Fall's Brilliant Colors

Each fall a new batch of children learn about the amazing abilities of Jack Frost and his paint brush turning the lush green leaves of summer into the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges of fall. I know because my own children of three and five have been inquiring about this magical transformation.

Being a good biologist quickly led to a stack of books and pamphlets about the process. After all, we don't want to mislead our children. As I honed my knowledge once again, I imagined the conversation going something like this.

"The first thing to understand, kids, is that leaves are not only green but also have other colors in them."

"But I don't see any other colors, Daddy."

"They're hidden by the green."

"Can we wash the green off and see the other colors?"

"It doesn't work that way. We have to wait for the cool weather."

"Let's get back to the leaf. Three leaf colors are produced by pigments: chlorophyll which makes green, xanthophyll makes yellow, and carotene gives leaves an orange or red color. For example, carrots have a lot of carotene in them; that is why they are orange."

"Are they brother and sister?"

"What do you mean?"

"They both have the last name "Phil."

"Well, they are related in that they are pigments."

"Who's their mommy and daddy?"

"Colors don't have mommies or daddies."

"Then what makes them?"

"The leaves create the pigments. The different color pigments absorb sunlight energy and let the leaves make sugars for energy. Then the trees use the energy to help them grow."

"Will the sun help me grow?"

"No, you get your energy from the food you eat. For example, when you eat carrots you use the energy the carrot stored from the sun."

The conversation continues but quickly degraded into an idea of green body painting to capture sunlight in order to grow quicker.

Sitting back, it is amazing how such a simple thing such as fall colors opens the doors wide to all the wonderful and amazing actions which take place in nature. On the other hand, we sometimes get too caught up in the complexities and forget the childhood wonder of leaves changing color, caterpillars changing to butterflies, or gray tree frogs catching insects.

Next time, I think I will stick with the Jack Frost story. But then again, the following question would probably be:

"Daddy, where does Jack Frost buy all the paint he uses?"
 

Wagner Falls Scenic Site Recognition: Legally Dedicated Natural Area Size: 23 acres Location: Just east of Munising Management: MDNR Parks & Recreation Bureau Activities: Walking, photography, scenic site Importance: The Wagner Creek cascades over rock ledges in this area before emptying into the Anna River, creating a beautiful scenic spot. The ledges and waterfalls that occur in this area, and throughout this region, are due to its underlying geology: a hard, resistant cap rock (siliceous dolomite) that overlays a more easily eroded sandstone. This is an outstanding scenic spot during the color season.

 
Frog and Toad Survey Celebrates 5th Year!

The year 2000 marks our 5^th year of collecting data on Michigan's frog and toad populations. Please give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done! In 1996, a statewide system of permanent survey routes was initiated. Each route consists of ten wetland sites that are visited three times annually - in early spring, late spring, and summer - by a volunteer observer. At each site, the observer will identify the species present on the basis of their breeding season calls or songs, and make a simple estimate of abundance for each species. Over the years, the Michigan Frog and Toad Survey will provide a wealth of information on the status of Michigan frog and toad populations, and help monitor the quality of our environment.

Eight training workshops will be scheduled around the state to update current volunteers on survey protocols and biology and to also reward those dedicated volunteers. New recruits are always being sought as well. Workshops will include live animal displays so you can see those noisemakers face-to-face. More information will be available later this fall. If you are not a current volunteer but are interested in attending a workshop, contact Lori Sargent at DNR Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30180, Lansing, MI 48909 or (517) 373-9418 (FAX: 517-373-6705) or e-mail SargenL2@state.mi.us.
 

 
Whooping Cranes Visit Michigan

No, your eyes are not mistaken. If you have recently traveled near the Sandusky, Michigan, area you may have spotted two large white birds foraging in a cut wheat field or wading in the wetlands of the Michigan Peat Company; a Company that produces peat products for gardening and landscaping.

Although not observed in Michigan in over 100 years, two five-foot tall whooping cranes found a comfortable place to call home in the Thumb area of Michigan during the summer of 2000. The birds located themselves in an area that has not been mined for peat in over 20 years and was left to re-vegetate on its own. These two birds are part of a population that was experimentally reintroduced in Florida beginning in 1993. The Florida population is an attempt to establish a third wild population of whooping cranes in the United States and was originally considered a non-migratory population.

The primary wild population can be found wintering in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas and breeding in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. Both birds traveling to Michigan were captive reared at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. Why the birds chose to head to Michigan is a mystery; however, biologists speculate that their migration may have been prompted by drought conditions in Florida. The Michigan whoopers are a pair; however, it is unclear whether they attempted to breed this year. Each bird is four years old, an age most whooping cranes reach breeding maturity. Researchers are eager to see if the birds will return to Florida and are curious about the prospects of a return to Michigan in future years. For more information on cranes, check out the following web site: http://www.savingcranes.org/.

Kelly F. Millenbah
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University
 

 
Creature Profile

Five-Lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus)

Lizards in Michigan! Believe it or not, Michigan has two resident species of lizards. They represent an interesting part of our native Michigan fauna. The five-lined skink is the most abundant, while the six-lined race runner is known only from a small area in the Thumb area of Michigan.

