August Woods Walk and a Chicken

Hot. July 15-Aug 7 are the Woods' hottest three weeks over recent 30 year average. I went to see the mid-late summer Woods at 2:30 via the SW Gate. Immediate relief from the sun under the shade of the big bur oaks. The soft racket of cicadas filled the air.. not deafening; but audible. I walked north and encountered a large white-tailed doe that trotted north inside the fence line.

I  followed her along the Westside Trail. The soil, through the swampy west side near Chautauqua had no standing water. It looked damp.. but no mud and no water outside the sedge-lined swamp. Along the Main SW trail, discrete patches of Carex hystericina sedge were growing where the canopy opened for a patch of light. Southeastward, the Polygonum was growing in a more expansive stand.

By the NW Pond, I disturbed a young Great Blue Heron that flew noisily east in the main pond and then up into a tree, as I passed by. Despite the heat of the past few weeks, the pond was well-filled. Libellulid dragonfly and Coenagrionid damselfly.

On the laden Viburnum, a full crop of fruit were still green.

The East Pond was only half filled.
Despite the heat; there was enough rain in July to keep good water in the ponds; and have fresh Auricularia wood ear fungi growing at the base of trees.

Lots of spider webs all through the Woods, mostly Micrathena gracilis.. but there were other, maybe Linypheiids?

I was surprised to see the wash full and gently flowing at Elm Bridge and at Island Crossing. At Island Crossing there was a school of minnows (Gambusia?).

Not much blooming in the Woods. The Elephantopus is growing up and filling in along the trail but no flowers.

With good soil water, plenty of light and heat, and leaves still in good condition; this may be near the peak of total daily photosynthesis for the Woods. I think the life of the Woods now is going to be even more nocturnal than usual. More foraging by moonlight or starlight.

 Just east of the Big Tree #200 a very large pecan has tilted and fallen.

Walking out of the Woods along the south boundary, I hear a 'clucking' sound like a scolding squirrel.. followed by a cry like an immature crow.. confusing. I did not recognize until I saw a domestic hen running along ahead of me from the trash station heading west. Never seen that in the Woods before!