February 10

Monday, Remi and I hiked the Sumner Parcel trail that was recently established on 20 acres of land on the north side of Hubscher Park, a Gratiot County park located 6 miles southwest of Alma. The noontime weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 10 degrees and a slight southwesterly breeze. I headed northeast on the 1 mile loop that was covered with fresh snow and showed no tracks of recent hikers. Turning due north, I paused to hear a distant crow. The trail turned east and meandered along the edge of a woods where I spotted a small Red Cedar tree whose lower branches had been eaten by deer. This was a surprise since they usually avoid eating the prickly needles unless there is no other food available. I turned north and followed the path along a forest edge where several White Oak trees still retained their brown leaves. On my right was a single Jack Pine tree whose lower branches had been eaten by deer. As with the Red Cedar, this is not their preferred food and indicated they were very hungry and unable to find other sources. A bright noonday sun and a snow white clearing provided a perfect setting for several tree shadows. The trail turned south where a large White Pine came into view while I followed some fresh deer tracks. Looking up, I saw some tall, leafless Cottonwood trees against a background of rare blue sky. Passing a Wood Duck box, I came to a service road that wound along the edge of an ice-covered gravel pit that is used by the park in the summer for fishing and swimming Finally, I followed the road west back to the car for our trip home.

Tracks in snow

Let me know

You walked last night

Across fields of white

Your hooves reveal

You found a meal

Nocturnal creature

Favorite of nature

Deer of the forest

It’s time to rest

D. DeGraaf