Metallic Dragonflies?

   It does not surprise me to see hundreds of dragonflies around the two small ponds.  What are ponds for if not to entice dragonflies to lay their eggs in the shallows?  Personally, I figure we need about ten thousand more of the critters.  Perhaps, then, there will be less mosquitoes.  Since the "powers that be" (those in charge of the cities around here) have decided that mosquito prevention programs are not necessary anymore, there has been a literal explosion of the pests.  It has basically been impossible to spend any time at all outside without being eaten alive.  They are just that bad.  The dragonflies have their work cut out for them, for sure!

  At daybreak, I meandered about the place (swatting mosquitoes).  As I neared Puddle Pond, a slight gleam of silvery blue caught my eye.  A lovely dragonfly was resting in the sunbeams that filtered through the ginger plants.  Wow!  It was lovely!  The rest of my time outdoors was spent photographing the insect. My mind kept whirling with ideas of how to replicate this marvelous creature in some artform. Mother Nature sure can turn out some beauties!

Cool Critters!

   While wildlife abounds here on the Bayou, I have to admit that lately I have been smitten with the dragonflies.  Perhaps this is due to the swarms of mosquitoes this summer and the dragonflies fancy for them but I find myself back by the little Frog Pond or next to Puddle Pond more than I should be.  I am mesmerized by the dragonflies!  It seems that there is something magical about these creatures.  They appear to be delicate and fragile but are some of the most fierce hunters (for their size).  They can out maneuver any other flying creature and, in a single snap, have their prey.  They hunt while on the wing then rest on a twig as they await their next prey to enter.  Fascinating!

Cool facts!

 ...Dragonflies have four wings that they can control separately.

...Dragonflies can fly sideways and backwards.

...Dragonflies' heads are basically all eyes.

...Dragonfly larvae can live up to two years underwater.

...Dragonflies can eat up to a hundred mosquitoes during a single day.

...Dragonflies actually catch their prey with their feet.

Smile of the Dragonfly

   Yesterday seemed to be a day filled with dragonflies.  It was odd since most were blue and most were happily flitting about the Frog Pond but nary a one near Puddle Pond.  It always delights me to be working in the midst of these darting critters.  I feel as if they are protecting me from mosquitoes and deer flies.  Plus, the dragonflies are just so pretty...voracious predators but pretty just the same.

  Now a quick question.  Have you ever taken a few moments to truly look at a dragonfly?  I mean truly...closeup...inspect?  They are wonderful creatures that are perfectly made for flight and catching prey on the wing but today's inspection is more personal.  Dragonflies all seem to have a huge smile!  (Yes, I know...human traits given to critters and all that.)  Still, they have the appearance that they are just plumb enjoying life!  

  Dragonflies supposedly symbolize living freely and, by the looks on their faces, it agrees with them.  Perhaps that is what it takes to be happy.  Being free-spirited can be a good route to happiness.  Let things go and just enjoy what is before you.  Dragonflies obviously have that down pat!  Smile, folks, it does everyone a load of good

As Cool as a Dragonfly?

   Today was full of chores even though I felt like I should have stayed in bed.  The past week has seen me feeling quite poorly.  The body is getting old and has to have the brain reprimand it sometimes.  "Get up.  Get moving. Get better."  Good thoughts, anyway.  So, I got up canned peaches, did the laundry and swept the floors before daybreak.  Then, it was out to pick plums before the squirrels and coons got them.  Seems such a waste that they will not eat the whole fruit.  One bite and drop.  Frustrating, to say the least.

  While picking the plums, I noticed that the Frog Pond was completely being overrun by the water hyacinths so that became the next chore.  Pull out about half of the plants and compost them.  The pond would be a much happier place after being unclogged.  While there, a blue dragonfly kept flitting about my head.  Finally, it came to rest on the top of a dead branch of the small willow.  By this time, the sun was beating down upon us both.  I was sweltering!  So a break was needed.  Sitting on the old bench beneath the plum tree, I had the perfect view of the dragonfly.  

