April 30

Thursday, Remi and I traveled 13 miles southwest of Alma to the small village of Sumner and hiked on the Walking Trail in Centennial Park. We stepped out of the car around 7:30am to overcast skies, still air and a chilly temperature of 36 degrees. Near the trail entrance, I paused to take in the sights and sounds of the Pine River that flowed south along the park’s western border. I followed the path north along the river flats where several Skunk Cabbage plants were popping up through the leaf litter. I paused by a young plant, broke off some leaves and smelled the “rotting flesh” odor that gave it the name. Surprisingly, the stench is quite beneficial to the plant's survival as it discourages animals from eating its leaves and disturbing the wetland habitat it prefers. The smell also attracts bees and flies that act as its pollinators. Besides the putrid smell, they are one of the few plants that exhibit thermogenesis, meaning they have the ability to raise their own temperature. Much like a warm-blooded mammal, the plant can raise its temperature well above the outside temperature during the day and night. This attribute allows the plant to melt its way through snow and frozen ground. Continuing on the trail, some very white bracket fungi caught my eye. As the path circled back to the south, I spotted several patches of my first spring wildflower, called Bloodroot. I pulled up a few to observe the red sap on the roots from which it is named. Native Americans once used this sap for dyes. The rootstock is caustic and poisonous if ingested, but has been used medicinally for its antiseptic and emetic properties. Continuing south, I noticed the Honeysuckle bushes along the trail were beginning to leaf out and green up the woodland. Nearing the car, I scanned a tall tree where a Chipping Sparrow was singing loud and clear. After much searching, I barely spotted it among the dense branches with its rust-colored crown and thin black, eye patch. Finally, we got in the car and headed east toward Alma.

Where’ve you been

Where will you go

Staying the course

Pine River, flow

Channel is full

Current is slow

Life giving source

Pine River, flow

Wisdom of your waters

I long to know

Nature’s treasure

Pine River, flow

D. DeGraaf

April 24

Friday, Remi and I hiked once again at Forest Hill Nature Area. Arriving at 7:30am, we were greeted by clear, sunny skies, calm winds and a temperature of 25 degrees. Walking north of the storage garage, I paused at the pile of wood chips to check out the Killdeer eggs that I’ve allowed the students to observe the past few days. I headed west down Energy Hill past Mallard Marsh where I spotted an American Coot or Mud Hen swimming among the cattails. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I was pleased to see the Bluebird box had a Bluebird on it. I followed the trail through North Woods and paused at the boardwalk where freezing temperatures overnight created some striking ice patterns on the vernal pond. I continued west and paused at the circle of Beech trees to look around and listen. I exited the woods and immediately caught a glimpse of a nesting pair of Cowbirds perched high above me. Circling Succession Field, I entered South Woods where new plants of May apple and Woodland Sedge were greening the forest floor. Exiting the woods, I arrived at Artist Overlook to enjoy the song of a male Field Sparrow announcing his breeding territory. Most of the time these birds are difficult to identify as they secretly hop through the grasses and shrubs of the meadow. Following south trail, I turned south at Frog Fen, passed Brady Cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where the Box Elder trees were flowering. Scanning Grebe Pond to the north, I noticed a few Tree Swallows swooping just above the water looking for flying insects. I continued past the barn and returned to the wood chip pile where the well-camouflaged Killdeer was now sitting on her eggs. Finally, we hopped in the car and left for home.

Waning days of April

Searching for spring

Nature’s reluctant

For warmth to bring

Looking for blossoms

Yellow or blue

Looking for Bobolinks

In the meadow view

Welcoming shadows

From the vernal sun

Longing for green

Where there was none

D. DeGraaf

April 17

Friday, Remi and I hiked once again at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 43 degrees and a slight southerly breeze that spun the wind turbine on energy hill. I descended the hill to Mallard Marsh where I spotted a Mallard drake through the cattails and listened to a chorus of sounds that included the familiar shrill of Redwing Blackbirds and tapping of Leopard Frogs. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I was pleased to hear a Song Sparrow singing and see a lovely Bluebird perching. Following the muddy trail through North Woods, I spotted more signs of the season on the forest floor including young leaves of Canada Wild Ginger and Trout Lilly. I exited the woods where the morning sun and dew had turned Succession Field into a cotton field that was actually hundreds of spider webs. Next, I entered South Woods where the ground was littered with another sign of spring-the caterpillar-like catkin flowers that had fallen from the surrounding Quaking Aspen trees. After pausing at Swanson Swamp to enjoy another avian symphony, I proceeded down the trail and came upon the decomposing leg of a deer that had been dragged from an area near the west trail where I had previously discovered the carcass. Exiting the woods, I passed artist overlook and took the south trail to Frog Fen where I observed a pair of Tree Swallows checking out one of the bird boxes. Continuing past Brady Cemetery, I followed the trail north through Native Grassland along the edge of Grebe Pond where the female redwings were busy courting and nesting. Finally, we passed the barn and classroom, came to the car and took off for home.

