 - E.O. Wilson, "The Future of Life" Introduction Back in August, Rob Carillio summoned us to join him later in the fall for an outing to a person's property who was interested in knowing what was swimming in the creek behind her house. He wasn't very specific with the details, however, I must say that we were all very pleased with the results. Additionally, they had planned other locations for us to travel to, so it became quite an action packed day. The Home of Dan and Michelle Vargo Friendly old dogs greet us as we pulled in the driveway, as good dogs will. We got out of our vehicles, gave some obligatory petting (thus immediately making new friends :) and made our way up to the house to meet Dan and Michelle Vargo. We all introduced ourselves and then discussed our plan of action. Michelle explained their interest in native fish, as they were both very interested in understanding as much as possible about the ecology of life on their property. As well, Dan wanted to set up a native fish aquarium in his classroom so others may learn about the local fauna. We wandered across their fantastic natural property back into a tree line to the stream. It was a tiny stream, a size I'd not ever bothered with, and quickly learned that was a total mistake on my part for not paying attention to true headwaters. Of course, this headwater was far more pristine than what I'm used to, as it had it's riparian "filter" completely in tact... But I've a new understanding that I should look everywhere :) We quickly viewed eleven species of fish and decided that we had maxed out most of our potential for the site without having to blaze a trail through a pile of multiflora rose. And so, the list for the Vargo Property is as follows: Headwater Stream List, Vargo Property, Fairfield Twp. Stoneroller - Campostoma anomalum White Sucker - Catostomus commersoni Red-side Dace - Clinostomus elongatus Fantail Darter - Etheostoma flabellare Johnny Darter - Etheostoma nigrum Green Sunfish - Lepomis cyanellus Southern Red-belly Dace - Phoxinus erythrogaster Bluntnose Minnow - Pimephales notatus Fathead Minnow - Pimephales promelas Blacknose Dace - Rhinichthys atratulus Creek Chub - Semolitus atromaculatus The Vargo Property Gallery
On our way out of the woodline, we met up with Jim Kerr who was another naturalist and friend of the Vargo's. Jim is one of the people responsible for the Natural Education Center at the Beaver Creek State Park and works in the local school system with Dan. We would later get an opportunity to see the Center. First tho, we ate a fantastic meal of tasty chili, salad and bread that Michelle served us :) Michelle also gave each of us a bottle of her homemade maple syrup her and Dan cultivate right on their property. Thanks again for all your hospitality Dan and Michelle! Elk Run, SR517 & Lower Elkton Rd. On we went to our next location. We pulled up along the beautiful roadside among ironweed, joe pye weed and other wet area indicating plants. We wandered down below the SR 517 bridge over Elk Run and were soon hollered to by Reverend and Mrs. Bartholomew from atop the bridge. This was a friendly sort of hollering as the Bartholomew's had given us permission to come to their property and survey. We were shortly met streamside by their son Phill, and he joined us for the rest of the survey on the property as he was excited to see what all had been swimming around on his home stompin' grounds. We viewed fifteen species at this location, which was still a pretty small stream. Of particular interest were the bluegill we'd captured. They were stunningly purple in color, and as was pointed out to us later via the email list by Sajjad Lateef, the phenotype had extremely large eyes. This was the first time, as well, that our new friends had ever viewed Rainbow Darters. I always love to get the share that experience with a person, as it is usually a mind blowing experience that something so beautiful lives in "that stream" :) The specimen list for Elk Run was as follows: Elk Run List Stoneroller - Campostoma anomalum White Sucker - Catostomus commersoni Mottled Sculpin - Cottus bairdi Spotfin Shiner - Cyprinella spiloptera (plentiful) Rainbow Darter - Etheostoma caeruleum Fantail Darter - Etheostoma flabellare Johnny Darter - Etheostoma nigrum Green Sunfish - Lepomis cyanellus Pumpkinseed Sunfish - Lepomis gibbosus Bluegill - Lepomis macrochirus (very purple!) Bluntnose Minnow - Pimephales notatus Fathead Minnow - Pimephales promelas Golden Shiner - Notemigonus crysoleucas Blacknose Dace - Rhinichthys atratulus Creek Chub - Semolitus atromaculatus Salamander sp. Bull Frog The Elk Run Gallery Elk Run was definately one of those streams that you could continue wandering and wondering what was around the next bend. However, we wanted to assure that we left time to view the Nature Center and spend some time exploring Beaver Creek, a larger area stream than the headwaters we had been sampling. Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek State Park Before viewing Jim's work at the Nature Center, we took some time to sample Beaver Creek and admire the surrounding hills and forests of Beaver Creek State Park. The change in habitat was quickly noted as we began running into a whole new group of species. The most notable came in the final moments. It was evident the group was getting tired, starting to trip around and such, but we made the decision to "hit those last couple rocks" and then pack it in. The payoff was two Variegate Darters, one which was an absolute monster and is featured in the gallery. Also of particular interest was the River Chub. What a neat animal. Mark saw it swim under a large rock in the main channel and somehow amazingly net it by himself. With that, the list for Beaver Creek is as follows: Rock Bass - Ambloplites rupestris Stoneroller - Campostoma anomalum Spotfin Shiner - Cyprinella spiloptera Rainbow Darter - Etheostoma caeruleum Fantail Darter - Etheostoma flabellare Greenside Darter - Etheostoma blennioides Variegate Darter - Etheostoma variatum (nice!) Banded Darter - Etheostoma zonale Hogsucker - Hypentelium nigricans Green Sunfish - Lepomis cyanellus Common Shiner - Luxcilus cornutus River Chub - Nocomis micropogon Rosyface Shiner - Notropis rubellus Stonecat - Noturus flavus Smallmouth Bass - Micropterus dolomieu Bluntnose Minnow - Pimephales notatus Water Scorpion Stonefly Larvae Hellagramite Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek State Park Gallery Evening was fast approaching and everyone had seen their fill. We then ventured up to the Nature Education Center and had Jim show us around. They had an amazing catalog of native diversity in the form of animal mounts made from creatures who'd suffered deaths by auto accident, power lines, etc and were being used to educate people about their existence. If you're ever in this area, I'd highly suggest stopping by and saying "hi". :) Well thanks for reading this far. Again, I would like to thank the Vargos, the Bartholomews and Mr. Kerr for sharing thier work and surroundings with us :) Before I stop, I'd like to give you the opportunity to read an inspiring editorial Rob Carillio composed after our journey. My Two Cents... I often share my appreciation of native fishes and habitats with others, when asked how I became so involved with appreciating thefishes. Initially, they often wonder what all the excitement is for, so I briefly discuss everything from the fishes' brilliant colors in the Springtime to the interesting behavior habits they demonstrate, as well as their significance in our world and daily lives. In addition, and probably most importantly, I share the EXPERIENCE of being out in the streams surrounded by lush green woodlands where the finest quality habitats are often found. Add to this some quality photos, and the reason for the excitement seems to come into perspective for them! As for me, the experience of being in the presence of such environments evokes a feeling of being connected with the world in which we live. It is in these places that one can learn just by watching, the interdependence in all life that surrounds us. Each piece of nature depends on another for it's existence. The age old example, is the large fish eating the small fish... the crayfish eats fallen leaves from branches overhanging a riverbank, etc... Unfortunately, we can often forget our connection in this chain of life, as the manufactured world we are used to seeing on a daily basis seems to distance itself further and further from it's roots of origin, the raw natural environment. Spending time in a stream observing thriving life both in water and on land, serves as reminder to me, how much a healthy natural world is essential in the quality of our lives. The essentials not for just the physical needs of clean water, air, and food, but for the spiritual uplift that it brings when one witnesses the wonder and striking beauty of the natural world. How is your mood affected when you witness the dazzling colors of autumn foliage high atop a valley overlook, or a cascading stream shimmering in sunlight along a rocky streambed and a crystal clear blue sky above??? I hope that as we continue to embark on our stream outings, we continue to photograph as much of this as possible so that we may share with others these inspiring experiences! Although even the best photos cannot re-capture the true full feeling of such moments as we spend near our rivers in our forests, it may give newcomers a sample of what awaits to be appreciated. Perhaps they too will join in and see what all the passion and excitement is all about among us fish heads! I hope the photos from our NANFA October, 2002 outing will generate a feeling from within, to want to offer our rivers and streams the attention and respect they deserve! - Rob Carillio Some Extras! If you haven't seen the little posters I made to hype the experience we had this day as a "pre-release", please check out: Please email tcrail@northshores.com if you have a need for any material presented here! |
