
The mushroom, scientifically known as Dacrymyces chrysospermus, is a gelatinous fungus that typically grows on decaying conifer wood and is known for its bright orange color, according to internet reports.
“The orange jelly mushroom appears to ooze from cacks and hollows in old conifer wood logs and stumps. It’s one of our most common species and it grows from spring all the way into early winter,” wrote author Bill Russell in his book the “Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic.”
Russell mentioned that the mushroom is edible. Other reports indicated that some use it for home remedies or tinctures.
Mourning cloak in the goat pen
Adding to the color of the mushroom were some butterflies.
About half-a-dozen were sighted during the warmer weather on March 10. I thought they would reappear the next day, but windy conditions most likely hampered their ability to take flight.
There were at least five or so mourning cloak butterflies flitting around. They were cooperative about letting me capture some photos.
About half-a-dozen were sighted during the warmer weather on March 10. I thought they would reappear the next day, but windy conditions most likely hampered their ability to take flight.
There were at least five or so mourning cloak butterflies flitting around. They were cooperative about letting me capture some photos.
Mourning cloak
“This fascinating species is often considered a harbinger of spring due to its early appearance in the season. In fact, some mourning cloaks have been observed to live up to a year, making them one of the longest-lived butterfly species in North America,” said a post on What’s That Bug?.
As mentioned, there weren’t a lot of flowers and plants to feed on. This wouldn’t affect the mourning cloaks.
“Adult mourning cloaks nectar on tree sap, rotting fruit, or even carrion rather than flowers,” the post continued.
“One fascinating aspect of the mourning cloak butterfly is its overwintering behavior. Instead of migrating to warmer areas or dying off, they overwinter as adults, hiding under tree bark or in crevices. This enables them to be among the first butterflies seen in spring,” the post said.
I spotted an eastern comma butterfly as well. It was not very cooperative. When processing the photos to crop out the background, I had difficulty finding the photo subject.
“Adult mourning cloaks nectar on tree sap, rotting fruit, or even carrion rather than flowers,” the post continued.
“One fascinating aspect of the mourning cloak butterfly is its overwintering behavior. Instead of migrating to warmer areas or dying off, they overwinter as adults, hiding under tree bark or in crevices. This enables them to be among the first butterflies seen in spring,” the post said.
I spotted an eastern comma butterfly as well. It was not very cooperative. When processing the photos to crop out the background, I had difficulty finding the photo subject.
Wood frog
However, as the warmth faded and the snow came, the butterflies went back into hiding. They reappeared on March 21 for a sunny day with temperature in the mid-50s.
During the warmup earlier in March, spring peepers were heard making their music during the evenings. During the cold spell, the frogs went silent only to sing again around the first day of spring.
During the warmup earlier in March, spring peepers were heard making their music during the evenings. During the cold spell, the frogs went silent only to sing again around the first day of spring.
Wood frog eggs
There was some wood frog activity as well. They could be heard croaking in the pond and vernal pools on warmer days. However, efforts to get good photos of them failed. I captured the results of their actions, or rather eggs, in a vernal pool.
Spotted salamander eggs with some mosquito larvae
There were spotted salamander eggs in the pool, too.
“The spotted salamander usually lives in mature forests with ponds or ephemeral vernal pools for breeding sites. Vernal pools are suitable breeding sites … as they dry often enough to exclude fish that eat the salamander eggs and larvae, while retaining water long enough to allow amphibian larvae to complete development and metamorphose into terrestrial adults,” said a post on Wikipedia.
“The spotted salamander usually lives in mature forests with ponds or ephemeral vernal pools for breeding sites. Vernal pools are suitable breeding sites … as they dry often enough to exclude fish that eat the salamander eggs and larvae, while retaining water long enough to allow amphibian larvae to complete development and metamorphose into terrestrial adults,” said a post on Wikipedia.
Spotted salamander larva and insect larva
“As larvae, they are usually light brown or greenish yellow. … In two to four months, the larvae lose their gills and become juvenile salamanders that leave the water. Spotted salamanders have been known to live up to 32 years and normally return to the same vernal pool every year,” the post continued.
As adults they are dark brown in color with distinctive yellow or orange spots. They reportedly have a symbiotic relationship with a type of algae.
I have never seen an adult spotted salamander. I did “catch” and release a larva from the pool last year for a photo.
As adults they are dark brown in color with distinctive yellow or orange spots. They reportedly have a symbiotic relationship with a type of algae.
I have never seen an adult spotted salamander. I did “catch” and release a larva from the pool last year for a photo.
Female and male mallard ducks
While searching for some wood frogs at the neighbor’s pond, I spooked some wood ducks. The brightly colored ducks disappear whenever we even come into view.
The mallard couple made one of their yearly stops at the pond during the cold spell. They, too, left as the dogs and I arrived.
The mallard couple made one of their yearly stops at the pond during the cold spell. They, too, left as the dogs and I arrived.
Canada geese
Me, Clem, Jeb and Gus with the geese in the background
A pair of Canada geese made and appearance at the pond before the mid-March snow. They fled the scene when Jeb got too close for comfort. A trail camera photo appeared to depict me telling the dogs not to disturb the geese so I can capture some photos. Jeb was good at first and then tried to sneak around the pond to reach the geese. They took flight.
White-throated sparrow
Back at the bird feeder, the grackles and the brown-headed cowbirds were back. The numbers of the dark-eyed juncos were dwindling as the winter bird gets ready to depart for their breeding grounds.
During the snowy days the bird feeders were flooded with birds of all kinds.
One was a white-throated sparrow. This common migrant and winter visitor arrives in mid-September and departs in late May, according to local author Gary Edwards in his book “Birds of Venango County.”
Edwards noted that the region is west and south of the expected white-throat breeding range in Pennsylvania. There was a probable breeding record in President Township that was never confirmed. However, Edwards pointed out that there was still a possibility of the bird’s range expanding into Venango County.
During the snowy days the bird feeders were flooded with birds of all kinds.
One was a white-throated sparrow. This common migrant and winter visitor arrives in mid-September and departs in late May, according to local author Gary Edwards in his book “Birds of Venango County.”
Edwards noted that the region is west and south of the expected white-throat breeding range in Pennsylvania. There was a probable breeding record in President Township that was never confirmed. However, Edwards pointed out that there was still a possibility of the bird’s range expanding into Venango County.
Daffodil bloom
The spring weather so far has been flighty like the birds, butterflies and others. The warmth was here one day and gone the next. The snow was here one day and gone the next few. During the transitions lion-like winds would roar through the region. However, the days are getting longer, and nature is marching forward no matter what the weather.
That's the nature of things 'round here.
That's the nature of things 'round here.
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