I did two nights of camping earlier this week. The weather was warm but windy. Considerably better weather than some trips I've gone on this time of year.
Scuppernong Prairie at sunset. The Scuppernong prairie is the largest wet prairie east of the Mississippi River, but this particular part of the prairie is actually known as a "sand prairie" because it's dry and sandy. In fact, this area was once a native american campsite, used because of its dry ground and close proximity to fresh spring water. I've heard that arrowheads have been found here on more than one occasion.
The spring water flows into and starts the Scuppernong River.
This time of year, snakes can be frequently seen. After cool nights, they warm up in the warm sun. I saw 8 snakes of three different species. Sadly, I also found four dead snakes on a roadway. They warm up on the road and don't stand a chance.
Garter snakes are the most common snakes in the area, or at least the most commonly seen.
I had been really hoping to find a Red-bellied snake. I've caught them for photos here in the past, but they're hard to find. They'll sit right on the trail, but they're so tiny that it's hard to see them, even if they move. Sometimes they won't move and it's nearly impossible to see them with all the leaves and sticks on the ground this time of year. I saw three during my time there. All were roughly 5" long. I've seen them as small as 2" and as large as 8", and they can only get as long as 10". As you can see, the red-bellied snakes have red or orange bellies. Such a cool tiny snake specie that most people don't know about, and if you see it in the wild, you'd have no idea how colorful it is unless you pick it up.
"Habitats include boreal forests, sphagnum bogs, and northern and southern hardwood forests and adjacent fields. Red-bellied snakes eat slugs, earthworms and beetle larvae. This species is often seen in large numbers on warm sunny days in September or October basking on back roads and bicycle trails."
The third specie of snake I saw was a Dekay's Brown snake. I've only seen this specie once before, and not in this area, so now I know this specie exists in the Scuppernong Prairie. This is another small specie of snake, only getting as long as 8 to 15 inches. This one was probably around 8 inches. This snake was found in State Natural Area 128, also known as Ottawa Lake Fen.
Ottawa Lake Fen is a habitat within a habitat.
"An unusually large number of wetland and aquatic plant communities occur within the site including submergent and emergent aquatics, southern sedge meadow, and shrub carr. The extensive fen-like marl flats are dominated by spike rushes along with pitcher plants and gentians. The natural area is also rich in animal life including amphibians, reptiles, clams, and snails. Wading birds and waterfowl frequent the shallows. Birds include green heron, blue-winged warbler, yellow warbler, and willow flycatcher."
The fen's surrounding area has been recently cleared of invasive buckthorn to reveal an amazing open-woodland with a spring-fed stream flowing through it. Unfortunately, it's already becoming clear that buckthorn is continuing to regrow and will likely ruin the progress made in just a few years if not taken care of. It's unlikely that buckthorn will ever be completely removed. It spreads with the help of birds who eat the berries. The northwest side of the fen has many tamarack trees, which aren't commonly seen this far south in Wisconsin.
Two tenting campsites have a great view of part of the fen, including the small lake within it.
Lastly is this Common Buckeye. Less common in Wisconsin than other parts of the country, but not uncommon, either. I'm not sure we have any other butterfly specie that has more colors than this. Red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, pink, brown, and black. Not to mention, various shades of said colors. Mother nature is the best artist.
