Third shift

As a teen growing up in rural Ohio, I spent a lot of my time practicing the fine art of escapism. Following the examples of such classic writers as Patrick McManus and Bill Watterson, I would catapult my way through any open door as soon as I heard the rumor of forced labor – code name "chores." Unbeknownst to the adults and pseudo-adults (aka big-sisters) left behind, those explorations into the countryside ended up to be far more important to my future than trimming sidewalks, pulling weeds or mowing yards. With fishing rod in hand or the old surplus binoculars dangling from my neck and a soon-to-be burr-infested dog following, I'd meander about to see what I could find. Sometimes it would be some sort of weird, big-eyed caterpillar or a fish that wasn't quite a bluegill that forced me to visit the library to explore encyclopedias and field guides. Of course, there were also a few times that my jaunts led me to the local Rexall Drug Store to learn about chiggers and poison ivy…lessons that left me itching for knowledge. The library became something special; a world of words and pictures that held so many answers to the questions I was discovering. Without computers, I learned how to decipher Melvil Dewey's cataloging system and soon found that one discovery often led to more questions, a trait that became valuable during the investigative ventures of my future career. One evening, while exercising the privileges granted by my freshly printed driver's license, I was teasing smallmouth bass along Little Beaver Creek. It was well into the evening; the sun having dipped below the wooded hilltops and the dark shadows of night swiftly creeping into the valley. I was never one to fear the dark; to me, it was a new world with different creatures creeping from their hides. This was nature's third-shift and I was the night watchman. As I listened to a barred owl asking me "who cooks for you," my attention was caught by the moon-lit wake of a muskrat crossing the pool I'd been fishing. It looked a little too big…a beaver? Certainly possible; there were plenty in the watershed. That's when I saw the first of two ghosts haunting the edge of the woodlot. A shimmering glow seemed to flicker close to the ground then crept its way up a decaying tree. Nearby, a rotted trunk that I'd explored earlier joined the spectacle. "Foxfire," I murmured. I'd never seen it, but some past library excursion conjured the name as if that itself was the spell that brought it to life. Foxfire is created by a fungus that can grow on decaying trees and logs. It's believed by some that the glimmer attracts insects that might spread its spores to new, inhabitable areas. Another theory suggests that the eerie iridescence warns off animals that might eat it. As my eyes continued to adjust to the night's darkness, the dim glow began appearing haphazardly through the woodland nearest the creek. While the name foxfire offers the very essence of folklore; its enchanting synonym "fairy fire" beckons images of hidden elves dusting the woodlands with their magic for us to see until sunlight causes it to disappear. It was while I examined that phenomena that the second apparition materialized. Unlike the glowing foxfire, it was not stationary but drifted silently among the trees; its whitish hue polished by the rising moon as it drifted head-high among the maples, poplars and oaks. I walked slowly toward its flitting form and it landed almost obediently on a large beach tree's trunk. This was also a first encounter, but one that I already recognized. A hand-sized luna moth; not a ghostly white at all, but colored a softened shade of faded jade. The luna moth; also dubbed the moon moth, had kite-like tails that swelled its size and mystic manifestation. Its eye-spotted wings gave the appearance of looking back, even winking at me as it flexed its wings; an indecisive decision whether it should flee to an unproven safety. While fairly common, they're seldom seen because of the moth's nocturnal lifestyle and our human propensity to stay out of the forest at night. They're known to hatch from their cocoons generationally, often first arriving in April with others hatching ten weeks later. Three such appearances can mark an Ohio summer. As I packed up to head home, I found myself wanting to learn more about that night's performance of Fantasia and of what I'd witnessed. I'd eventually make my way back to the library, then college, then through life – and I will always treasure nightfall's mysteries of nature's third-shift. "We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are." ― Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes Along the Way The Division of Wildlife is accepting applications for public land controlled hunts until Thursday, July 31. These hunts provide special chances for people to pursue deer, waterfowl, doves, pheasants, and more on public lands during the 2025-26 season. The Division of Wildlife as well as the Division of Parks & Watercraft host controlled hunts on select areas around Ohio. Hunts for adults, youth, mobility impaired individuals, and mentors with apprentices are available. Species-specific hunts include deer, waterfowl, dove, ring-necked pheasant, squirrel, rabbit, and bobwhite quail. Firearm and archery hunts are available for some species. Hunters may apply for controlled hunts by completing the application process online using Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System, https://oh-web.s3licensing.com/Home, or via phone by calling 1-866-703-1928. There is a $5.50 service fee for the phone option. Each hunt requires payment of a non-refundable $3 application fee. Customers may apply for more than one hunt but can only apply to each hunt once per year. All applicants, youth and adult, are required to possess a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Youth hunters are required to be under the age of 18 at the time of the hunt to participate. Adults are required to be 18 years old or older at the time of the application. Those applying for deer hunts will also need a valid deer permit. Find more information at www.wildohio.gov on the controlled hunt page. You can also access it directly at: https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/hunting-resources/controlled-hunting-trapping. Step Outside • Today: 3-D Archery Match, mixed animal targets. Field and Stream Bowhunters; 11400 Allen Township 109, Findlay. Registration opens at 10 a.m. and includes a shotgun start. Contact: John Fenimore at 419-957-8764. • Aug. 03: Primitive Blackpowder Muzzle Loader Shoot, round ball only, 1 p.m. Black Swamp Muzzle Loaders Club, 8831 Township Rd. 19, McComb, OH 45858. Email: roadkill4u@hotmail.com • Aug. 03: Trap Shoot, 1 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. • Aug. 16: Bratwurst Sporting Clays Fun Shoot includes 100- bird round on the sporting clays course & bratwurst lunch. Cost is $70 per shooter. Tickets for prize drawing for each target broken. Registration starts at 8 am. Shotgun start 10:00 am. Sponsored by the Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club, 4146 Klopfenstein Rd. Bucyrus. Contact: Ruth Malpas, 419-562-6131, elkhorn@elkhornlakehuntclub.com. • Aug. 23: 3-D Archery Match, mixed animal targets. Field and Stream Bowhunters; 11400 Allen Township 109, Findlay. Registration opens at 10 a.m. Contact: John Fenimore at 419-957-8764. • Sept. 12-14: Ohio Women's Outdoor Adventure Weekend. This unique weekend is designed to introduce women to a wide variety of outdoor activities in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment. Participants—ages 16 and up—can try boating, fishing, shooting sports, nature programming, and much more. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Accommodations: Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center, Mount Sterling (Pickaway County). Cost: is $395 per person, based on double occupancy – includes lodging, four activity sessions, five meals, a t-shirt, transportation between venues, and evening activities. 100 spots available, early registration is encouraged. Registration OPEN NOW for first-time participants, and for past participants on Tuesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. For a complete listing of sessions and registration, visit ohiodnr.gov/owoa. • Sept. 19-21: Rendezvous on the Reserve, a unique living history encampment depicting the fur trade-era in the Indiana wilderness spanning the years of 1760-1840. This gathering will be held on the Blackford County Reservation of Myaamia Chief Francois Godfroy (4400 N. 800 E. - Montpelier, Indiana 47359) who chose this site in accordance with the terms of the 1818 Treaty of St. Marys. Enter the authentic encampment in the midst of life as it was more than 200 years ago. Demonstrations on muzzle-loader shooting, archery, and tomahawk & knife throwing. Visit: rendezvousonthereserve.weebly.com. Jim Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.