Mark Fraser is the host and executive producer of "Nature Walks with Mark Fraser"

Lately, I have been paying close attention to the details of the many species of Dragonfly that can be seen swarming on these long hot summer nights.

They seem to be having a population boom as of late. I assume with the longer hotter weather lately there is more food for them, so that makes allot of sense.

The more you look at these incredible insects the more fascinating they really are. Just imagine millions of years ago during the Carboniferous period the fossil records indicate there were species of Dragonfly as large as a Seagull with a wingspan of 2.5 feet!

Even today we see species that boast a very impressive size in fact, the largest of the species these days still has wingspans over 7 inches which for an insect is enormous in its own right.

They are among the fastest of all flying insects and some species like the Green Darner have been clocked at over 50 MPH!  Larger Dragonfly like the Darners actually live for several years and since they feed in the north country where the pending winter will mean no insect prey for them, they actually have evolved to migrate like birds traveling up to 80 miles in a day!

The smaller species live shorter life spans so migration is out of the question.

There are countless kinds of dragonfly with some of the most beautiful color patterns found in nature. A literal biological rainbow with species names like Yellow Winged Darter, Emperor, Downy Emerald, Common Hawker, Banded Pennant and one of my favorite Dragonfly names “Meadowhawk” as well as countless others.

These incredible insects start their lives in the water as a very effective aquatic hunter called a nymph. Complete with external jaws they much on everything they can find up to and including small fish! Then after in some cases up to the 3 years, they crawl from the water and molt their skin turning into the amazing species we know and enjoy.

In the North Country in early Spring, rings the dinner bell for a biting fly called the “Black fly”. Every hiker in May knows this species very well and dreads the pending swarms which are among the most antagonistic of all biting flies. Within a couple weeks of their arrival, as if timed to an ancient biological alarm clock the Dragonfly return feasting on these insects. In fact they are so efficient that within a short amount of time the reign of the Black fly is over as quick as it came.  The fact is that Dragonfly are a very important species that take up a niche within the ecosystem where us humans directly benefit.

So the next time your on a nature walk take the time to admire these spectacular examples of “Mother Nature’s” finest!

PS:The image on the right reminds me of a helicopter pilot hahaha.

Mark Fraser

http://www.naturewalkswithmark.org

Mark Fraser is the host and executive producer of "Nature Walks with Mark Fraser"

On a recent trip to begin production of a future film “Exploring the Depths of Lake Champlain” I decided to break up the dives based on several trips. These would be consistent with the different segments of the film including wildlife, native and non native “invasive” species, watershed habitats feeding the Lake, fossils, Shipwrecks and Geology.  For some of the geological dives I began to research, looking for anything that seemed to be interesting to capture on film. Calling a local dive shop I was in luck. I was told that there was something magical about 70ft deep beneath the glimmer at the water’s surface.

It was Pyrite also sometimes called “fools gold”. I was absolutely thrilled!  I never expected to find such an amazingly interesting geologic feature in the depths of the lake. The Dive team assembled and we chartered a boat in Willsboro Bay area of Lake Champlain.  We set up anchor against huge rock palisade that looked to be about 600ft high rising above the water. After our safety briefing with the boat’s captain and assembling our camera gear, it was time to make a splash. The water was amazingly shallow. I mean we could literally, stand up!  We were informed to swim north towards a small peninsula of rock sticking out into the water and from that point on the water was very deep just past that (about 150ft).  

So after a brief swim the team began the descent into the murky depths. Right away I notice that the water is amazingly “green” in fact this looked allot like diving off the coast of Gloucester Massachusetts something I have done countless times.  The green hue was due to a blue-green alga bloom brought on by the recent heat wave in the area.  I could see fresh water clam species and within a few ft began to notice tens of thousands of invasive Zebra mussels that cover every inch of the waters rocky edge. Traveling down deeper, noticing occasional crags within the rock wall where some smaller species of fish quickly hid before I could identify them. Drifting further, lights a blaze on this under water cliff that I was slowly sinking beside was a strange feeling. Like falling but in slow motion. In time, at about 65ft the green algae suddenly and abruptly stopped giving way to a blackness that covered everything so completely only the light from my dive light and the more powerful lights of the camera team allowed for any visibility.

