Cool gray early December day in the Woods. I went out at noon to clear the cobwebs from my head and do some trail work. Entering from the NE gate I came to the big cedar and looked west down the inviting slope into the East Wash.
With the green of summer gone it looked as if there might be a nice new route from the big cedar down to the low water crossing of the East Wash I had seen last year. The route was fairly open and easy down to the pipeline, across the East Wash and then on to the east bank of the West Wash by the big cottonwoods where I needed to clear a tangle of large diameter vines. A good new route.. maybe develop later; but that section is near the highway and the sound of traffic is loud.
I worked on clearing the southeastern end of the new North Loop and it is now reasonably good all the way to the junction with the Trans OWP trail at the big pecan blowdown (from 2007). North and west on the North Loop (from the Cottonwoods on) there remains some work for loppers but no large diameter stuff.
Walking the Trans OWP, I found 3 white tail deer; they stood 70 feet away and alertly watched me. The Woods is a shelter for them now with hunting season; and there is enough cover to provide some protection when the cold north wind blows strongly.
From the big pecan blowdown, the Northern Loop takes 12 minutes now to walk without pause at a modest pace. From the same starting point at the pecan log, a second loop west on the Trans OWP to Hackberry Alley; south to the tall stump; southwest to Barney Jct; north on the fence line trail and then north again back to the pecan log.. the loop is 10 minutes. From the pecan log south to the fence corner the trail is flagged with orange but is not clear. This should be a good goal after finishing the western end of the Northern Loop.
One more big area where a trail is needed for access is heading southwest from the elm bridge across the washout channels down to the south central entrance. Somewhere in there I am almost certain I found one lone bald cypress last year; but I have not been able to relocate it.
The floor of the Woods is greening up with winter annuals.. avens, grasses, violets, chickweed, various other species. I need to have a botanist walk there with me and help me identify the most common twenty green species. I also need to figure out the fairly common two meter tall exotic shrub with small single red berries and elliptical oblong leaves (still green) with rich scented white flowers in the summer.
Along both banks of the East Wash it is noticeable that the several largest diameter pecans and old burr oaks that came down in the winter of 2007-2008 are all oriented in one direction to the west southwest. I think the same is true of the blowdown cedars on the dune. It might be interesting to map the direction of fall of many of the blowdowns at OWP and record the age of the blowdown (from surrounding scarred survivors).. develop a picture of which winds typically produce blowdowns at OWP.
A new OWP first today, I encountered an opossum 30 meters south of the tall stump. It climbed a near elm and looked down at me as I passed by.
The wood borer community should be fairly abundant this spring and summer 2010. There is lots of evidence of thorough colonization of the broken and blowdown material from 2007-2008.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Trail clearing and Inundation
Been a long time - several weeks.
Last two weeks I have been able to clear and flag or blaze more trail in the Woods. I extended the Dune Trail northward on the crest of a low ridge of clay.. beyond the drainage area, up to join with the east west fence line trail at the Tall Stump. From there I cleared a trail along Hackberry Alley north to the Trans OWP Trail not far from the East Pond. From the Tall Stump I also cleared a trail eastward to the fence line corner at the north end of the north south fence line midway across the Woods.
There is a clear trail running from the Tall Stump to Barney Junction on the north south fence line. And from the Tall Stump trail a trail runs southwest past the old snag into dense young ash (mostly dead 10-20? year old trees).. down to the main SW trail.
Today I worked from the northeast gate and extended the Escarpment Trail south to a gentler ravine descending to the stream/ dry wash to connect to the eastern end of the east west fence line trail.
It is now possible to walk a good loop from the northeast gate south to the new ravine descent, cross the creek on the low water crossing, then west on the east west fence line trail to the fence line corner, and on west to the Tall Stump, turn north along Hackberry Alley up to the Trans OWP Trail near the East Pond.. turn east back to the Burr Oak Bridge across the creek and rejoin the Escarpment trail.
Nice walk even when rain and high water inundates the SW woods.. as it recently did..
