Local Degeneration
Charles Allen Haynes
September 21, 2022
Constitution Lake is in Dekalb County Georgia. When we first visited, years ago, it was interesting but a mess; trash everywhere, weird looking water and it was difficult to get around in. After a while, due to the dedicated efforts of people like Dave Butler it improved; boardwalks were built, the water quality seemed to improve and the range of what could be seen in the overall area increased. Now the boardwalks are in disrepair, there is a horrendous junk collection that lines some of the pathways, no trash cans… has a feeling of neglect.
Nevertheless, on any given day its possible to see some good stuff. Joy, Ken, Franca and I went over on last Sunday. We rambled, talked, had a good time. Along the way we met Shannon Byrne, nature photographer, rejoicing as we were in just being out in it. I only had my iPhone with me as a camera so she photographed the Least Skipper we happened on to, nice image. We look forward to seeing her again.
Addendum: Almost all of the characteristics of this plant in the first row below indicate it must be Murdannia keisak - Marsh Dewflower. However, that plant has 3 petals typically. I would think this is one of those 4-leaf clover situations when a 4 leaf version shows up occasionally in clover. But every flower I could find at Constitution Lake had 4 petals…. looks like the photograph and hardly malformed. Need to go back and make sure. If it is M. keisak it is invasive from Asia.
