January 27

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was in Muskegon where they had two feet of snow on the ground. Sunday, at the Nature Area, the early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 21 degrees, no wind and a few inches of snow on the ground. On this hike, I planned to focus on the sounds of winter, both natural and man-made. I stood at the crest of the hill to view the winter landscape and heard a few birds at the feeders behind the Classroom Building. Descending the hill, I walked through Bobolink Meadow and turned around to see the sun rising over Mallard Marsh. I entered North Woods and saw some fresh Squirrel tracks. I walked in silence except for the sound of my boots hitting the snow-covered boardwalk. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I saw lots of mouse tracks and heard the drone of a distant plane. Entering South Woods, I noticed the Raccoon carcass was gone. I continued over the boardwalk and paused at the edge of Swanson Swamp to hear a few Chickadees. This wetland is named after John Swanson, who was a key figure in the establishment of the Nature Area, twenty years ago. As an employee of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, John facilitated the initial lease of this property for an outdoor learning center in 1993. He also oversaw the wetland restoration efforts during the early years of development. Next, I ventured out on the ice where I spotted a coyote den. Also, I saw the seed head of a Buttonbush shrub. Native Americans utilized this plant to treat urinary blockage, either stones or swollen prostate. They used a poultice of the roots for eye problems. A decoction of bark was used as an eye bath. The root and stem bark was used to treat fevers. They found relief from toothaches by chewing the bark. Next, I exited the woods and continued to Artist Overlook where I was surprised to see approximately 100 Mourning Doves flying in and out of Sora Swale while calling out in their high-pitched, tweeting song. Following south trail, I turned south at Frog Fen and arrived at Brady Cemetery. The cemetery is named after the Brady family who settled in this area back in the 1800’s. In 1876, Joseph Brady sold the 1.5-acre, cemetery land to Seville Township for $75.00. Joseph and Martha, their two sons, James and Samuel, with their wives, Helen and Mioma are buried here, along with several of their neighbors. Next, I entered Native Grassland and hiked north to quiet Grebe Pond. I continued north to the barn where I spotted a decomposed Opossum carcass on the ground. Arriving at the Classroom Building, I saw and heard several birds at the feeders including Gold and Purple Finches, Juncos, Snow Buntings and English Sparrows. Also, there were lots of bird tracks on the snow by the feeders. Finally, we paused once more in silence, got in the car and headed for home.

Old man winter joined my hike
Someone I know, someone I like
We trudge over ice like before
I enjoy his company even more
He warned me spring is far away
Air will be colder than it is today
I looked around. He let me know
Winter is more than fallen snow
Wind is strong. Days are short
A storm’s coming from his report
I see his tracks. I followed his lead
His words of wisdom I often heed

D. DeGraaf

January 19

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. Instead, I drove 16 miles south on US 127 to the Maple River State Game Area where we planned to explore part of this 9000-acre wetland complex consisting of floodplains, lowlands and marshes associated with the Maple River corridor. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 37 degrees and a slight wind from the southwest. As soon as I got out of the car to look around, I noticed the loud traffic noise. We followed a trail east on a berm with frozen water on both sides where I spotted a few deer tracks on one of the few patches of snow. Off to the south, I saw a Wood Duck house sticking up above a sea of dead cattails. Next, I hiked out on a boardwalk where I spotted a Fox Squirrel and noticed its tracks. Continuing east, I saw several Muskrat lodges tucked in among the cattails. I turned south and came to an observation platform, climbed to the top, scanned the area and thought about how the DNR has begun a long-term rehabilitation project on this land with a goal of providing more and better waterfowl habitat. The management plan calls for improving upland habitat to provide better nesting conditions for waterfowl and pheasants. As I looked to the east, I could see the section that is now designated as a waterfowl refuge and is off-limits to hunters and others from Sept. 1 - Dec. 1. The refuge will offer an undisturbed area for migrating waterfowl. Hiking south over another berm, I spotted some Muskrat channels on the ice. Next, I turned around and headed north where I spotted a Muskrat hole close to the trail. Also, I spotted the dried seed heads of Common Teasel. The seeds are an important winter food resource for some birds, notably the Goldfinch. This plant is considered an invasive species that forms a monoculture, capable of crowding out native plants. I crossed a footbridge and turned west toward the car where I noticed some open water in the ditch with some unusual ice formations. Continuing west, I observed a few Ash trees that were being killed by the Emerald Ash Borer. Finally, we returned to the car and headed north toward home.