October 8 we received 2-3" of rain and 20-30 acres of Olivers Woods was inundated again.. I donned my knee boots and walked the familiar, although now inundated, SW trail. There were dragonflies ovipositing (not many.. maybe 4-6 I saw.) The water stayed long enough (2-3 weeks) to breed mosquitoes but they did not seem interested in getting a blood meal from me.
I noticed the water over a large area was backed by the low clay lens north of the Dune Trail. I cut the clay ridge and let the water begin to flow out more rapidly. I wondered if the ridge had been engineered by a bulldozer or by shovel work 30 years ago to hold water back in the Woods (maybe protect the service road on the south side?)
Last two weeks I have been able to clear and flag or blaze more trail in the Woods. I extended the Dune Trail northward on the crest of a low ridge of clay.. beyond the drainage area, up to join with the east west fence line trail at the Tall Stump. From there I cleared a trail along Hackberry Alley north to the Trans OWP Trail not far from the East Pond. From the Tall Stump I also cleared a trail eastward to the fence line corner at the north end of the north south fence line midway across the Woods.
There is a clear trail running from the Tall Stump to Barney Junction on the north south fence line. And from the Tall Stump trail a trail runs southwest past the old snag into dense young ash (mostly dead 10-20? year old trees).. down to the main SW trail.
Today I worked from the northeast gate and extended the Escarpment Trail south to a gentler ravine descending to the stream/ dry wash to connect to the eastern end of the east west fence line trail.
It is now possible to walk a good loop from the northeast gate south to the new ravine descent, cross the creek on the low water crossing, then west on the east west fence line trail to the fence line corner, and on west to the Tall Stump, turn north along Hackberry Alley up to the Trans OWP Trail near the East Pond.. turn east back to the Burr Oak Bridge across the creek and rejoin the Escarpment trail.
Nice walk even when rain and high water inundates the SW woods.. as it recently did..
October 8 we received 2-3" of rain and 20-30 acres of Olivers Woods was inundated again.. I donned my knee boots and walked the familiar, although now inundated, SW trail. There were dragonflies ovipositing (not many.. maybe 4-6 I saw.) The water stayed long enough (2-3 weeks) to breed mosquitoes but they did not seem interested in getting a blood meal from me.
I noticed the water over a large area was backed by the low clay lens north of the Dune Trail. I cut the clay ridge and let the water begin to flow out more rapidly. I wondered if the ridge had been engineered by a bulldozer or by shovel work 30 years ago to hold water back in the Woods (maybe protect the service road on the south side?)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Rain coming but paint first
This Saturday morning was soft humid and warm. The heat of the past week had moderated with a 0.30 inches of rain overnight and more rain was in the forecast.. but it was a quiet soft morning. I took Russell and Sesugh and new cans of blue tree marking paint and headed for the Woods.
Entering the SW gate off Chautauqua I experimented with the new paint and worked like a charm. I removed the masking tape temporary trial blazes I had placed there weeks ago and marked a permanent small vertical rectangle blaze.
Looking back after I had marked the first several trees, it appeared that the blazes were just right..not too big, but easily visible, good aids for students and walkers new to the trail, new to the Woods.
We'd been out maybe 10 minutes, when to my surprise, I saw Randy Lewis approaching from behind. He was there with a bundle of red flags and tapes to lay out the plots for the coming week's ecology lab on green ash population sampling.
I marked the trail all the way out to the Dune Trail and then marked the Dune Trail southward to the south perimeter fence. Then I turned back north marking trees along the path running along the raised western edge of the lower central basin/ flood plain.
I found the Trans OWP Trail in the north and marked blazes from the Burr Oak bridge west to the eastern end of the Ponds Trail.
I circled and circled the north central Woods looking for the trail I had flagged winter 08-09..and eventually found and marked where it connected with the main SW trail. I marked the junction with a double blaze.
Much more to do in marking trails already roughed out or cleared out. I should blaze the NE Escarpment Trail. But enough for today. Russell and Sesugh were waiting and we left to go for lunch.
