Last summer I was hiking in the Rainbow Lakes Wilderness area and happened across this interesting plant - common name "Indian Pipe".  It is a plant that cannot get its nutrients through photosynthesis.  Where does it feed? 

The answer is an interesting story about the interconnectedness of the plant world.  A needs B needs C.  Please read the explanation provided by Indiana University Research and Teaching Preserve

Parasitic Plants

Parasitic plants are an unusual and interesting group of plants. They are defined as parasitic because they are unable to make their own chlorophyll and thus rely on other organisms for nutrients. In order to obtain these nutrients, they tap into the roots of other organisms (e.g. fungi or other plants) and siphon off nutrients for their own growth. They are also relatively easy to spot on a visit to the forest because most of the plant is white in color, due to the lack of chlorophyll. There are five common parasitic plants to watch for when visiting the IU preserve:

Indian Pipe – Monotropa uniflora
Indian pipe is an easily recognized parasitic plant. It is white with small drooping flowers and tiny leaves. It grows to be around 4 inches in height. Indian pipe can be seen between June and September and is typically found in soils rich in organic matter. Indian pipe roots tap into the roots of a fungus, and steal the nutrients for their own growth. But, the fungus is taking its nutrients from the root of a tree. Thus, this interaction between three species is referred to as a mycorrhizal relationship. In order for the Indian pipe to obtain nutrients, it requires both the tree and the fungus. The base of dead trees and tree stumps is a good place to look for Indiana Pipe.

To learn about the other four parasitic plants:
http://www.indiana.edu/~preserve/flora/rare/parasitic.html

Photo provided by Brian Schlie

Can you recall a moment like this in your personal history?  I fished a lot with my family as a child.  I recall untangling fishing line with my dad and him being patient but not terribly happy about it.  I remember many campfires and picnics while we fished on our farm.  I recall one time when I and my brother fished on a very hot day while my parents cultivated the corn on the tractor.  It was so hot that all the catfish were in one spot under a great shade tree.  We caught so many fish that day!

A gathering of loons on Lake Everett

 

Loons on Lake Everett, by Jim Dennis

If you look close, you will see seven Loons in the lake. A rare sighting. They sounded their unique call and spread out across the lake. Taken early morning on July 9th.

Streamlined and efficient underwater swimmers, loons can quickly move in on small fish, crabs and invertebrates, usually swallowing them while still submerged. Most dives are shallow and last less than a minute, but deep dives may last up to five minutes. Loons are adapted to life on the water; their legs are located so far back on their bodies that they are one of the few birds that cannot walk on land. Instead they must crawl or push their bodies onto land or into their nests.

The loon call, described as a maniacal musical laugh, a falsetto wail, a yodel and a tremolo, is commonly heard during the breeding season. Loons are mostly quiet during the winter in Florida, though they occasionally call in late morning or early evening just before spring migration.