It is getting to be the time of year when Natural Resources duties become varied and interesting. With the arrival of drought season and the extreme heat that bears down on Iowa this time of year, mowing is no longer a weekly job. I mowed Monday and likely won’t mow again for a couple of weeks. With the mowing contractors in full swing, I can get my mowing done in a little over a half day. That leaves a partial day and another full day to do whatever Ranger Coty tasks us with. I like the variety and mystery of how each day may unfold.
At a big place like Saylorville about anything can and does happen. This past week Judy and I went over to the Butterfly gardens to water a couple of beds that were built after the sprinkler system was built and are just out if its reach. We were thrilled to discover a multitude of Monarch Caterpillars munching away on the dill growing in the gardens. Monarch Caterpillars are naturally attracted to dill. It made sense as we watched them and realized they are perfectly camouflaged in the dill weed. As we weeded some of the beds we squealed every time we came across a caterpillar or cocoon. After all, that is why the butterfly garden exists. The fruits of Judy’s dedicated labors were revealing themselves! I love working with her. Driving down the paths on the ATV is an ongoing lesson in Saylorville history. With 18 years of volunteering here under her belt, every nook and cranny of this place holds a memory for her, that she freely shares as we work around the lake.
Monarch Caterpillar on Dill
We have been busy power washing the bridges that traverse the creeks and ravines in 7 places along the 13 miles of the 26-mile-long Neal Smith bike trail that moves through Saylorville and is maintained by the Corps. Some days we trim branches that are encroaching the trail and roadsides, or low hanging branches that make mowing difficult. We have pulled old cattle fence and some days we weed eat, my least favorite job. Eventually we will be filling water bags placed around new trees to keep them properly hydrated as they establish themselves.
Yesterday, Judy and I were tasked with removing the sand left behind by flood waters from the picnic pads at Sandpiper Beach. The three 10x10 pads were covered in about 4” of sand. Picnic tables and nice canopies will be installed now that we have cleaned them off. As we shoveled and swept, we started watching a rather impressive shelf cloud begin to form just to the north of us. We worked a little faster and took a call from Coty, who was 8 miles south at the other end of the lake and also watching the sky. We promised to head back as soon as we were finished. Turns out Judy and I both like a good summer thunderstorm. We had both seen the forecast and knew that our 10% chance of rain was going to happen and that it would be short lived and strong but non-severe. I had my camera for once. We were making good progress getting back to the shop just ahead of the front line. I was taking pictures and we were enjoying the sudden 10-degree temperature drop and cool wind ahead of the storm. Life was good till the ATV we were driving began to overheat and we realized we were not going to make it back, not in that vehicle anyway. Coty had called to check on our progress getting back and we gave him the news. He drove the park truck out to fetch us from the trail and we limped the ATV to cover so it could cool down and make the rest of the trip back to the maintenance complex later. We finished our workday soaked to the skin and laughing.
Storm Clouds over Prairie Flower 
On the trail driving just ahead of the storm
The summer is passing quickly. We have our mid-summer Volunteer meeting next week to talk about departure dates, who is planning to return and sign up for our shifts manning the booth at the Iowa State Fair in August. It’s hard to believe that I’m already plotting our trip and stop overs for our trip to Mercedes Texas where we will winter this year. Who knows what the rest of the summer will bring? That’s the best part, everyday is truly and adventure.
Until Next Time…
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