June 15

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was at the Bay City State Recreation Area hiking with family members while Remi was back in Alma. This area has one of the largest remaining freshwater, coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, the Tobico Marsh. More than a thousand feet of sandy beach and over 2,000 acres of wetland woods, wet meadows, cattail marshlands and oak savannah prairies make it an ideal staging area for migratory birds. The noontime weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 71 degrees and a gentle easterly breeze off Saginaw Bay. We started out on a mile-long circuit around a large lagoon where I spotted a clump of Daisy Fleabane. As we continued on the trail, I noticed lots of Meadow Anemone with their white blossoms and star-like leaf structure. Walking at a leisurely pace, we enjoyed the wonderful aroma of Multi Flora Rose blossoms lining the path. Next, I was surprised to see a nesting pair of Mourning Doves along with one of their fledglings resting on the ground. It’s amazing how well their color blends with the earthen background. Despite the fact that these birds may be hunted in 40 other states, I am please they are not hunted in Michigan. As we continued our circuit around the lagoon, I noticed some Goat’s beard, Red Clover as well as Yellow Sweet Clover. We paused on a bridge over the lagoon’s inlet where I saw a Painted Turtle sunning itself. Next, we ventured off the path and walked on the beach down to the water of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay where we enjoyed a refreshing breeze. The name of the lake is derived from early French explorers who named it for the Huron people inhabiting the region. By surface area, Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes, making it the third-largest fresh water lake on Earth. By volume however, Lake Huron is only the third largest of the Great Lakes. Walking near the water’s edge, I spotted a decomposing carp fish. These fish are capable of tolerating a range of environmental conditions. They have a greater tolerance of low oxygen levels, pollutants and turbidity than most native fish and are often associated with degraded habitats. Back on the trail, we paused to notice some Yarrow and enjoyed the pungent smell of its leaves. Crossing over a boardwalk, we saw some Ground Ivy and Bladder Campion growing just off the path. Off to my right, I observed some kind of white bracket fungus growing on a tree trunk. Just before completing the circuit, I paused to look at colorful purple Coreopsis. Finally, we got to the car for our trip back to Alma.

A place out of town
Far from the suburb
Where wildlife thrive
I’ll try not to disturb
Place of natural beauty
I can smell the flowers
Trail around a lagoon
I could hike for hours
Path of cement and sand
Over gently rolling terrain
I hope to return soon
Won’t hesitate or refrain

D. DeGraaf