January 27

Tuesday, while Remi remained at home recovering from knee surgery, I journeyed 7 miles west of Mt. Pleasant to one of our favorite hiking spots, Deerfield Nature Park. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 14 degrees and no wind. From the parking lot, I headed south on a snow-covered trail where I nearly stepped on a tuft of rabbit fur and wondered if it was the result of an overnight predator-prey encounter. The path took me on a bridge over the Chippewa River, where I spotted a pair of swimming Mallards. From there, I continued south along the river on the River Loop trail where I came upon a gushing artesian well which is a pump-less water source that uses pipes to allow underground water that is under natural pressure to rise to the surface. This type of well seems to defy gravity because the pressure that builds up between layers of rock gets relieved when the water finds a path to the surface. The name "artesian" is derived from Artois, France, where such wells were sunk as early as 1126. Continuing south, I paused at a scenic river lookout where I saw a few Chickadees, a Cardinal and a Nuthatch. Also, it was easy to spot a perching Black Squirrel, which is a melanistic form of the Eastern Grey Squirrel. Nearby, I located several recently-dug holes in the snow where these creatures were retrieving their food cache. Enjoying the beauty and quietude of the forest, I took a hard left and followed the Wildwood Pathway northeast through stands of Aspen, Maple and Oak where there was plenty of evidence of deer activity including multiple tracks and places where they scraped away snow and leaf litter to feed on acorns and grass. Proceeding to a fork in the trail, I went left and followed the Nature’s Way Loop where I came upon several snags that had been shredded by a hungry Pileated Woodpecker, perhaps looking for its favorite food, carpenter ants. In parts of their range where these ants are prevalent, they can make up over eighty percent of their diet. They also consume many other ant species as well as termites. Having completed the loop, I crossed the bridge again while admiring the picturesque river landscape against a clearing sky to the east and returned to the car for the trip home.

Frigid winter day

Hike a different way

From tracks in snow

You’re one I know

From prints viewed

See you found food

Hope you kept warm

And escaped harm

Whitetail, I delight

Survived the night

D. DeGraaf

January 20

Tuesday, while Remi stayed home limping around the backyard, I hiked alone at Forest Hill Nature Area. The noontime weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 24 degrees and a slight breeze out of the northeast. At the crest of Energy Hill, I gazed west at a landscape that had been covered this morning with two inches of snow. Glancing south, I spotted a rotund Junco high in a tree perching and sunning itself. I proceeded down the hill, past Mallard Marsh and through Bobolink Meadow where the freshly fallen snow topped the winter remnants of Milkweed and Queen Anne’s lace. Entering North Woods and turning west, I noticed fresh squirrel tracks on the trail and blue skies through a leafless canopy. After leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where I spotted a few snow ridges across the path made by Meadow Voles. These rodent-like mammals, also called field mice, are very active in the winter scurrying about in a network of tunnels under the snow having to eat the equivalent of 60% of their body weight per day to survive. Continuing through Birch Row, I turned into South Woods and paused briefly on the new boardwalk overlooking Swanson Swamp. Exiting the woods, I made it to Artist Overlook where I glanced down at Sora Swale. Walking quickly on south trail, I turned north at Frog Fen and climbed Reflection Hill where I caught a glimpse of frozen Grebe Pond. Also, I was pleased to see there was enough snow on the north side for school children to sled on Wednesday. Approaching the classroom, I was pleased to see Goldfinch on some of the bird feeders since they were filled for the first time yesterday. On the ground next to one feeder was a well-camouflaged Tree Sparrow eating seed that had spilled out. Finally, I found my car and headed home.

Birds of the cold

Quest to survive

Swarming the feeder

Staying alive

Cardinal of red

Junco of gray

Eyes of the raptor

Fixed on its prey

A sudden dive

From a tree above

Life for the hawk

Death for the dove

D. DeGraaf

January 14

Wednesday, while Remi reluctantly stayed home awaiting surgery for a torn ACL, I hiked a nature trail at the 131-acre, Pine River Recreation Club, located 8 miles west of Alma near the small village of Elm Hall. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy, very cold with a temperature of -3 degrees and no wind. From the parking lot, a club member joined me as we followed a snow-covered trail west through a tunnel of evergreens including pine and spruce. Despite not seeing or hearing any wildlife, there were signs of their presence including, fresh rabbit scat and deer tracks. Scattered squirrel holes reminded me that these creatures have the ability to distinguish their personal food cache from others by smell and spatial memory. Continuing west, we came to an area where I was surprised to learn Prickly Pear Cacti are found although now hidden under the snow. Having seen some on a hike a few weeks ago in southern California, I was further surprised to learn that they’re native to Michigan. Up ahead, we paused to notice that the main channel of the Pine River was not only frozen over but also well hidden under the snow. Finally, we turned around and retraced our steps back to the cars for our trip home.

Nowhere else I’d rather be

Nothing is better than this

Winter’s white welcomes me

Woods walk, hour of bliss

Overhanging evergreens

Cares and worries far away

Under snow, wildlife hides

All around, nature’s display

Silence fills a scenic forest

Time to relax and unwind

Nourishment for the soul

Exercise for body and mind

D. DeGraaf

January 7

Wednesday, while Remi remained home with an injured leg, I hiked the nature trail at Odyssey High School, which is part of the Shepherd School District, located 13 miles north of Alma off from Wise Rd. in Isabella County. The mid-day weather was mostly sunny with a frigid temperature of 7 degrees and no wind. With the sun at my back, I left the parking lot heading north on a trail lined with birch and aspen and covered with 4-5 inches of snow. Further ahead, the trailed was shaded by a dense stand of mature Eastern Hemlock on my left and Red Pine on my right. Several immature Beech trees, still with their leaves on, comprised the understory. I turned west and hiked on a boardwalk over the narrow, ice-covered Onion Creek. Turning around, I wound my way back to the north and followed another boardwalk out to an observation deck overlooking 10 acres of wetlands with Onion Creek meandering through the middle. Looking more closely at the thick vegetation of brown stalks topped with seed heads that covered the area, I recognized it as Purple Loosestrife. Unfortunately, this invasive plant had grown unchecked for some time and had displaced native cattails and pondweed which are important wildlife food plants. Next, I turned around and headed south where I spotted a disturbed area of leaf litter where hungry deer had foraged for acorns. Finally, I made it back to the car and headed north to Mt. Pleasant to run some errands.

Year and month commence

Winter season revealed

Fresh snow surrounds

Pond surface sealed

Night creatures move

Tracks mark their way

Back in their lairs

When dark welcomes day

Sun through the canopy

Shadows cross a white floor

Mother Nature’s artwork

Witness am I once more

D. DeGraaf