In thy nature is beauty

In thy nature is earth

In thy nature I find my worth
In thy nature is peace

In thy nature I find myself

In thy nature every lasting greens
In thy nature there is more to be seen

In thy nature a beauty untold

In thy nature everything is worth more than gold

Stephanie McGrath

January 12

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 43 degrees and a slight southerly breeze. As soon as I got out of the car, I spotted a large hawk perched in a tree off to the north. I paused at the crest of the hill to view the snowless landscape. Descending the hill, I hiked past Mallard Marsh and entered Bobolink Meadow where I still had vivid memories of the controlled burn that took place here one day back in April of 2004. At that time, the Bobolink population was thriving with as many as a 20 nesting pairs scattered about the property. To ensure a healthy population for the future by restoring suitable habitat, 20 acres of meadow were burned along the north boundary extending west from Rich Road, past Mallard Marsh through Bobolink meadow to the edge of North Woods. Being part of my first burn crew, I learned a lot that day about the importance of back burning, pre-mowing and perimeter plowing. Mother nature helped with cool temperatures and an east wind to keep smoke away from houses. Except for a few nervous moments keeping fire out of the neighbor’s calve coops and despite some complaints from others down the road, we were pleased with our efforts and results. Even though the blackened earth greened up quickly, it took several years before new habitat attracted nesting Bobolinks. Entering North Woods, I followed the trail west and paused at the boardwalk where I noticed the iceless vernal pond. I exited the woods and remembered that it had been one year since I discovered a young button buck lying dead off the trail. I walked over to the spot and moved away some vegetation. All that remained were a few large bones and some hair. Since deciding not to disturb this spot anymore, I covered everything back up so Mother Nature could complete her work. Moreover, I was grateful for witnessing the amazing process of decomposition over the past year. Next, I circled Succession Field and entered South Woods where I noticed that a scavenger had been feeding off the Raccoon carcass. Exiting the woods, I observed some snow that remained on the trail. I passed Artist Overlook and followed the south trail around to the east side of Sora Swale where I spotted the remains of a deer sticking up through the ice. I continued east where I was surprised to see a Wooly Bear Caterpillar curled up on the trail. Next, I came to Frog Fen, turned north and climbed Reflection Hill where I was also surprised to see three waves of noisy Canada Geese flying overhead, heading west. I descended the hill, passed the Classroom building and wandered down to Grebe Pond to check out the makeshift dock that was set up since the ice was not thick enough for school children to walk on to collect water samples. Finally, we made it back to the car and took off for home.

Trail of adventure welcomes me
Perfect path of discovery
It meanders through a meadow
It follows a favorite field
It turns around the trees
It ascends a lovely lookout
It descends the higher hill
A need to commune with nature
A need I can fulfill

D. DeGraaf

January 5

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 19 degrees, some patches of ice fog and no wind. With no new snow this week, the ground remained covered with about 2 inches of it along with some bare spots. Glancing up, I observed a quarter moon against a clearing sky. As I gazed fondly at the western landscape, I welcomed in 2013 and remembered the significance of this year as the 20th anniversary of the Nature Area. During my hikes this year, I plan to reflect on 20 years of memories as well as recount some of the history of this land back to the 1800’s. For it was back in 1993, being somewhat a new employee of the Gratiot-Isabella RESD, that I was asked to oversee the development of an outdoor education center on a 90-acre, abandoned, pig farm we had leased from the Gratiot Soil Conservation District for one dollar. My initial observations of this land were unimpressive. Little did I know that from these humble beginnings, I would fulfill a life-long dream, reignite a passion for nature and define my career for the next 20 years. Descending the hill, I paused at Mallard Marsh and thought about the evolution of this wetland from dry ground to what it is today. Back in 1999, as part of a U.S. Fish & Wildlife wetlands restoration project, drain tiles were broken, dirt was excavated and a berm was formed here. Soon water filled in, cattails began to grow and this marsh was created. I proceeded through Bobolink meadow where I saw some dried, frozen Goldenrod flowers. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south toward Willow Wallow where I gazed at the sun rising through the patchy fog. I passed the frozen pond and walked around Succession Field where I could barely see a deer through the thick fog. The snow-covered trail was well worn with a mixture of deer, dog, human and rabbit tracks. I entered South Woods and walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I heard the familiar call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Continuing on the path, I was surprised to see some blood spots on the snow as well as some deer hair. Since there was no evidence of predation, I suspect a hunter retrieved his kill from this spot. I could only hope the animal was not illegally shot on the property but off the property and died there. Exiting the woods, I arrived at Artist Overlook where I paused to see 3 deer run slowly along the edge of Sora Swale. Following the south trail, I spotted lots of small rodent tracks crossing the path. I arrived at Frog Fen, turned north and climbed Reflection Hill where I gazed down at ice-covered, Grebe Pond. I descended the hill and came to the Classroom Building where I was surprised not to see any activity at the bird feeders. Finally, we got to the car, turned on the heater and headed to Alma.

A white blanket covers the yard.
Snowflakes fly swiftly threw the air.
There sits a Cardinal on the frozen bush.
Feathers puffed and bold.
Singing a winter tune.
the wet snowflakes melt on his head.
Hearing the creak of a gate,
and with one swift movement he lifts into a gentle soar.
Off he goes into the white sky.

Unknown