  Have you ever taken note of how a dragonfly perches itself on a branch?  Usually, the critter is horizontal with wings spread (always) but if the day is extremely hot, they take a different position.  The tail is pointed straight up and at the sun!  Unusual but effective as a method of keeping cool.  By pointing the tail at the sun, it reduces the surface of the dragonfly that the sun can hit.  The dragonfly literally stays cool by "making itself smaller".  Not that it changes size but it reduces the surface where the sun hits.  Smart critter!

 As I sat there pondering heat, dragonflies and chores, it hit me that I needed to get myself out of that heat and get a drink of cooling water.  Perhaps the next chores should be done indoors.  Folks, stay hydrated and cool!  It is hot out there!

Pretty Checkered Wings

  Earlier today, a walk to the compost pile was necessary to empty the kitchen scraps.  This daily chore, not only helps to clean the kitchen, it supplies a good bit of healthy soil for the garden, snacks for whatever critter is hungry and a chance for me to be outside.  Compost piles are good for what ails you!  It was on that short outing that I noticed a dragonfly resting on one of the tomato crates.  The garden has gone the wayside but I have neglected to gather the crates.  The dragonfly was readily identified as a Common Whitetail Skimmer.  Earlier in the spring, dozens of the female dragonflies of this type visited the garden but nary a male could be found.  Now, a fine specimen was here.  Better late than never, I suppose.  Fortunately, there were still several females in the area flitting about the Frog Pond.

  The Common Whitetail Skimmers are a bit different from other dragonflies.  Their bodies sort of chunky compared to other dragonflies.  The wings are checkered black and clear.  The male and female wing bars are almost the exact opposite of each others.  With these dragonflies, it is easy to distinguish male from female even at a distance.  The female is dark brown while the male is almost white or pale blue.  This color difference is due to a coating called pruinosity.  It appears as a light dusting of color and the males use in it territorial displays.  (The female does not have this.) The males will lift the abdomen high to let other males know that this is their territory.  If that does not work, then an aerial battle will take place. After mating, the female lays her eggs in water where they will hatch and the nymphs live until they morph into adulthood.  The Common Whitetail Skimmers are highly dependent on fresh water.

  My short outings to the compost pile can be looked upon as a much needed break.  I can escape for a few moments before having to return to the reality of caring for the old dog.  Hopefuly soon, he will feel up to joining me on longer hikes but, for now, I will be thankful for a compost heap!

 

Settling in for the night...

  Late in the afternoon just before sunset, I feed up the old dog and then take him out for one last walk about the hillside.  Mr. PJ does his business while I observe whatever critters are busying themselves in the nearby bushes.  When he is ready, we make our way back up the hill and he gladly climbs on his bed.  There he will stay all snug until morning.  This routine has become so ingrained in the old dog's brain that he lets me know when feeding and walking time has arrived.  I had better not miss either!

  This afternoon, we also ventured into what used to be the garden.  Now the area sits barren while it awaits the planting of a fall garden.  Just as the sun was starting to set behind the pines, a lone dragonfly flitted past my head.  The critter lit on the dead twig that was caught up in the fence line.  This dragonfly seemed to be going to bed much like Mr. PJ does.  There was a little bit of twitching and turning before it found just the right spot to spend the night.  As I was watching, it occurred to me that I have never seen a dragonfly hunt at night.  They all seem to settle in on some twig and spend the night resting.   But then, I have never gone out dragonfly hunting at night to see just what they actually do "after hours".

   The idea of a sleeping dragonfly made me do a bit of research and my hunch was correct.  Other than some dragonflies becoming disoriented due to bright lights, the critters spend the night resting.  Occasionally, they may shift positions on a twig or flee if a predator comes too near but they are usually diurnal.  Rest easy, Little Dragonfly, rest easy.  Tomorrow, you will have a full day of hunting so get all the rest you can!

The Dining Table

  Down by the Frog Pond, there is a rather large piece of driftwood.  Driftwood is not naturally found in a man made pond but since I needed a "turtle ramp" to help the turtles climb up the steep, slippery sides, the wood was hauled up the hill from the marsh.  This piece and several others not only give the turtles an escape route but provide the other pond critters a handy shelter or perch...whichever is needed at the moment.  Today, a blue dragonfly was utilizing the wood as a dining table.

