Exploring underfoot - Capitol State Forest, first site

I'm not sure I'll be going back to Capitol state forest. There was way too much target shooting to do basically anything else. I got driven away from my first observation site by someone who pulled up very close and started shooting. I went to a different site in an area with signs posted indicating no shooting, and had JUST gotten out of my car before someone pulled up and started shooting. I have decided I do not approve of this sport.

The first site was in a small patch of mature forest with very deep leaf litter. I took a look at a bit right by the turnout - a few feet from the car. The diversity and density of life in the few square inches I contemplated was so great that I almost don't regret the day -- almost.

My favorite sighting was a tiny spider eating a globular springtail. I was sad to see one of my favorite taxa having met its end, but I also find it strangely pleasing to see them... let's say "participating in the food web."

Posted on October 31, 2022 07:06 AM by wildnettle