Sometimes it has felt like I needed persistence, perseverance and patience to accomplish some of my goals.
Moreover, I believed that nature has demonstrated to me each one of these concepts.
However, a photo of a frog I took over the past few weeks had me wondering which concept nature was trying to show me. There were several flies sitting on the frog’s head.
“Was it a case of a very patient frog waiting for the right moment to act?,” I pondered.
Perhaps it was just some very persistent flies providing proof that bugs do indeed bug everyone.
Moreover, I believed that nature has demonstrated to me each one of these concepts.
However, a photo of a frog I took over the past few weeks had me wondering which concept nature was trying to show me. There were several flies sitting on the frog’s head.
“Was it a case of a very patient frog waiting for the right moment to act?,” I pondered.
Perhaps it was just some very persistent flies providing proof that bugs do indeed bug everyone.
| Nonetheless, nothing exemplifies perseverance like a trail camera. Rain, shine, heat and cold, the trusty cameras take photos. Besides being resolute in all kinds of weather, the cameras exemplify patience, at least as far as the motion sensors are concerned. They show peaceful moments like a buck walking by the neighbor’s pond in the morning and not so peaceful shots like a skirmish at the salt lick. One camera was able to catch a small fawn following its mother in late May of this year. No fawns appeared on the camera until July 4. Those photos showed three little ones with a doe. There have been lots of bucks from little to larger sporting still growing antlers. However, even the most persevering cameras can be fraught with failure. Whether it was failing batteries or a bunch of ants building a nest, the cameras were not ever enduring. That was where the patience part of the equation came in. |     |
 |  Persistence, patience and perseverance were always needed when photographing butterflies, dragonflies and birds. The efforts to try to capture the “perfect” photo could drive one to insanity. I managed to capture a few photos of orioles and hummingbirds so far this year. While resting dragonflies were easy photo targets, those on the move required a lesson in persistence and patience. |
Twelve-spotted skimmer dragonfly
 Female Baltimore oriole |  Female ruby-throated hummingbird |
Photographing butterflies provided lessons as well.
Patience was waiting for the butterfly to open its wings and persistence was trying to chase it down once it took flight.
Patience was waiting for the butterfly to open its wings and persistence was trying to chase it down once it took flight.
Fritillary
Spotted wintergreen
Flowers additionally provided illustrations of persistence and perseverance.
There were quite a few spotted wintergreen plants that appeared to be thriving this year. In early July, parts of the forest floor were dotted with these small, perennial, evergreen herbs that are native to eastern North America.
Most of the wintergreen plants that I have observed have persevered on land that was a former strip mine.
There were quite a few spotted wintergreen plants that appeared to be thriving this year. In early July, parts of the forest floor were dotted with these small, perennial, evergreen herbs that are native to eastern North America.
Most of the wintergreen plants that I have observed have persevered on land that was a former strip mine.
In other spots, daisies flourished in soil that was devoid of other plants.
In the garden, I was delighted by the blooms of flowers that overwintered in the basement.
Begonias that had been reduced to roots produced lots of leaves and blooms.
In the garden, I was delighted by the blooms of flowers that overwintered in the basement.
Begonias that had been reduced to roots produced lots of leaves and blooms.
However, some tadpoles in a vernal pool did not appear to persevere during a June heat wave.
I was away from home during the period of intense heat and humidity in mid to late June. I couldn’t keep tabs on the vernal pool with a lot of what I believed to be wood frog tadpoles.
A check on them at the end of June revealed a dry pool. There were a few times in this late spring where I had added water to the puddle until there was enough rain to fill it back up.
I was away from home during the period of intense heat and humidity in mid to late June. I couldn’t keep tabs on the vernal pool with a lot of what I believed to be wood frog tadpoles.
A check on them at the end of June revealed a dry pool. There were a few times in this late spring where I had added water to the puddle until there was enough rain to fill it back up.
I was unsure of their survival. I asked the internet search engine Bing what happens if the vernal pool dries up before the tadpoles reach maturity.
“They all die,” was the answer presented in very large letters.
My heart sank, but I still had a little hope that the tadpoles may have matured.
Wood frog tadpoles take from 6 to 12 weeks to develop from tadpoles to frogs even though it takes years for them to mature as frogs.
My first photo of eggs was taken March 29th and I hoped that some of the tadpoles reached froghood before the pool dried up. Next year if the rain doesn’t persist, I vowed to make the choice to relocate them to the neighbor’s pond.
There were already some wood frogs breeding there this past spring. While the water levels fluctuate, the tadpoles should be able to persevere.
“They all die,” was the answer presented in very large letters.
My heart sank, but I still had a little hope that the tadpoles may have matured.
Wood frog tadpoles take from 6 to 12 weeks to develop from tadpoles to frogs even though it takes years for them to mature as frogs.
My first photo of eggs was taken March 29th and I hoped that some of the tadpoles reached froghood before the pool dried up. Next year if the rain doesn’t persist, I vowed to make the choice to relocate them to the neighbor’s pond.
There were already some wood frogs breeding there this past spring. While the water levels fluctuate, the tadpoles should be able to persevere.
While I was away, the region had persevered during a string of very hot and humid days. According to National Weather Service data, June 2024 finished out with Franklin seeing five 92-degree days during the period from June 18 to June 24.
The average temperature for the month was 82 degrees which was slightly above the normal average of 78.7 degrees. The month was short on rain with 2.66 inches compared to the normal of 4.86 inches.
Even though it was warmer, those high temps didn’t break any records.
The average temperature for the month was 82 degrees which was slightly above the normal average of 78.7 degrees. The month was short on rain with 2.66 inches compared to the normal of 4.86 inches.
Even though it was warmer, those high temps didn’t break any records.
Juvenile toad
According to data, June 18’s record high was 95 in 1994; June21’s record high was 98 in 1933; June 22’s record high was 100 in 1933; June 23’s record high was 96 in 1923; and June 24’s record was 95 in 1923.
Meanwhile the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s 8-to-14-day outlook issued on July 5 called for above average temperatures. The graphic for precipitation called for a slightly above average chance of precipitation.
Meanwhile the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s 8-to-14-day outlook issued on July 5 called for above average temperatures. The graphic for precipitation called for a slightly above average chance of precipitation.
Fledgling chipping sparrow
Data also showed that for Franklin, July was the month with the highest temperatures. The normal high was 82.7 degrees with an average low of 59.6 degrees. While I don’t have any official data,
I have observed that our nightly lows recently haven’t dipped down into the lower 60s let alone the upper 50s. Forecasted lows for July were predicted to be in the upper 60s for the next week.
I have observed that our nightly lows recently haven’t dipped down into the lower 60s let alone the upper 50s. Forecasted lows for July were predicted to be in the upper 60s for the next week.
Will the area have to preserve through yet another heat wave this summer? That was something only nature knows and another lesson we might have to learn. That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
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