  The dragonfly was happily snatching up grasshoppers and katydids from the remnants of the garden.  With each catch, the dragonfly would fly back to the Frog Pond, alight on the driftwood and begin to devour is prey.  It was fascinating to watch this amazing creature while it was on the hunt.  Dragonflies can fly in any direction...not just forward.  They can fly up, down, sideways and even backwards.  Having two sets of wings with muscles that can work independently allows the dragonfly to change the angle of each wing.  This gives them the amazing flying skills.  The independently hinged wings makes them superior fliers.  They pretty much can out maneuver any prey.  Speed and endurance also play into the dragonfly's predatory skills.  They can fly up to 30mph and some species can fly across oceans during migration.  

  My little dragonfly was not out to set any records of speed, endurance nor agility.  He just wanted a meal.  The grasshoppers and katydids were readily available so he really did not have to work hard. My visit with him ended when he decided that a stinkbug should be on the menu.  Have at it, Dragonfly Buddy!  You can eat any bugs you want!

My Defender!

  Yesterday, I told you about a rather interesting critter friend, the robber fly.  Although, that fly was quite scary looking, it was no threat and actually was a big help to us as it preys upon other bugs.  I was elated to find that it munched on deer flies as they tend to love to munch on us.  While on the pier, I found another beneficial critter.  A blue dasher was resting on the marsh grass as it waited for dinner to pass its way.  Blue dasher dragonflies are ones that wait for dinner to come to them rather than spend the day in search of prey.  Although they are superb fliers, this dragonfly employs the wait and pounce technique.  Most other dragonflies search for prey.

  While watching the blue dasher, I was being viciously attacked by deer flies.  Several dozen of the rascals were flying about my head just waiting to attack.  Anytime we are near the marsh edge, swarms of the biting flies circle our heads.  While I was slapping deer flies, the blue dasher was catching dinner.  Deer flies were on the menu for him!

  Blue dashers are probably the most common of dragonflies.  They can be found near any marsh, pond or creek.  Slow moving water is the perfect nursery for their larvae.  The males are the bright blue dragonflies that most folks see.  The females are much smaller and quite different in appearance.  They are more striped than the males. The male blue dasher will defend his territory from any intruders and defend his ladylove from any interlopers.  It also seems as if they defend me from deer flies!

 

One Way Ticket

  It seems that most of the South is talking about the hoards of dragonflies that have been visiting.  This mass migration is something to behold when you can view it from across the water or an open field. Millions upon millions of dragonflies come flitting across the area without taking a break until nightfall.  The critters fly southward on their long journey just like birds do in preparation for the winter.  It is an arduous flight for the insects.  They average a good forty or more miles in a week.  While this seems like pitiful progress according to the "instant" rate that humans and larger animals travel but when you consider the minute size of the dragonflies, you will come to realize that covering that distance in proportion to their body size is pretty amazing.

  The last few days has seen the migration in full swing.  Being on the pier gives one a perfect view of the insects as they buzz across the water.  Some grow weary and a strong wind can knock them into the Bay.  Those usually do not survive as a fish is ready to nab this tasty meal.  The others, however, welcome the marsh as a resting point. There, they can rejuvenate to carry on their journey at daylight.  While dragonflies fly southward for the winter, they do not make the return trip.  Those who fly south, mate, lay eggs then eventually die.  It is the next generation that heads north come springtime.  The dragonflies have a one-way ticket to the Deep South but they are more than welcome to come and just stay!  

  The recent rains have caused the mosquitoes to multiply substantially. Those and their larvae are a favorite food of the dragonflies and their nymphs.  The circle of life continues and Mother Nature always has an answer as long as humans do not interfere.  Silly Humans!  Stop meddling and let Mother Nature do her job!

One Of The Tiniest!