Another 10 ft down, we began to search in earnest. It took a long time to find what we were looking for, and our air was running seriously low, when suddenly the black rock of the underwater cliffs edge gave way to this massive chevron shaped white quartz! It was breathtaking. The quartz wall appeared to be About 10 ft high and about 15 ft wide and looked completely out of place against the otherwise dull colors of the rest of the cliff. I get close realizing that I must hurry with low air but I need a closer look as I notice a small shiny beam of light. I swim to it, and am amazed to find- its gold – gold Pyrite! There are tiny flakes mixed into the white quarts wall creating beautiful sparkles of light.  As I wave my dive lights, the light sparkles like the floor of a dance hall. For a moment I pause frozen at the beautiful world that I am now visiting but I must hurry. At this depth staying to long could be more then dangerous, it could be fatal.

Though I am amazed by the beauty before my eyes, I know must go, as I am only a visitor to this magical underwater world. As I begin to climb to the surface staring back to the depths, and the light slowly returns I can’t help but think that one day I will again return to my dance hall under the depths of Lake Champlain.

Mark Fraser

http://www.naturewalkswithmark.org

Mark Fraser is the host and executive producer of "Nature Walks with Mark Fraser"

During my life I have been fortunate enough to have had the ability to travel. Nothing crazy mind you, but certainly enough to greatly expand the areas where I could take some time to observe and study the local wildlife and fauna. I remember long ago being in Central America in the Panamanian jungle for a couple of months.  During that time, I had the honor of seeing so many species that make their home in the tropical double canopy jungle environment. I remember walking through a river almost neck deep in the water and the local crocodilian species of “Caiman” were sliding into the water from the banks. I had incorrectly thought that they never grew larger then 4ft in length… whoops hahahaha. The excitement of the moments of discovery and awe of the wild world enlightens the mind and charges the senses. When we are in a forest or jungle long enough our ears and eyes seem to spring to life and the sound of the wind in the trees is suddenly a dramatic and beautiful event.

When I speak with people from around the world about wildlife, I am always amazed that deep down “all” of us are just as fascinated. Even when I have met people that at first seem as if they don’t care, I find that they have simply become so busy day to day that they have forgotten the joy of wonder and discovery found in nature. Within minutes of sharing a film and talking about a wild moment I see in their faces that deep down they care also and are really just as fascinated as the rest of us. You see, nature really does bind us all around the planet. It has “always” been a part of our lives and “always” will be. When humans first began to speak you can bet those early people were making sounds to mimic birds and animals. Probably allot better then I can do (not from lack of trying) .

Taking the time to teach our children about local wildlife is absolutely paramount towards the future health of the entire world. Remember, our children will grow up and make the decisions about how we use our future natural resources. From learning about the species of fish in a local brook to learning about the backyard birds at the feeder and everything in between it will ensure an admiration that will often blossom into real heartfelt conservation. It works no matter where you are from; remember admiration for wildlife is a wild bond we each share. We just need to take the time to do exactly that.

Mark Fraser

Mark Fraser is the host and executive producer of "Nature Walks with Mark Fraser"

The art of exploration isn’t gone as a matter of fact, it’s alive and well. The trick is simply being curious then satisfying the feeling. Never let anyone tell you any different! There is so much to explore and learn about in the natural world that most people don’t even realize it. Here is an interesting test, the next time you walk through or even near a meadow, see if you can name all the plants you find- good luck.  Is that too tough, try just the wild flowers or perhaps stick with Trees. You will soon realize that there are so many species of life on the planet we share it is completely unimaginable. Did you know that no person on planet Earth can name all the species? Think about that, no PHD from any science could even come remotely close- It is literally impossible. Sure you could learn the Mammals of your own hometown, in most areas it’s a small number probably in the 50s or so and maybe even the native fish well at least maybe the inland freshwater species. Birds are tougher but insects… Just trying to do that in your own home region, is next to impossible. Getting to know the myriad of species is the secret sauce to life. You see when we know what lives all around us suddenly the world opens up and we realize we are sharing this world with so many others. Some of the complex systems of life are like miniature version of a little universe. Look at the Milkweed plant. On that one single type of plant there are Large Milkweed Bugs, Small milkweed bugs (two different species) there are Milkweed Aphids, Long horned Milkweed Beetles, Monarch Larva, Swamp Milkweed beetle and the list goes on. There is different species of Milkweed plants themselves. The complexity is stunning. Even Beavers have parasites that have evolved to live only on them!

So that’s just it, there is plenty to explore. Getting to know the natural world is the best way to begin to protect the wild species that live here. How do we know a species is in trouble, unless we take the time to admire and appreciate their world, our world?  It’s really easy and all starts with a hike or a swim and simply paying attention. When you find a species try to identify it. Learn about its call, its habitat and food source. The more you learn about them the more enlightened you will feel. You can start to memorize bird calls for example. With practice, as you listen to the birds singing you’ll find in time you can suddenly name species that you can’t even see.