Almost no mosquitoes (2) in 3 hours. One large doe in the woods north of the gate; several robins.
Entering the SW gate off Chautauqua I experimented with the new paint and worked like a charm. I removed the masking tape temporary trial blazes I had placed there weeks ago and marked a permanent small vertical rectangle blaze.
Looking back after I had marked the first several trees, it appeared that the blazes were just right..not too big, but easily visible, good aids for students and walkers new to the trail, new to the Woods.
We'd been out maybe 10 minutes, when to my surprise, I saw Randy Lewis approaching from behind. He was there with a bundle of red flags and tapes to lay out the plots for the coming week's ecology lab on green ash population sampling.
I marked the trail all the way out to the Dune Trail and then marked the Dune Trail southward to the south perimeter fence. Then I turned back north marking trees along the path running along the raised western edge of the lower central basin/ flood plain.
I found the Trans OWP Trail in the north and marked blazes from the Burr Oak bridge west to the eastern end of the Ponds Trail.
I circled and circled the north central Woods looking for the trail I had flagged winter 08-09..and eventually found and marked where it connected with the main SW trail. I marked the junction with a double blaze.
Much more to do in marking trails already roughed out or cleared out. I should blaze the NE Escarpment Trail. But enough for today. Russell and Sesugh were waiting and we left to go for lunch.
Almost no mosquitoes (2) in 3 hours. One large doe in the woods north of the gate; several robins.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Taking the measure of the Escarpment Trail
From 10 to noon I was on the northeastern Escarpment Trail leading from the North Gate 175 meters to the big walnut above the Burr Oak bridge. With a tape measure I flagged with masking tape 25 meter intervals along the trail.
Green pecan nuts are beginning to come down. I found many in patches along the trail.
A few landmarks:
35 m (or 114 ft) the funny Y-shaped old iron fence post
41 m (or 136 ft) old tin bucket used for vertebrate studies??
100 m young blackjack oak
125 m plum tree?
One three-toed box turtle at the top of the slope down to the Burr Oak bridge near the walnut. Flocks of robins down by the walnut and the stream crossing.
The Trans OWP Trail was in surprisingly good condition from the Burr Oak Bridge westward.. not overgrown..still clear. Lots of Micrathena spiders along that section.
Need to measure and flag distances along that.. and complete the leg on out to the West Ponds Trail.
One tiny tick.
(A few early monarchs have been flying south through open fields around Norman last couple of days.)
Green pecan nuts are beginning to come down. I found many in patches along the trail.
A few landmarks:
35 m (or 114 ft) the funny Y-shaped old iron fence post
41 m (or 136 ft) old tin bucket used for vertebrate studies??
100 m young blackjack oak
125 m plum tree?
One three-toed box turtle at the top of the slope down to the Burr Oak bridge near the walnut. Flocks of robins down by the walnut and the stream crossing.
The Trans OWP Trail was in surprisingly good condition from the Burr Oak Bridge westward.. not overgrown..still clear. Lots of Micrathena spiders along that section.
Need to measure and flag distances along that.. and complete the leg on out to the West Ponds Trail.
One tiny tick.
(A few early monarchs have been flying south through open fields around Norman last couple of days.)
Trail Blazing with Turtle and Bugs
I went to Olivers Woods this Sat. morning 10 to noon and it was pleasant.
I blazed the normal trail from the SW gate with big swatches of temporary masking tape stuck to the trees where I will paint blue blazes.
Saw a yearling white tail deer sprinting from near the Chautauqua side eastward into the Woods and one 3 toed box turtle and lots of Micrathena spiders.
The regular perch for the four libellullid dragonfly (siblings?, conspecifics at least) was occupied again but this time there were only three. They may be falling off with old age or being picked off by predators.
This species of dragonfly could be named the "patriot". It is red white and blue. The labial mask and front frons are increasingly turning a nice powder blue. The anterior portion of the abdomen is a handsome bright red and there are white stripes on the dark thorax.
