June 28

Saturday, Remi stayed home while I was one of eight bird watchers participating in a hike at Forest Hill led by expert birder, Stan Lilly of Mt. Pleasant. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 75 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the southeast. Leaving the parking lot and heading south into Native Grassland, we were greeted by the warning shriek of a male Redwing Blackbird as we passed by his nesting territory among the cattails along the edge of Grebe Pond. In the grassland, we discovered a pheasant feather on the trail while being entertained by the calls of a few Song Sparrows. We paused at Brady Cemetery where we caught a glimpse of a perching Kingbird. Turning north, we approached Frog Fen where Stan alerted us to a singing Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo. We turned west on the south trail where we stopped to listen to the mimicking calls of a Catbird perched in a Box Elder tree. Continuing south, we heard a Wood Duck, Goldfinch and Yellowthroat. We rounded Sora Swale, passed Artist Overlook and turned west along the edge of South Woods. Entering the woods, we followed the earthen trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp where we heard the distant call of a Crow. We exited the woods, turned west again and circled Succession Field where we were treated by a singing Cardinal perched high in an Oak. Entering the shade of North Woods, Stan once again alerted us to the calls of an Eastern Wood Pewee and Common Flicker. We left the woods and turned east into Bobolink Meadow where we heard a Ring Neck Pheasant. Completing the hiking circuit, we gathered in the shade of the Observation Deck next to Grebe Pond where we saw a family of Geese swimming among the dense, green watermeal. As a fitting end to a successful hike, we were all pleased to catch a glimpse of a Common Gallinule perching on a log near the south shore. Finally, the group broke up, headed to their cars and took off for home.

Bird approached

Stopped to perch

Is it the one found?

Or is it the search?

Resumed his flight

Paused to rest

Is it the sight of him?

Or is it the quest?

He took off again

Grabbed some fruit

Is it the view I want?

Or is it the pursuit?

What is better?

To seek or find

I like them both

Pleases the mind

D. DeGraaf

June 17

Tuesday, I was in Madrid, Spain hiking along the Manzanares River in Monte El Pardo Preserve accompanied by my wife, Caroline, my daughter Allison, my two sisters, Bev & Peg along with our guide, Jonathan, a native of Nova Scotia. The late morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 70 degrees and a slight northerly breeze. Following a well-worn path on the riverbank, we saw a variety of trees including: Plane trees (related to Sycamore) with their maple-like leaves, bristly fruit and mottled bark, Acacia trees with Spanish Moss growing on their trunks, a Locust Bean tree and a Holly Oak. In one of the trees a Wood Pigeon was perching. Near the river’s edge, we spotted a swallow but could not determine the exact species. We left the trail and walked to a place where the river rushed over a concrete slab. Continuing on the trail, we could barely make out a female Pintail duck swimming in a swampy cove far below. Also, we saw and heard a few European Magpies. In the open areas, many colorful wildflowers were in bloom including: Wild Parsnips, Dense flowered Mullein, Milk Thistle, Spanish Oyster Thistle and Wild Clematis. Next, we paused to observe a Cereal Leaf Beetle on a Tansy flower as well as smell the pleasant aroma of its leaves. Nearby, a shrub, called Spanish Broom, was in full bloom. Finally, we retraced our steps back to the beginning and boarded a bus for return trip to the hotel.

I’ve traveled many lands

Most states and beyond

I’ve hiked many trails

Most memories are fond

Along scenic rivers

Majestic mountains high

Across verdant valleys low

Natural beauty I can’t deny

Everywhere I’ve gone

Mother Earth has a story

Everywhere I’ve looked

Nature reveals her glory

D. DeGraaf

June 9

Monday, Remi and I hiked at one of our favorite sites, Pine River Park in Alma, starting at the boat launch. The late morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and a light, refreshing breeze out of the east. I headed east along the paved trail where several wildflowers along the bank were in full bloom including: Meadow Anemone, Woody Nightshade and Wild Rose. Just off shore in the river, I spotted a mother Mallard tending to her babies and a Muskrat feeding. Further down the path, more blossoms caught my eye including: Buttercup, Fleabane and Red Clover. The path took me close to the river’s edge before turning into a woods of mature Maple, Oak and Aspen where I recalled my excitement a few weeks ago of a rare sighting of a male Scarlet Tanager perched on a branch close by. Hiking through dense shade, I turned away from the river into a clearing where I spotted a patch of colorful Dame’s rockets growing tall out of the leaf litter while above me fragrant blossoms were hanging from a Black Locust tree. I turned again and followed a paved road through the shade of Norway spruce and White Pine to another clearing where I saw flowers of Oxeye Daisies, Coreopsis and Blue Bonnet. I paused to look at an aging Pearl Crescent butterfly with its tattered wings, resting on a Virginia creeper leaf. Also, I noticed a Common Blue Damselfly sunning itself. Turning back toward the river, I caught a glimpse of Orange Hawkweed blossoms at the base of a wooden fence. Finally, we retraced our steps back to the car for our trip home.

From a grassy meadow

To the forest ground

From the trees above

Nature’s gifts are found

Some are bright yellow

Others white or blue

Some slightly pink

Others, a purple hue

Your beauty revealed

To the earth you cling

Show off your colors

Blossoms of spring

D. DeGraaf

June 4

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked at the Alma College Ecological Station, commonly referred to as the Vestaburg Bog, located 12 miles west of Alma near the village of Vestaburg. The early afternoon weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 63 degrees and no wind. We left the car and headed south into the property where I was greeted by a dense swarm of pesky mosquitoes. Along the edge of the path, I spotted the white blossoms of False Solomon Seals and Maple-Leaf Viburnum. A few red blossoms of Columbine were also on display. Turning east, I headed deeper into the forest where I noticed the sac-like nest of a Baltimore oriole hanging down from the branch of a Witch Hazel tree. Growing near the ground was a young Sassafras tree. I turned south again, descended a slight hill and walked onto a boardwalk that was floating on a mat of sphagnum moss covering part of the bog. Heading toward open water, I stopped to admire some beautiful Pink Lady slipper orchids growing near the boardwalk. I came to the end where I stopped to scan the 10-acre, circular lake at center of the bog. On the shore nearby, a few insectivorous Picture plants were growing from the sphagnum mat, some displaying their striking red blossoms. I turned around and headed back to the forest trail where I saw a lush Cinnamon fern with its familiar brown fruiting stalk. Nearby, was a patch of the Club Moss. Continuing back toward the car, I spotted a few tiny, white blossoms of Canada Mayflower. Finally, we reached the car, hopped in to escape the mosquitoes and headed back to Alma.

Signs of spring abound

Mother Nature thrives

A frog sits and hops

A Grebe swims and dives

Nests fill with hatchlings

Meadow fills with green

Yellowthroat on a branch

Is heard but seldom seen

Seasons are changing again

Summer will be here soon

May is a distant memory

Time to welcome June

D. DeGraaf