It’s a long deep breath of fresh air when you look at the forest with open eyes & mind. Teaching ourselves to reconnect to the natural world brings about wonderful things. Perhaps in time, we can again learn to be stewards of the land, instead of just exploiting it…

Mark Fraser

Mark Fraser is the host and executive producer of "Nature Walks with Mark Fraser"

The massive Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico is quickly becoming the worst of its kind and soon to wreak havoc on the sensitive Louisianan coastline wetland habitats and species.  Pay close attention to the news reports, because you can bet special interest groups will start telling you “It’s not that bad” and that “it’s too soon to speculate”. Well let’s see, 5,000 barrels of Oil a day dumping into the Ocean – let’s face it, that’s terrible no matter how they try to spin it. This is another prime example of why fossil fuels should become just that, “fossils”, and scientists around the world should work vigorously in developing greener and renewable energy.

What about the wildlife?

Soon we will undoubtedly begin to see the heartbreaking images of countless species who pay the ultimate price for our hunger for fossil fuels. Marine and bird life covered in the viscous sticky oil will be in a dire life threatening situations and no doubt thousands will perish from this horrible man made disaster.

In the future we will be again be asking the questions “Why” and “How could this happen”?  Just like we did after the massive Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, and yet here we are yet again. Wetlands are some of the most important habitats there are. Many species use brackish water estuaries for a safe place to have their babies. Even people who do not seem to care about wildlife at all and only think of the business side of life still admit the economic implications of wiping out a massive fishery. Some time today (Friday April 30^th 2010) it’s believed that this slow moving massive slick will reach the coastline. The species that live in the region are in very big trouble. What will “their” world look like from below when the waters surface is covered in the thick black oily film?

Some day we will finally be free of this dependency on fossil fuels. I wonder what people in the future will think about the choices we made. What will they think about statements like “Drill baby drill?” Ironically in the past few weeks the current administration just approved more offshore rigs.

We need to make companies directly responsible for their actions and accountable for their mistakes. A multi million dollar fine for a company making billions does not cut it. We need change, “actual” change, not just someone telling us what we want to hear. Those animals out there don’t have a voice of their own unless you and I give them one, and as we are about to find out, they very much need one…

Mark Fraser

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Mark Fraser is the host and executive producer of "Nature Walks with Mark Fraser"

Atlantic Garbage Patch! The Pacific Garbage Patch! Let’s face it – we have a very serious world wide problem and its time we did something about it! The bottom line is we have a huge appetite for quick fix throw away plastic products. We call and order food for example, it comes in multiple single –use products from the plastic forks and knives to the packaging itself. Sure you could wash and re-use your plastic utensils and fast food cups and straws, do you? We really could just “stop” using them.

Our daily habits from each of our own households combine, and become the collective cause of what “we” are all inadvertently doing to the entire Ocean. I know we are not throwing things into the Ocean, at least we don’t think that we are.

Where exactly does that plastic shopping bag end up or that plastic spoon or plastic straw…. Well, sadly many products even when placed in a recycle bin still actually end up in land fills, or in the sea. Our recycling in the United States is so lacking that it’s actually less then 5%! In fact when you throw a plastic soda bottle into a bin to be recycled, the cap is removed and thrown away! How many soda bottle caps each day are used in the United States alone? Now imagine a year, now imagine where they end up…  Scary isn’t it, well in this case we “should” be concerned. Look at plastic bags, estimates above 300 billion shopping bags a year in the US alone bring the harsh reality close at hand. So the overwhelming majority, never get recycled. It becomes easy to see why we have a serious world wide problem when you think about the big picture. These plastics breakdown, from sun, and salt into tiny particles floating in the sea flowing with the current and inevitably coalescing in massive areas that are thousands of square miles in size that we call a “Garbage Patch”. It’s actually, far worse then a simple “patch” of plastic; it’s a deep field in some areas as much as 300ft and having the consistency of minestrone soup with tiny particles as small as plankton. More and more news reports are coming in about species of whales dying with bellies full of plastic. There are estimates in the hundreds of thousands of marine species that are dying from this plastic particle soup we created.

When we talk about stainless steel mugs, canvas bags, eating locally grown food please understand it’s not about a green fad, a cute trend to be a part of. It’s about something of global importance and “you” can help. If each house hold does their own part, then at least we can seriously slow down this epic problem. Life is about choices, and this is a choice that you must make. Please choose well.

Thanks for listening and we’ll talk again soon,

Mark Fraser

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