  After sweeping for the umpteenth time this afternoon, I went out to empty the dustpan off of the back porch.  We are doing a few more repairs on the Little Bayou House so sawdust invariably finds its way indoors.  My kitchen floor stays littered with the stuff!  I sweep and then dump it off the back porch under the pear tree.  While whapping the pan against the porch rail, I noticed a dragonfly balanced precariously on a tiny twig of the tree.  A nice breeze was coming from the north so the dragonfly was doing its best to hang onto the twig.  While there is nothing unusual about dragonflies flitting about the place, this one was different.  I have never seen one quite like it. Here lately, our dragonflies have taken on a whole new look.  I am not sure if the rainy summer has drawn in more to the little Frog Pond or, if perhaps, I am just being more observant as of late.

  The first thing to catch the eye was the color of the critter and the shininess of its body.  The dragonfly looked almost gilded!  The shiny gold glimmered brilliantly in the bright sunshine.  It was breathtaking, to say the least. It was then that I noticed the other difference.  The critter was the smallest dragonfly that I have ever seen.  The body could not have been much more than an inch in length and the wingspread was only maybe two inches at its widest point.  

  The tiny critter would ride the bouncing twig until it lost its grip.  It would then fly in a circle, alight on the same twig and continue its bouncy ride.  I watched for a bit before heading back to chores.  Late this evening, the golden dragonfly was still on the same twig.  The winds have died down so at least the critter will have a peaceful night.  If this one is migrating, I probably will not see it again but, come first light, I will peek out on the porch to check on my friend.  Critter life is so amazingly beautiful.

Dragonflies....Disease Fighting Insects!

  When you think about it, humans are great transmitters of disease. With all the worldwide travel going on these days, anything and everything can hitch a ride even unnoticed.  If a friend of mine traveled back from a trip abroad with a lovely mouse spider hidden in her suitcase, I am fairly certain that much tinier critters slip in with their travel host blissfully unaware.  Now add that to the critter transmitted diseases and thing could just get ugly!  Here lately, it seems that each summer brings a new threat of mosquito borne diseases that threaten to make life miserable, to say the least.  A lot of mosquito transmitted diseases are fatal which should make this high priority with those in charge of eradicating illnesses.  It should be fairly simple....get rid of mosquitoes and you get rid of those diseases....right?  Much easier said than done.  Mosquitoes will never fully be eradicated.  It ain't happenin', folks.  Mosquitoes, like roaches, will be around even when we, as humans, perish. 

  But!  There are a couple of things that folks, like you and me, can do to help!  First, empty those containers with standing water.  Birdbaths are terrible about harboring mosquito larvae and a lot of us neglect them. We stick the ornamental bath in the yard and never think about it again.  Bad idea.  Can you say....breeding haven for mosquitoes?  Yep, clean that thing at least once a week,,,or better yet, twice a week!  Another good idea is to encourage bats to inhabit your yard!  Contrary to what most skittish people think, bats do not hurt you!  They are a huge help in eating those biting critters that fly around our decks and porches.  Put up a bat house and enjoy their nightly show!  If you are so fortunate as to have a water feature in your yard (here, my Frog Pond!), make sure to allow dragonflies to breed there!  A few goldfish will keep the mosquito larvae limited but it will be the dragonfly nymphs that do the most damage to the bad critters.  Plus, once the nymphs morph into adult dragonflies, your yard will be a much safer place.  An adult dragonfly can eat several hundred mosquitoes in a single day!  Amazing!

  Here on the Bayou, it is hard to "empty" standing water.  It is everywhere.  Ummm....the Bayou, itself is "standing water".  That said, we have a ton of mosquitoes.  Those billions of bugs bite and have the potential of spreading disease like butter on toast.  So!  I have been encouraging the dragonflies to inhabit the Frog Pond.  Hopefully, I will be raising very hungry dragonflies!

A Useless Fact About Blue Dashers

   Weird thoughts dominate the brain at times.  A most commonplace thing can strike up a thought that is about as crazy as one can be.  I ponder how in the world I even know some of the things but thousands of useless facts are stored in among the cobwebs in the deep, dark depths of my mind.  That one sight or sound can bring things to the surface and then I ponder.  

  Today's trigger sight was a dragonfly.  I was coming up from checking the crab traps when I spied a beauty of a Blue Dasher Dragonfly.  How I even knew what type the thing was amazed me. The name just popped into the head along with a few other obscure facts about the critter. Since I was thinking about the bug, I decided to plop myself down and visit with it a while.

