Hide and Seek

Overview of Dick Burrell
- Known for enjoying the outdoors and having friends in agency staff and sportsmen communities.
- Frequented Harry's Restaurant post-retirement where he was well-remembered by staff.

Reluctance Towards Medical Professionals
- Dick Burrell was not fond of physicians but underwent a mandatory physical examination at the behest of his partner, Joan.
Weight Issues
- Upon examination, it was revealed that he weighed over 400 pounds, which he was reluctant to accept, questioning the doctor's scale.
- Was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, facing the possibility of insulin injections, which he despised.
Response to Health Diagnosis
- Instead of medical intervention, he was advised to consult a dietician and work on losing weight.
- Dick successfully lost over 200 pounds through lifestyle changes, which included choosing lighter options such as sherbet after fishing tournaments.
Impact of Weight Loss
- Commented upon how if he had lost that weight during his working years, he might have continued participation in the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey.

Location
- Dick and Joan lived in Upton, Massachusetts, where Joan continued teaching for several years post-retirement.
Seasonal Migration
- Dick’s dislike for snow led them to vacation in Florida each winter, starting after Joan's retirement.
- They would fish during winter months, returning home in March until they found snow on the ground, prompting them to extend their stay until mid-April.
Friendship and Activities
- They developed friendships with other hunters during paraplegic hunts and enjoyed fishing together, contributing to social and recreational life.

Series of Health Conditions
- Dick faced several health challenges:
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - initial successful treatment.
- Knee Replacement - first attempt was unsuccessful but the second was successful.
- Blood Disease - emerged later, causing mobility challenges, yet he continued fishing with assistance.
Passing
- Dick Burrell died in late October 2015 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of friendliness and passion for fishing.
- It was humorously noted that he possibly could find good bass fishing in the afterlife, referred to as the "Happy Hunting Grounds."

H.W. Heusmann
- Has been the Waterfowl Project leader for MassWildlife since 1970.
- Focused on training new crews for airboat operations and goose chasing.

Basic Concept
- Hide and seek is a universally recognized game among children, but its origins are often lost in human history.
Underlying Purpose
- The game trains skills important for survival in adulthood, reflecting a natural drama where hiding and seeking serve life-or-death scenarios.
- In times of conflict, victims often find themselves engaged in a grim version of hide and seek.
Historical Context of Hunting
- Historically, hunters have sought after animals, while predatory animals have hunted humans on rare occasions.
- Modern circumstances mitigate the latter; however, unpredictability remains in the wild.

Survival Dynamics
- All ecosystems present a backdrop where prey establish hiding strategies while predators search.
- Example: In Massachusetts, numerous birds migrate and engage in hunting behaviours to feed their young, focusing on caterpillars as a primary food source.

Four Stages of Development
- Stages: Egg, Caterpillar (Larva), Pupa (Chrysalis), Adult.
- Nutritional value of caterpillars makes them a staple for various predators including songbirds, spiders, and other insects.

Physical Defenses
- Some caterpillars possess spines or irritating hairs to deter predators.
Chemical Defenses
- Some contain unpalatable or toxic substances with bright colors to signal danger.
Camouflage
- Many rely on coloration that blends with their environment, making them less active targets during daylight hours.
- Example: Nocturnal moths camouflage themselves against backgrounds like tree bark and foliage.

Color Matching
- Caterpillars exploit color matching with natural objects (e.g., leaves, mud) for concealment.
- Some align bodies to mimic the outline of leaves.
Mimicry
- Certain species mimic twigs to avoid predation, adopting specific postures to enhance this resemblance.
- Twig mimics of the Geometridae family: resemble twigs closely, remaining motionless during daylight for protection.
Inconspicuous Postures
- Moths such as Melsheimer's Sack-bearer employ unique resting positions to avoid detection.

Specialized Feeding
- Certain caterpillars will feed on specific plants that offer both sustenance and hiding spots.
- Example: Hadena species and their habitat choices like campions and bladder campion.
Boring Caterpillars
- Caterpillars like Papaipema create tunnels within their host plants, providing a haven from predators as they consume plant tissues.

Dion Skipper
- Creates silk tubes from sedges to hide and feed, emerging only at night for sustenance.
Barrens Dagger Moth
- Constructs chambers in decayed wood for pupation, relying on natural concealment in the ecological habitat.

Tiger Beetles
- Predators like tiger beetles show camouflaged coloration to blend with their environment, enhancing hunting success while avoiding being prey themselves.
- Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle’s adaptation to sandy beach habitats exemplifies this behavioral adaptation.

Dual Purpose of Camouflage
- Hiding from other predators while simultaneously ambushing prey.
Survival in Nature
- Endless cycle of seeking and hiding among creatures that illustrates the fundamental struggle for survival in ecological systems.

Invertebrate Zoologist with MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
Expertise in taxonomy, ecology, and conservation of rare terrestrial invertebrates.
Engages in biological surveys and further research to support land protection and regulatory efforts.