I found two cicadas, one fluttered down in front of me seemingly exhausted. Green and black like Tibicen. Ants had found one recently deceased. I expect their singing (still loud) will begin to lessen from now with summer drawing to a close. I had not considered the effect of inundation on this population in their subterranean habitat.
I did not find the trail angling north east flagged with yellow flags. Sun blotches through the forest were the same color. I'll look again at a darker time early or late or cloudy.
Only two ticks (tiny).
I blazed the normal trail from the SW gate with big swatches of temporary masking tape stuck to the trees where I will paint blue blazes.
Saw a yearling white tail deer sprinting from near the Chautauqua side eastward into the Woods and one 3 toed box turtle and lots of Micrathena spiders.
The regular perch for the four libellullid dragonfly (siblings?, conspecifics at least) was occupied again but this time there were only three. They may be falling off with old age or being picked off by predators.
This species of dragonfly could be named the "patriot". It is red white and blue. The labial mask and front frons are increasingly turning a nice powder blue. The anterior portion of the abdomen is a handsome bright red and there are white stripes on the dark thorax.
I found two cicadas, one fluttered down in front of me seemingly exhausted. Green and black like Tibicen. Ants had found one recently deceased. I expect their singing (still loud) will begin to lessen from now with summer drawing to a close. I had not considered the effect of inundation on this population in their subterranean habitat.
I did not find the trail angling north east flagged with yellow flags. Sun blotches through the forest were the same color. I'll look again at a darker time early or late or cloudy.
Only two ticks (tiny).
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Hellgrammite Lazarus
Sunday Aug 16 at 8 AM I came again to the SW gate on Chautauqua. The Clematis virgins bower growing on top of the fence was just beginning to open its white flowers. I walked north into the Woods to the old overgrown main west gate (now closed and blocked by young trees) then east about 600 feet through the sedges and moribund dense young ash stand to a huge old cottonwood tree fallen perhaps in the ice storm two years ago.
Under a small older rotten log by the cottonwood I was surprised to find a hellgrammite! Curled up under the moist log, it sprang into action twisting around when I picked it up. It appeared to be a last instar full-grown larva. The nearest water was probably 100 meters north. This iconic aquatic immature insect had hunkered down and was waiting for the area to be inundated again .. pretty amazing! I was reminded of finding in October 2008 a half grown diapausing belostomatid under another dry rotten log further south in the Woods.
It occurred to me that the habitat of these insects was defined not just by spatial distance to water but also by a time dimension to the recent water and the future return of water.
The rotten log was near a small depression, 2-3 m in diameter that looked to have retained water longer than the surrounding soil. In this depression there were the shell remains of hundreds of the small fingernail clams Sphaerium(?)Sphaeriidae bivalves and two other completely different bleached aquatic shells as well (Helisoma Planorbiid rams-horn snails and Physa (sinistral shell).
The depression was ringed by modest diameter (10-15 cm DBH?) green ash and elms. The bases of all these trees were each well equipped with lots of trunk roots or pneumatophores(?) that may have allowed them to survive longer and deeper inundation. The dry soil in the center of the depression had a whitish tinge of (calcium ?) as though a sort of leachate had formed ..like a floodplain caliche.
Clambering up on to the enormous old cottonwood log I found an egg sized lime encrusted fresh plasmodium of a Physarum? slime mold.. recently crawled up there and drying, forming a fruiting body, sporulating.
Down at the base of the massive log I stared at the broken stump and wondered why cottonwoods like this do not stump sprout. It could very possibly have quickly grown enough new stems and leaves to support the rest of the tree.
Nearby there were the first golden fallen mulberry leaves on the ground .. the first real fall colors.
Just east of the base of the big cottonwood there was a sharp transition or break in the forest vegetation. At that point the ground was maybe an inch higher and had not flooded. The vegetation changed abruptly. There was a general ground cover of Lonicera Japanese honeysuckle, Cornus dogwood, Symphoricarpos buckbrush/ coral berry, Rhus, and a
sparse but general cover of a tall stemmed grass, now dead and bleaching yellow.
