The other night while checking our moth lights Susan found a rather friendly skunk, first in the garden, then on the deck. This brought back memories of conducting late summer field trips for the Michigan Audubon Society and the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory called “Botany, bugs and beasts.” This field trip was a fun two days in Chippewa County that centered on interesting plants and animals.
The purple fringed orchid was always a favorite on the trip, as were carnivorous plants (pitcher plant and two different sundews). Another unexpected highlight for participants was least chipmunk.
At one time these little mammals were quite common at Whitefish Point, and much of Chippewa County. As the number of pine martens increases in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan numbers of these chipmunks dropped dramatically. People are now excited to see this once common mammal.
Thinking about these field trips which included insects made me think about teaching entomology.
Entomology was the final course that I taught for Eastern Michigan University, after 23 years as part of the Biology Department. I had wanted to end my career, retiring the month after the class ended with a course that was pure pleasure with little stress – and it didn’t disappoint.
The class consisted of six undergrads and three grad students who got to live entomology at EMUs field station at Fish Lake, Lapeer County, Michigan. The students worked from 8AM until 5PM (and much later at the moth lights, sometimes until 2AM). We collected together sometimes, worked in the lab together and had our meals together. What a great way to end a long teaching career.
Another aspect of insects and entomology that has an interesting relationship to my relationship with Susan is the 17-year cicada (Brood-X cicadas). We anticipated, ultimately enjoying their emergence in 1987, the year that we were married.
Now, in 2021 we once again had the opportunity to enjoy their emergence, our third cicadaversary! Along with the cicadas this year we enjoyed a Washtenaw County, Michigan county record bird, a Mississippi Kite. This bird spent weeks feeding on cicadas. Perhaps more on rare bird later. But for now, this is a good place to stop.
Michael's Place 