We were sorry to see our large sugar maple lose a second main branch. The sight above greeted us when we returned from the long Labor Day weekend at the cottage. A powerful storm struck here Saturday morning, blowing down an aspen and three dead elms in addition to my deer-skinning limb.
The big news, however, is the Argiope trifasciata, or banded garden spider. This is the first Argiope I've seen in Michigan. I was surveying the oaks, maples, and pines we got from the county and planted on the low ridge in front of the house when I happened upon this mated pair, looking something like Mr and Mrs Jack Spratt. It was an exciting discovery for me; all Alison wanted to know was, "Where are they?" That's a Dog-day Cicada they've put in storage.
So things--trees and cicadas--do indeed fall apart, but they come together too. To accompany Jenny Lynn and Chuck in the front yard, we planted Jerry and Carol on the east side of the house. Jerry is the tall red oak, and Carol is the shorter, somewhat truncated pin oak. They'll both be producing autumn colors, acorns, and shade soon.
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