East of the transition to higher drier ground a dry still hard small hackberry log had dozens of millipedes.. and under another similar log I counted 80 of the same species all clustered together. Why? Protection? Habitat preference?
Under the logs there was also a fourth snail species - this one terrestrial.. name??
The logs in the drier woods were covered with the black encrusting Loculoascomycete.. not as evident in the area of the previous inundation.
Under the dry logs there were also hundreds of pill bugs and a few colonies of very small ants. Why pill bugs and ants so often cohabit? Why no scorpions here? Too wet?
Spiders:
Under the same small rotten log there were a quick running large wolf spider.. half the bulk of a tarantula, carrying a large egg sac under its abdomen.. and a pair of daddy long legs. Walking through the knee high sedges I found a pair of Argiope the black and yellow garden spider. The female was huge. And scattered through the Woods I am starting finally to see more of the cinnamon colored Araneus. Plus there are still many of the Micrathena.
Under a small older rotten log by the cottonwood I was surprised to find a hellgrammite! Curled up under the moist log, it sprang into action twisting around when I picked it up. It appeared to be a last instar full-grown larva. The nearest water was probably 100 meters north. This iconic aquatic immature insect had hunkered down and was waiting for the area to be inundated again .. pretty amazing! I was reminded of finding in October 2008 a half grown diapausing belostomatid under another dry rotten log further south in the Woods.
It occurred to me that the habitat of these insects was defined not just by spatial distance to water but also by a time dimension to the recent water and the future return of water.
The rotten log was near a small depression, 2-3 m in diameter that looked to have retained water longer than the surrounding soil. In this depression there were the shell remains of hundreds of the small fingernail clams Sphaerium(?)Sphaeriidae bivalves and two other completely different bleached aquatic shells as well (Helisoma Planorbiid rams-horn snails and Physa (sinistral shell).
The depression was ringed by modest diameter (10-15 cm DBH?) green ash and elms. The bases of all these trees were each well equipped with lots of trunk roots or pneumatophores(?) that may have allowed them to survive longer and deeper inundation. The dry soil in the center of the depression had a whitish tinge of (calcium ?) as though a sort of leachate had formed ..like a floodplain caliche.
Clambering up on to the enormous old cottonwood log I found an egg sized lime encrusted fresh plasmodium of a Physarum? slime mold.. recently crawled up there and drying, forming a fruiting body, sporulating.
Down at the base of the massive log I stared at the broken stump and wondered why cottonwoods like this do not stump sprout. It could very possibly have quickly grown enough new stems and leaves to support the rest of the tree.
Nearby there were the first golden fallen mulberry leaves on the ground .. the first real fall colors.
Just east of the base of the big cottonwood there was a sharp transition or break in the forest vegetation. At that point the ground was maybe an inch higher and had not flooded. The vegetation changed abruptly. There was a general ground cover of Lonicera Japanese honeysuckle, Cornus dogwood, Symphoricarpos buckbrush/ coral berry, Rhus, and a
sparse but general cover of a tall stemmed grass, now dead and bleaching yellow.
East of the transition to higher drier ground a dry still hard small hackberry log had dozens of millipedes.. and under another similar log I counted 80 of the same species all clustered together. Why? Protection? Habitat preference?
Under the logs there was also a fourth snail species - this one terrestrial.. name??
The logs in the drier woods were covered with the black encrusting Loculoascomycete.. not as evident in the area of the previous inundation.
Under the dry logs there were also hundreds of pill bugs and a few colonies of very small ants. Why pill bugs and ants so often cohabit? Why no scorpions here? Too wet?
Spiders:
Under the same small rotten log there were a quick running large wolf spider.. half the bulk of a tarantula, carrying a large egg sac under its abdomen.. and a pair of daddy long legs. Walking through the knee high sedges I found a pair of Argiope the black and yellow garden spider. The female was huge. And scattered through the Woods I am starting finally to see more of the cinnamon colored Araneus. Plus there are still many of the Micrathena.
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