   An adult dragonfly eats hundreds of soft-bodied insects each day which makes me happy.  Right now, the Bayou is inundated with bugs of all sorts.  The mosquitoes are here in masses, termites by the tons and deer flies in droves.  I need just as many dragonflies to protect me from the others! The nymph of the dragonfly lives in still waters such as the Frog Pond and in the brackish water of the Bayou.  The nymph's appetite rivals that of the adult.  Mostly, the nymph feeds upon mosquito larva. 
  
  Most everyone knows the above facts about the critters but one almost grotesque fact popped into the head while thinking about the beautiful dragonfly.  While it is not so in the adults, the nymphs have a very unusual (almost disturbing) way of breathing.  Water is taken in and expelled through their anus.  Air is extracted from this water flow which also propels the critter through the water.  Soooo......dragonfly nymphs breathe through their butts!  Weird.....I am not sure how I even know that and, to be certain, I did a bit of checking.  Yep, that tidbit is a fact. SO.....now you know!  (And now that fact shall pop into your head every time you see a dragonfly!)

Predator Meets Predator

  For some reason, the critters here on the Bayou are having a difficult spring.  While the weather is incredibly "spring-like" in accordance to others' standards, it is a tad cooler than normal here.  I don't think this should be a critical factor in the lives of critters since it is not cold...just plumb nice!  As I said before, the songbirds are meeting with many predators and are being obliterated at a rapid pace.  So many nests are utterly destroyed by the predators.  
  
  But the birds are not the only ones facing trouble.  Today while out meandering the gardens, I noticed that the frogs are being their usual predatory selves as well.  While it is fine and dandy that they munch a lot of the bugs, I do wish they would leave the dragonflies in peace. Obviously, as soon as a nymph climbs up on the Elephant Ear Plants to morph into an adult dragonfly, one of the frogs attacks!  Before the dragonfly's wings dry enough to enable it to fly, the frog is munching down breakfast.  The surface of the pond's water is covered with the lacy wings minus the bodies. Sorry, frogs!  I need these dragonflies! Mosquitoes are literally eating me alive out here!

  In view of all of the recent threats of dire diseases carried by mosquitoes, the dragonflies are indeed a necessity.  Without these speedy divebombers, the biting insects will soon take over the place. Living on the Bayou is a bit different than living where the larvae can be controlled.  While it is all good to empty pools, buckets and old tires containing standing water, one just cannot empty a bayou.  The dragonflies have always kept things in balance.  Frogs do their part but the dragonflies are able to reach many more mosquitoes.  So...do the frogs go?  Something has to change...ponder, ponder.

Wonderment.....

  Ben Franklin once said "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."  I am not sure where Old Ben was coming from with that wealthy bit but the healthy part makes sense.   There are certain benefits to rising early in the morning.  I find I feel much better if I am up before the dawn.  The early rising makes the mornings go smoother without the feeling of being rushed in any way.  Plus!  There are added benefits to rising at this hour.  I can take a mug of coffee to the pier and watch the sun rise above the Bayou. I can feel the coolness of the air and smell the earth while it is still fresh and new.  I can hear the birds as they wake from their nightly slumber.  I, also, can catch sight of critters as they are making their first entrance in this world or are morphing from one state to another.  That is what happened this morning.  

  Just a little after sunrise, I was out back cleaning up some odds and ends of lumber that Son had dropped while building a deck on the storage shed.  He usually cleans up behind himself but, since he was not finished with the job, he had left a few scraps for later pick-up.  I decided to be a tad helpful and clean the area.  This deck is right next to the water garden he built for me last week.  Since it is a bit late in the year to start water cress or water chestnuts, I tossed a few water hyacinths in the pool just to dress it up a bit.  These will be removed at a later date.  It was on one of those hyacinths that I found my daily bit of wonderment.  A dragonfly was just emerging from its nymph stage. It was not yet an adult as it had to unfurl the wings and let them dry. Dragonflies are skilled hunters both as nymphs and adults but at this stage it is at its most vulnerable.  It is helpless to defend itself against any predators that wish to dine upon it.  I, personally, did not wish to eat said dragonfly so it was perfectly safe while I photographed it.