No matter the season, no matter the week

It’s the wonders of nature that I seek

It may be the song of a heron in flight

May be a deer that’s in my sight

It may be a fresh blanket of snow

May be grasses starting to grow

It may be colorful leaves in the fall

May be the sound of frogs that call

Always something to see and hear

No matter the month, no matter the year

D. DeGraaf

April 8

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked once again at Forest Hill Nature Area. The mid afternoon weather was overcast with a temperature of 37 degrees and a steady breeze out of the northeast that brought an odorous reminder of the dairy farm next door. At the crest of Energy Hill, I paused and gazed west, looking at the landscape for any hint of green. I descended the hill and passed Mallard Marsh where I saw my first female Redwing Blackbird of the season perched on a cattail being courted by several noisy males. On the path through Bobolink Meadow, I saw another pile of decomposed, “hairy” Coyote scat. I entered North Woods and immediately noticed the mosses were in full bloom including: hair cap, fern and feather moss. Also, some fungi caught my eye including: a colorful slime mold and shelf fungus. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where heavy overnight rain flooded the west trail. Off the trail, I spotted remains of some unidentified mammal. Passing quickly through South Woods, I wasn’t surprised to see a high water level in Swanson Swamp. Exiting the woods, I followed the trail east to Artist Overlook where I heard and saw my first Belted Kingfisher flying above Sora Swale. Following south trail, I turned north at Frog Fen where I observed my first Burrowing Crayfish of the season. I climbed Reflection Hill and paused to gaze down at the mirror-like surface of Grebe Pond. Descending the hill, I passed the classroom and approached my car where I was pleased to see another Killdeer had returned to the mulch pile to make a nest. Finally, we hoped in the car and headed home.

Early in April

Woodlands awake

On the forest floor

Crawls a garter snake

Inside the tree trunk

Rises sweet sap

Outside the trunk

Woodpeckers tap

On the vernal pond

Mallard ducks return

Wisdom from nature

I continue to yearn

D. DeGraaf

April 1

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The late afternoon weather was mostly sunny with a welcomed temperature of 55 degrees and a noticeable breeze out of the southeast. At the crest of Energy Hill, I was greeted by a flock of noisy Ring-billed Gulls that had flown from a huge gathering in the neighbor’s field to the north. Moving past Mallard Marsh and entering North Woods, I was entertained by a spring chorus of birds including gulls, redwing blackbirds and geese.  I continued west to the boardwalk and came upon my first butterfly of the season, a beautiful Mourning Cloak- most likely a male sunning itself on the leaf litter, looking for a mate. The name comes from its resemblance to the traditional black cloak worn by people in mourning for a deceased loved one. Also, these butterflies overwinter as adults in tree cavities or beneath bark in what is called "cryro-preservation", where they are virtually frozen alive, maintaining a very low body temperature and metabolism which allows them to tolerate sub-freezing temperatures. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I spotted an active colony of mound ants. The large mounds that serve as a solarium, collecting heat from the sun to warm the colony, seem to be increasing throughout the Nature Area. Further along, I caught a quick glimpse of my first Garter Snake of the season (see if you can find it in the photo). Entering South Woods, I walked quietly on the boardwalk in Swanson Swamp so I would not disturb a mother goose lying on her nest nearby (see if you can find her in the photo). Exiting the woods, I was pleased to finally locate the patch of Club Moss that had eluded our search for months. I followed the usual route past Sora Swale, past Frog Fen, past Brady Cemetery and through Native Grassland where I spotted a decomposed pile of Coyote scat containing the hair and fur of its prey. Arriving at the barn, I paused at the northeast corner of Grebe Pond take in the sights and sounds of a new season. Finally, we came to the car and headed home.

March turns to April

Spring takes hold

Afternoon air

Not freezing cold

New life emerges

Mother Nature’s pledge

From the forest floor

Green moss and sedge

From the wispy clouds

No sign of rain

From the field afar

Calls a Sandhill Crane

D. DeGraaf