Tuesday, Remi was back in Alma while I hiked in the Petritz Nature Preserve on Beaver Island along with my wife, Caroline and our good friends, Buzz & Linda Wynbeek. The mid afternoon weather was partly sunny with an unseasonably cool temperature of 57 degrees and a stiff north wind. From the car, we followed the half-mile trail north through a forest of mature maple and beech where I spotted a Harvestman on a maple leaf. Continuing north, I paused to pick a leaf of Wintergreen and smell it’s pleasing aroma. We turned east and came to a small clearing where I noticed a few blossoms of Bladder Campion. Further ahead, the trail turned north again and came out on a back dune of Lake Michigan where we felt the full effect of the stiff north wind. Moving toward the water into the fore dune zone, I spotted blossoms of Hoary Buccoon, Milkweed and Harebell. Also, I noticed some Picture Thistle. Next, I paused to take in the always-captivating sight of the lake and the welcomed sound of the surf. Nearer the shore, I saw Huron Tansy, Beach Pea and Silverweed flowers. While continuing to explore the fore dune, I was fascinated by the large number of the well-camouflaged Mottled Sand Grasshoppers jumping near my feet as well as dozens of hard-to-see, tiny, black toads. Also, we were pleased to observe another adult Monarch Butterfly, one of 16 we’ve seen so far this week compared to none a year ago. We turned around to retrace our steps back to the car where I spotted a single Evening Primrose. Returning to the trail through the woods, I noticed up-ahead sunlight peaking through the canopy while at my feet a patch of Heal-All. Finally, we got back to the car and headed to the cottage.
Horn of the ferryboat
Too loud to ignore
Island of summer
Welcome me once more
Lake Michigan beach
Waves pound the shore
Squeal of soaring gulls
Welcome me once more
Song of a distant Loon
I’ve so waited for
Nature’s subtle sounds
Welcome me once more
D. DeGraaf
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