  I watched as the dragonfly pulled free from the useless hull of its nymph stage and then as it fluttered its wings for the first time ever. What an amazing thing to observe!  It occurred to me that not many folks ever get to see such a miraculous event.  Either they are still asleep or are hustling about and never see what nature is doing.  I sure love living on the Bayou.  I sure love getting up before dawn to experience things such as this.  Wow!

Water-weary and HOT!

  The heat and rain that has slammed the Bayou for the past ten days or so has really taken a toll on the garden.  Plants are literally being drowned.  This is strange as one day the pouring rain saturates the ground to the sogging point but then let one day go without moisture and plants are wilted.  It is sort of saddening as I spent all spring babying the plants now to only have them die without producing.  That and the onslaught of bugs that insist upon chewing their way through each and every plant has just about turned me against trying again....but I will.  Pop always used to say that he "needed to try a bit harder" so I guess what was good enough for him is good enough for me.

  One thing that is flourishing is the Frog Pond.  Hmmm...no go figure. Not only are the thousands of toads and frogs extremely happy, the dragonflies and mayflies seem to think everything is pretty nifty as well. I see more and more of the castoff "sheds" of the nymphs.  The pond plants are covered with the weird-looking "skeletons".  This makes me happy since these critters might eat the others that are not so very nice.  

  Even the pond plants are enjoying the rains and heat.  Obviously, water hyacinths are accustomed to extreme heat.  I pulled out and discarded nearly a hundred of the plants during the pond cleaning in March. Now that May is nigh over, the pond is once again filled to the brim with the bright green floaters.  I fully understand the need to keep these things contained!  (I have found that they make great compost, though!)  

  As much as I am a bit water-weary, rain is always welcome and I shall not complain...too much.  Things could be far worse and I fully expect the end-summer drought to be just as frustrating.  Being thankful for whatever may come is the way to go!

Rescue attempts

  Usually I find being on the pier most relaxing.  There is a peace that comes with the gentle waves, sunrises or sunsets.  I find time to meditate or just ponder the wonders of nature.  Tonight, however, was just the opposite.  In fact, it was quite disturbing. 

  After toting my bucket, net and camera down the pier, Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, and I were set to do a bit of fishing.  Mullet and shrimp are in the Bay and make for tasty meals.  Before I could even toss the net one time, I noticed a critter in need.  It was a dire situation.  It is time for the dragonfly migration and one had been somehow knocked into the water.  Its wings were wet making it impossible for the critter to fly. With the cool weather we have been enjoying lately, I knew the insect was probably not going to last long.  The boat hook came in mighty handy in fishing the critter from the water.  Once I had the dragonfly up, I gingerly lifted it off the pole.  The poor thing was just about finished. Obviously, it loved the warmth of my hand because it refused to leave. I held the critter for nigh on twenty minutes but then had to set it on my camera case.  A new calamity just flew in and landed on the pier. 

  I heard the fluttering of wings and turned to find myself almost face to face with a heron.  "Hi there, Bird!", I said.  Ms. Ez cocked her head and looked at me then whined.  She eased her way nearer the bird and laid down on the pier.  She whined again. Then she moved closer yet and laid down.  I pondered at what the crazy dog was doing.  Ms. Ez kept up this whine and crawl until she was about ten feet from the bird.  She would look at me and whine..crawl, look at me and whine.  Then I noticed that the poor bird had a broken ankle and looked awfully thin. Several injuries could be seen on its body as well.  Oh, my! This would never do!  First things first.  I had to get that bird something to eat. I threw the net and caught three fine little mullet.  No sooner had I tossed them on the pier, than the bird flew to them and gulped them down.  "You are hungry, aren't you?"  I threw the net again and caught two minnows and three small croakers. Those, too, slipped down the bird's throat.  Six or eight more fish were tossed to the bird before he slowed down.  At least, the bird had supper.  It was still badly hurt and needed help, though.

  As for the dragonfly, he came home with me and is warming in the greenhouse.  Tomorrow, if all went well through the night, he will be released to continue his journey.  As for the heron, I sent a message to the wildlife rescue organization.  If he is still around in the morning, I am sure they will be able to capture and heal the bird.  I do so hate when any critter is hurt.  This was a very trying evening on the pier. 

