Nature Connection: Slow Down And Please Be Kind

Here comes July and with it all sorts of hubbub and stress. For humans there is more traffic, long lines, and heat and humidity, all of which cause frustration. 

For much of nature this is also a time of high stress. Little ones are striking out on their own just as our traffic and land use is at its peak. Landscapers, pool maintenance people, and tourists who are lost and confused all pose problems for wildlife. Add to those all the folks spraying poisons everywhere, and it’s a tough time to bring up babies. There is danger around every corner and on every lawn.

If you’re out and about at all, you know this is a time for caterpillars, ducklings and baby bunnies. It’s also the time for baby birds as well as young mammals such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes and mice. Add some tadpoles and scores of baby insects, and it’s a very busy place out there in nature right now. 

Turtles are in full egg-laying mode, though that will slow down soon. Fish are everywhere, sharks have returned and the seals born late last winter are growing up quickly. We don’t see a lot of the baby sea life, but it’s out there. Much of it, such as baby jellyfish and crabs, is only found in the plankton realm right now. This means they are small and free-floating, moving with the currents and tides until they grow large enough to either drop to the bottom or move about in the water columns.

Like many others, we have baby bunnies. As cute as they can be, they can also cause a lot of concern. Many will let a person or other animal walk right up to them. It’s one thing to let a human check them out, but it’s not a good strategy when a possible predator is in the area. I always remind myself that many baby birds and animals are meant to be food for others, especially other young birds and animals, but that doesn’t make it any easier to see.

Young raccoons are adorable unless they’re raiding the trash cans. Our cans are pretty protected, but the little raccoons can make plenty of racket trying to get into them. They knock down birdbaths, check out the birdfeeders, and most recently tore up a cardboard box, strewing the pieces everywhere. The box had held a flat of plants which they tossed about like beach toys.

Our yard is filled with young birds, most recently fledged. They are hungry and loud, and their parents are frantically trying to keep them fed. They are also trying to keep them alive. All day long they fend off would-be predators. They aren’t always successful, but the young quickly learn the ropes and become proficient at hiding as well as finding their own food. They could give the baby rabbits some lessons.

If you’re lucky enough to catch sight of young foxes or coyotes you may find them tumbling and mock fighting, chasing and tackling each other. This may look like fun and games, but it is serious business. All these skills eventually will be fine tuned into hunting skills, and their survival will depend on their ability to learn quickly and adjust to new situations.

Butterfly season is coming up. Mid July is often the peak of the butterfly season here on the Cape. We will still have butterflies all summer and into the early fall; all those caterpillars we are seeing will soon become butterflies. Like so many other young critters, many will become food for birds and other animals, which is why it is so important to not poison your trees, shrubs and flowers. Organic poisons are still poisons, and no matter what someone tries to tell you, you cannot kill mosquitoes and ticks without taking down all the other insects, arachnids, and arthropods as well. No poison is that targeted. There are many solutions that don’t involve poisons, so please educate yourself about this very serious subject as those that eat poisoned insects or rodents also die. This includes raptors, foxes, coyotes and many baby birds.

Learning to identify the common butterflies and dragonflies in our area is a fun way to spend some time outdoors. They’re beautiful, easy to see, and not at all dangerous. One still needs to be aware of poison ivy and ticks, but as someone who is out every day, I can assure you that that’s not really too difficult. If you need to wear repellent, though, please don’t apply it out in the field. Put it on at home or by the car. Also, if you plan to catch or handle any insects, make sure there is no repellent on your hands.

Monarchs and swallowtails are big, beautiful and easy to identify. There are lots of other species to get acquainted with, and one of my favorites is the question mark butterfly. For some reason these are attracted to my oriole feeder more than any other species. This is obviously not a true scientific sample, but in the last seven or eight years it has been true for me.

In the heat of last week I had one visit. I was reading in a chair near the feeder and the orioles and catbirds were sneaking in and out, keeping an eye on me. As long as I didn’t move much, they continued to feed and use the birdbath near the feeder.

The butterfly arrived when no birds were there, and I was able to get a few photos. As I sat back down in my chair I caught sight of the catbird that had been bathing. It flew up and snatched that butterfly faster than I could say “Boo.” Sigh.

It’s going to be a long, hot summer, so slow down, be kind, and enjoy this beautiful place we are lucky enough to call home. That goes for tourists as well as the wildlife.