The process of becoming a naturalist seems to come naturally to kids. Somewhere in the minds of small children, there is an inherent curiosity regarding animals.
It doesn’t seem to matter if the animals are horses and cows, dogs and cats or frogs and rabbits. Kids just like animals and are the purest and most resplendent practitioners of “biophilia,” (e.g., the urge to affiliate with other forms of life).
To this day, I am amazed at how many of my high school students will ask if we can watch “Finding Nemo” during class.
In their minds, the story is first and foremost about animals. The fact that it is a wonderful story only adds to its appeal and, in my opinion, creates an important bridge between the natural world and the increasingly unnatural world of human beings.
Children who learn to love animals in stories may have an easier time of growing up to love animals in the real world — and that can only be a good thing.
The problem for many young naturalists is that even the “friendly” animals have a fairly healthy respect for humans. I have worked long and hard to establish an environment of trust at my own home, and I have a long way to go before a deer walks up to me and licks my ear while I’m sitting in a chair and reading.
Chipmunks, especially young ones, are quite easy to form relationships with, but that requires a neighborhood (or at least a yard) free of cats and dogs.
Chickadees and titmice will be more than willing to approach a human being, but the formation of a relationship will generally require food for the birds, and the lack of the aforementioned domestic predators. Seems a bit daunting, perhaps, but there is an alternative.
If we place our bias for vertebrates aside, it should quickly become apparent that the world of insects has a great deal to offer. Almost any kid is capable of capturing a firefly and keeping it in a jar for an evening. Any kid can fill a jelly jar with sand and start an ant colony. And, almost any kid interested in butterflies should be able to cross paths with a beautiful little species called the pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos).
The characteristics that make this butterfly a true gem for the beginning naturalist are threefold.
First, the species is found throughout New England. Second, the species prefers habitats that humans have a tendency to engineer, including pastures, roadsides, vacant lots, lawns, orchards, fields and even gardens — all favorites of the pearl crescent. Third, and perhaps most important, is the fact that this species breeds throughout the warm seasons of the year, making it an ever-present citizen of the landscape.
Many species of butterflies only fly for very short and very specific periods, making them difficult to find.
The pearl crescent is about 1½ inches from the tip of one wing to the other.
If you allow your lawn to grow a little longer than usual, either on purpose or because you’re away on vacation, the flowers that emerge will no doubt attract the attention of any pearl crescents that may be around.
Species like white clover, birdsfoot trefoil and chickweed might be seen by humans as weeds, but to the pearl crescent they are pure ambrosia.
Male pearl crescents will constantly be on the lookout for females and they will chase each other around with great speed and energy. If a female appears, she will be chased as well.
If a young naturalist-in-training finds one of these little creatures, there may be much fun in watching the butterflies fight and bicker amongst themselves as they move from one flower to another.
Even better, the fledgling naturalist will want to know what the flowers are called, where the females lay their eggs and what happens to them in the winter. As soon as questions like that come up, you’re on your way to having a naturalist in your home.
Bill Danielson has worked for the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and the Massachusetts State Parks. He has been a professional writer and nature photographer for 19 years and he also teaches high school biology and physics. Visit: www.speakingofnature.com for more information, or go to Speaking of Nature on Facebook.