The Little Tyke

  Perhaps it is the fact that I am a mother or maybe things just trust me...I don't know but for some strange reason, critters lack a fear of me. This is all good until it is some unwanted friendliness.  The curious cottonmouth moccasin or nosy yellow jacket can cause a bit of angst. The trepidation usually eases once the critter decides that I am not their best friend.  They retreat and I breathe a sigh of relief.  Other critters never leave.
 
  I was out sitting in the cooling breeze when I noticed a dragonfly pull in beside me.  It lighted upon the strap of my camera case and stayed for the duration of my rest.  A visit from a dragonfly is not unusual but the size of this particular insect was most curious.  The thing was about half the size of a normal dragonfly.  My goodness!  This little tyke was tiny!  This started me pondering as to how the minuscule being came to be.  Dragonflies are not like most critters that are born tiny and grow into their full size.  Once the nymph morphs into the flying stage, they are as big as they are going to get.  This was not some "baby" dragonfly that would soon grow as large as its peers.  The poor little guy was just puny!  I wondered if something had happened during the early portion of its life that made it undersized.

  The dragonfly and I communed for long while.  It sitting, staring silently at me while I yammered on about how he had a huge task to keep up with all of the other dragonflies.  I gave him some uplifting, inspirational words about never giving up and perseverance.  "Don't give in to the bullying, Little Guy!  You have what it takes to make it in the Dragonfly World!  You are just as beautiful as your larger relatives. Sometimes great things come in small packages."  Yep, I was talking to a bug here.  I was trying to give him the boost he needed to compete in the insect world.  After a bit, the little tyke started darting about the birdbath as if this was his private "pond".  In that tiny bowl of water, he looked like a relative giant!  Looking good, Little Tyke, looking good!

 

To the Rescue!

  The garden was plagued with squash bugs this past week.  They were so awful that my squash plants met their untimely demise.  I miss them terribly.  I had gotten so used to being able to have squash readily available that I am now craving the yellow goodness at my supper table. It seems that there is just no "natural" or organic method of ridding the garden of these pests.  I tried just about every concoction that I could conjure but to no avail.  Short of splitting each stalk of the squash plant and pulling out the larvae, I had no defense plan.  No defense led to the demise.  One lone squash plant stood defiantly in the middle of the garden.  This was one die-hard plant!  It had worms in the stalk but still lingered while I had given up on defeating the bugs.

  This morning, however, I was met by a veritable army!  Soldiers had taken over guard duty of the garden.  A swarm of dragonflies had made themselves at home in the garden.  I felt so blessed!  The beautiful insects zipped about among the tomatoes, peppers and sole squash plant.  With each dart, one had its lunch.  The hungry eagles of the bug world were devouring every pest in sight.....even the squash bugs!!  How exciting!   I counted over twenty different dragonflies flitting about the plants. 

  The dragonflies had finally morphed from their nymph stage in the Frog Pond.  It took a seriously long time but, then again, it was at the perfect time!  Those squash bugs were devouring everything!  With the soldiers on duty, my garden will become bug-free and perhaps I can replant the squash.  Now.....if we could only get a rain!  

I am a hero!!!

It is not often that one has the opportunity to save a life!  This morning started out just as any other morning.  Ms. Ez and I took our trek to the pier to enjoy the sunrise and start the day with a bit of peaceful meditation.  I try to do this on a daily basis..meditate and enjoy the sunrise in the morning, then in the evening..meditate and enjoy a sunset.  This bit of therapy allows me to begin and end each day with a wonderful feeling.  On this morning, though, we found ourselves in a bit of drama.

Walking down the pier before daylight did not permit me to see a lot but after the sun rose, I noticed a friend struggling to survive.  The terrific storm of yesterday left a lovely Green Darner waterlogged and unable to fly.  The dragonfly was clinging to the pier board waiting for the sun to warm his body.  The healing would have taken place in just a few hours beneath the warm sunbeams but not all was going good for the dragonfly.  Just above us, a seagull had already spied the insect and would have made a quick meal of the helpless critter.  I could not let such a beautiful creature fall prey to the seagull.  Even though this was a matter of survival for both, I chose to help the Green Darner.

