Joann Merritt's Essays

I Wonder...
October, 1991

In the introduction to a National Geographic book, John Hay quotes the British naturalist Miriam Rothschild as saying “The naturalist wonders with an inquiring eye. For those with such interest life can never be long enough.”

As a Midland Naturalist I wonder….about birds, butterflies and native plants of this county. I know that life as a Midnat can never be long enough for me. Sibley Learning Center’s programs serve as a Headstart Program for students who are interested in nature - what a wonderful opportunity for them!

I wonder; Could I possibly find 150 species of birds in a year without leaving the area around our house? This would include The Pits and Mulberry Lakes where we frequently walk. My wondering ceased on October 21 when Pine Siskins investigated a patch of sunflowers. Friday I added the Brown Creeper and Gray Catbird who briefly visited in our yard and Sunday morning 50 Franklin’s Gulls and 9 Cormorants flew over us as we walked toward The Pits. On May 8th a Chestnut-sided Warbler was a lifer for me, but the spoil-sport quickly flew away. A male American Redstart was more cooperative, he performed all day constantly flitting his tail, spreading or drooping his wings, turning his head and flying out to catch bugs. I observed twelve species of warblers including the Northern Waterthrush and Ovenbird. It was a good year for vireos with two Red-eyed, several Solitary and one Warbling Vireo who was singing in his finest spring voice. Our regular July visitor, the Carolina Wren, didn’t disappoint us. Probably the most unexpected bird was a Chestnut-sided Warbler at The Pits. I wonder…Do you suppose next year I could find 150 species at our house and The Pits without including Mulberry Lakes?

I wonder…The wind is blowing and the sun is hiding behind the clouds, probably not a good day for butterflies but I’ll check on them. Fifteen species of butterflies including Marine Blue, Mexican Sulphur and Beon Hairstreak are wind-dancing as they attempt to nectar on the asters who are doing their own version of the dance. My inquiring eye stays busy trying to find a new butterfly to add to the 35 species I have found here during October.

I wonder…Will I ever learn to identify the native grasses? Yes, if Burr doesn’t run out of patience. Some of the grasses are as beautiful as flowers. One species of grass creates a purple haze (no, not purple three-awn). Before rains filled The Pits a tall sprangletop grass growing there resembled wheat growing in the fields of Oklahoma.

I wonder…Am I at risk of sounding like a World Series Sports announcer giving statistics like “Fans, this sets a new strikeout record for a pitcher during a game when the moon is full and there’s no clouds in the sky?” Oops, make that a left-handed pitcher!

My interest, curiosity and inquiring eye have enabled me to gain enough knowledge to help with some worthwhile projects such as the TBAAP, Sibley Center’s programs and keeping records of birds for a new checklist. We’re now keeping butterfly records for the county. Some things like our native plant show and various lists are mostly for fun, or just because I wonder…