The most common of the two species is the five-lined skink. This species of skink is known from most Lower Peninsula counties and has also been reported in the mid-section of the Upper Peninsula. They can be locally abundant in good habitat, but many Michigan residents go years without encountering one. They are named for the five cream or yellow-toned stripes running from their nose down through the tail. Another interesting characteristic is the bluish color in the tails of juveniles. Female adults often retain some of this blue throughout their life. Tails on mature males will turn a gray color.

Skinks are most likely to be encountered in wooded or partially wooded habitat. One important component is basking areas where the lizards can sit to increase their body temperatures. Favorite basking areas include stumps, logs, rocks, or outcroppings. Moist habitat areas are preferred.

Because they are cold-blooded, skinks are most active from May to about October. During this period, they will hunt many types of invertebrates including crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, centipedes, and beetle larvae.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the skink is its predator escape system. When a predator grabs a skink by the tail, it will break off. The tail continues to wiggle after being disconnected and distracts the predator until the skink can escape. The skink later regrows a new tail.

Skinks pose no negative impacts for humans and are beneficial in eating insect pests. Working to manage woodlands and provide the forest edges and sunning spots needed by skinks is the best way to ensure their survival.
 

Mixed Forest Natural Area & Northshore Natural Area Recognition: Legally Dedicated Natural Areas Size: 968 acres & 817 acres Location: Bois Blanc Island Management: Mackinaw State Forest Activities: Hiking, cross-country skiing, photography, hunting, non-motorized fishing, bird watching Importance: Consist largely of upland hardwood forest with moderate-size white birch and sugar maple, which will develop into an excellent mature forest stand, given time. Provide habitat for several species of special concern, including the dwarf lake iris, bald eagle, and a population of Douglas's hawthorn that is disjunct from populations in the western U.S. The Northshore Natural Area also contains some fine areas of large, old growth hemlock and white pine and has a beautiful natural strip of Great Lakes shoreline, with a variety of shoreline types.

Natural Heritage Patches
The Natural Heritage Unit recently issued the 25th patch in the Living Resources series. In 1975, the first patch issued depicted a Kirtland's warbler feeding chicks. The program was initiated to raise funds for work on threatened and endangered species and nongame animals. During its early years, the Living Resources Program provided some of the first Departmental grants for research and management of nongame species. This program preceded the Nongame Income Tax checkoff by ten years. Over the years, patches have depicted a variety of species and one system (wetlands) as important to Michigan's natural heritage. A number of people have contacted the Heritage Unit over the years and indicated support for maintaining this program. Modern technology has allowed easier production of patches and allowed the Program to keep the cost low enough to allow even young people to show their support through purchase of Living Resources patches. Patch costs are $5.00 each.	Patch History 1. Kirtland's Warbler 1975 2. Calypso Orchid 1976-77 3. Barn Owl 1977-78 4. Osprey 1978-79 5. Wetlands 1979-80 6. Badger 1980-81 7. Bald Eagle 1981-82 8. Great Blue Heron 1982-83 9. Common Loon 1983-84 10.Gray Wolf 1984-85 11. Piping Plover 1985-86 12. Eastern Bluebird 1986-87 13. Peregrine Falcon 1987-88 14. Pine Marten 1988-89 15. Sandhill Crane 1989-90 16. Trumpeter Swan 1990-91 17. Gray Wolf (second design) 1991-92       Gray Wolf (re-issued) 1992-93 18. American Redstart 1993-94 19. Western Chorus Frog 1994-95 20. Spotted Turtle 1995-96 21. American Bittern 1996-97 22. Indiana Bat 1997-98 23. Dwarf Lake Iris 1998-99 24. Green Darner 1999-2000 Other Patches: 1. Kirtland's Warbler

 
NEST Grants

The growing interest in environmental education has many educators interested in incorporating outdoor laboratory and learning sessions into their curriculum. Yet, many schools do not have easy access to sites that provide the necessary habitat or facilities for this learning to occur. Nature Education Sites for Tomorrow (NEST) is a program focused on providing funding, technical expertise, and training in developing and using nature education sites at Michigan's schools. It is funded by the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund.

The NEST program is a coalition of organizations interested in contributing assistance to completing outdoor education sites at schools throughout Michigan. The coalition members include the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, National Wildlife Federation, Ingham Soil Conservation District, Michigan State University Extension, and Project WILD.

If you are an educator interested in applying for a NEST grant, you can contact: Raymond Rustem at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, 517-373-2457, email-Rustemr@dnr.state.mi.us or look for the application on the DNR web site.
 

 
Bits & Pieces

• Two men recently pled guilty to taking lake sturgeon. The sturgeon is currently listed as a threatened species and has strict guidelines governing its taking. They paid a total of $3,950 in fines and restitution and had their fishing privileges revoked for several years.
   
• A new manual, "Integrated Pest Management for Nuisance Exotics in Michigan Inland Lakes," is available from the Office of the Great Lakes.
   
• The Wildlife Division's efforts to restore osprey populations in southern Michigan received some welcome news. An adult osprey, which spent the summer at Kensington Metro Park, was identified as one of the birds released three years ago from the site. With luck, the bird will attract a mate and nest near the release area.
   
• Wolf Killing
  Recently, an adult gray wolf was shot and killed in the eastern Upper Peninsula, between Pickford and Rudyard. A $1,500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this killing. Report your information to the DNR Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800. Gray wolves receive full protection under the state and federal endangered species laws.