Reaching down, I gently lifted the insect from his perch on the pier.  At first, he tried to struggle and put up a show of defiance.  His body was weak and his defense show was soon depleted.  The poor critter just  gave up and let me carry him to the Little Bayou House.  Once inside, a thought hit me!  Just how am I supposed to revive an insect?  Hmmm?  I knew that he needed a warm, draft-free place to recuperate so the entryway fit the bill perfectly.  There is no air conditioning there making it quite warmish.  The bug was gently placed in a strange arrangement of dried grasses and lichens.  I had collected these over the summer and just poked them in a brass pot.  The dragonfly should feel right at home on the reeds.  Feel better, Little One. I will check on you in a bit.

Several times, I went out to find the dragonfly still sitting on the reed.  The third check saw him on the window but still weak.  I was so in hopes that he would revive!  After our morning coffee, Mark headed out to pay a few bills.  When he went out the door, he noticed my friend.  The dragonfly had warmed nicely and was flitting about the room!  Mark opened the door and the Green Darner appreciatively made a dash for it!  Out the door and into the garden went my friend!  I was elated!  I had saved a life!  The seagull would have to find its breakfast elsewhere!  I am a hero!!  I am a hero!!

A Healthy Pond is a Happy Pond!

The Frog Pond is alive and well.  This morning after cutting the grass, I ventured back to the pond to view the Water Hyacinths that are blooming profusely.  Yes, these are the same Water Hyacinths that are invasive if allowed to expand beyond the confines of this little pond.  I am careful not to let any escape!  I watch for seeds and never...never allow any to be moved to the Bayou.  There the plant could possibly multiply in mass quantities and clog the waterways.  That would mean an end to the Bayou as I know it.  Actually, the plants that I have growing in the Frog Pond were lifted from the marsh.  Mark saw one lone plant that some not so eco-careful person dumped into the Bay.  He scooped up the plant..like any good steward of the waters should..and brought it home.  While he had intentions of just bringing me an interesting plant, he did a fine service to the welfare of the Bay and Bayou.  In a matter of three years, that one plant has multiplied into probably seven hundred!  My Frog Pond is far too small to house seven hundred of anything other than tadpoles so each spring, I pull all but five plants from the water.  The dislocated plants are composted as fertilizer for the vegetable garden.  There they can do no harm!

As I admired the beautiful blooms of the Water Hyacinths, I noticed that the Water Lilies are also doing quite well. The lily pads are dark green and quite lush.  A lone yellow bloom sat beneath the tall-stemmed leaves.  A number of tiny American Green Tree Frogs were perched here and there on the stalks and leaves of both the lilies and hyacinths.  This is the whole purpose of the Frog Pond..to give these tiny amphibians a place to lay their eggs and then for the little ones to mature enough to keep the cycle going.  The frogs eat so many bugs!

Other bug-eaters were out in full force, too.  Dragonflies were hovering above the pond.  They, too, will lay their eggs in the cool water under the lily pads.  There is enough underwater cover to give them shelter from any predators.  Although, the nymphs, themselves, are probably the most voracious predators in the pond!  These small critters will eat their way through a billion or so mosquito nymphs during their stay in the pond.  Once they mature enough to crawl out and become full-fledged dragonflies, they will continue to dine upon flying insects.

Speaking of underwater coverage, Michael pulled another pond plant from the Bay last summer. He observed a strange non-Bay plant floating about near the pier and scooped it out for me.  This plant was none other than a Coontail.  It is a great plant to have in the pond as it provides a feeding spot for most critters.  Good snag, Michael!  What started as a single sprig of maybe ten inches has grown to fill the bottom of the pond!  This plant oxygenates the pond as well as providing protection for tiny critters.

I am quite happy that the pond is doing so well with both flora and fauna.  A healthy pond is a sign of a healthy environment.  The Frog Pond with its plants, turtles, frogs, toads, dragonflies and water beetles is quite the ecosystem in itself!  It is great to know that it has developed into such a happy place!