Tuesday, Remi and I hiked in the Maple River State Game Area off of Croswell Rd. just west of US 127, 16 miles south of Alma. The mid morning weather changed from cloudy, misty to partly sunny with a temperature of 66 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the south. Leaving the car, I walked south on a trail located on top of a man-made berm meandering through extensive wetlands. Along the water’s edge, I noticed lots of cattails and Arrow Arum (Tuckahoe). On the path, I came upon an unfamiliar plant with beautiful yellow flowers called Moth Mullein. I followed the trail as it turned east where I spotted blossoms of Swamp Milkweed on my left and St. John’s Wort on my right. Up ahead of me, a family of geese left the trail and entered the water. Next, I was pleased to see my first, confirmed Monarch butterfly as it flew ahead of me and landed in the dense vegetation. Further along, I saw a patch of Purple Loosestrife. Far to the east in a tall, dead tree I could barely recognize a pair of perching Cormorants. Looking down, I could make out a Leopard Frog resting on a log. As the trail turned south, I came upon the remains of a goose carcass. Up ahead, a Muskrat was busy eating the lush, green grass. At the turn-around point, I noticed a dead, 18-inch Bowfin (Dogfish) lying in the vegetation just off the trail. Starting to retrace my steps, I spotted what appeared to be a beaver lodge off to my left. Nearing the end of the hike, I paused to observed several Brown Hawker dragonflies fluttering about and landing. Finally, we made it back to the car for our trip home.
You had barely left
When maples turned gold
Started to miss you
When November blew cold
I began to wait
When nights were long
Waited some more
When ice was strong
Longed for your return
When deer were lean
Hoped you’d come soon
To spread your green
You finally arrived
It’s been a whole year
Welcome summer!
Glad you’re here
D. DeGraaf
No comments:
Post a Comment