Critters and Places of Summer

It was a summer of amazing places and beautiful sights, close to home and far away. In Texas, my yard, mini-river, and pollinator garden were filled with life: mating monarchs and Gulf fritillaries, a diversity of caterpillars, a fawn, frog eggs, several nests, and damselfly and dragonfly eggs.

In Maine, I joined the Landscape of Change project as a citizen scientist. Several organizations are working with the community to compare changes in plant and animal populations over time on Mount Desert Island. For comparison, they are using old field logs kept by the the Champlain Society, a group of young men and women who spent their summers on MDI. I have noticed a change in the intertidal zone at our family cabin, and so I am curious to examine the results of this project, as well.

The fungi, lichen, and mosses captured my heart this year. It had been a wet spring and the woods seemed to be filled with these organisms at every turn. Using iNaturalist, I was able to learn about many new species.

fawn, white tailed deer

luna moth

monarch butterflies

Gulf frittilary butterflies

common sea star

yellow patches, Amanita

From the bay near our family cabin to Devil's sinkhole to Cypress Creek and Hunter's Beach, exploring the landscape filled my summer days - how lucky, how thankful I am for that time. There were quiet moments for reflection, and days filled with family activities. Being close to water brings me peace.

Union River Bay

Union River Bay

Devil's Sinkhole

Hunter's Beach

Hunter's Beach

Cypress Creek

I also spent time at two wonderful gardens. In San Antonio, I visited the botanical gardens several times. And in Maine, I returned to Thuya Garden, one of my absolute favorite places. On a chilly morning, the pollinators were slowly getting to work, and the flowers were hidden by fog.

I am working on an article about gardening with my mother in Maine. We created a wildflower garden that was inspired by our visits to Thuya. I am always amazed how places hold memories and capture the spirit of loved ones, even when they are no longer with us. When I meander beside the flower beds at Thuya, I feel as though my mother is walking with me.

artichoke