July 19

Last Sunday, July 12, I hiked near our rental cottage on Beaver Island, a 35,000-acre nature paradise in northern Lake Michigan that we’ve visited for the past 14 years. The mid morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 70 degrees and no wind. Just outside the house along the edge of the yard, I noticed pink clusters of Sweet William and white blossoms of Star Chickweed. Descending the steps to the beach, I paused to watch a Chipmunk, sitting on the boardwalk. Turning east unto the foredunes, I could see that almost all the wildflowers were yellow including: Huron Tansy, Hoary Puccoon, Silverweed and Evening Primrose. The lovely exceptions were Beach Pea and Harebell. I observed a few insects fluttering about including: Common Blue damselflies and Red Admiral butterflies. Circling back to the west, I paused at the shore of Lake Michigan to enjoy some of my favorite sights and sounds. Continuing west, I spotted a few mollusk shells on the sand including Paper shell and Zebra mussels. The sand also revealed tracks of prior visitors including: deer, gulls, geese and me. Nearing the end, I gazed back at the lake in time to see a Ring-billed Gull, walking along the beach. Finally, I ascended the steps back to cottage for a morning coffee break.

Beach hike in mid July

Neath a bright sunny sky

Lake water’s cold and clear

Breaking waves are all I hear

Horizon meets a rising sun

Up ahead sandpipers run

Backdune, sedges & ferns

Overhead, gulls & terns

Just another quarter mile

Barefoot on Beaver Isle

D. DeGraaf