November 25

Wednesday, as firearm hunting season continued, Remi and I found refuge while hiking at Pine River Park in Alma. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 30 degrees and no wind. We exited the car and hiked west on a paved trail where some of the season’s first snowfall remained after yesterday’s thaw. Continuing along the steep riverbank, I paused to watch the sunrise over the glassy water. Further ahead, I noticed some fresh squirrel  tracks as well as a few Dark-eyed Juncos fluttering to and fro. Considered a sign of the season, these birds migrate here in the winter from their summer breeding grounds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. Turning south away from the river, I followed a path into a mature woodlot where the thawing snow revealed a layer of brittle oak leaves. Turning east toward the rising sun, I watched a nervous Whitetail cross the path in front of me. Also, on the ground, I detected Raccoon tracks, well preserved in the frozen mud. Exiting this deciduous woods, I turned south, followed the trail as it circled to the east and entered a dense coniferous woods where I spotted one from a small flock of Robins that may spend the winter in this sheltered area. Gazing through the leafless underbrush, I was somewhat surprised to observe another deer not more than 30 feet away. Along the edge of the woods, I looked up to watch a large flock of Cedar Waxwings move and perch among the tree branches. On the ground, I was intrigued by the mottled design in the snow cover formed by prior melt-water dripping from overhead branches. Just before the end of my hike, nature’s version of Xmas colors caught my eye that being the green of Norway spruce and the red of Viburnum berries. Finally, we completed the loop back to the car and headed home.

Deep in November

Signs of winter show

Last leaves of green

First cover of snow

Creatures seek shelter

Squirrel finds its lair

Herons finally gone

Oaks finally bare

Gone, chirping cricket

No more singing bird

Nature quiets down

Only whispers heard

D. DeGraaf

November 19

Thursday, since it was firearms hunting season, Remi and I went up to Mt. Pleasant to hike the safe confines of Millpond Park where deer, dogs and humans can roam free without fear of being shot. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 46 degrees and a stiff wind out of the southwest. We left the car and followed a paved trail east where the leaf litter indicated the presence of White Oak trees nearby. As the trail approached the bank of the Chippewa River, I caught a glimpse of the rising sun shining through the leafless Box Elder trees on the far shore. Also, on the ground, I noticed green patches of Garlic Mustard, the first of many types of invasive plants I found in the park. I continued east, got off the path and descended a gentle slope down to the river’s edge where I paused to look and listen to one of my favorite water courses as it turned north and flowed rapidly down grade. Meanwhile, on the sand near shore, I found fresh deer tracks. Proceeding south, I crossed over the river on a bridge and turned west where I spotted the fluffy white seeds of the invasive vine, Old Man’s Beard as it clung to the bushes next to the trail. As the path followed the riverbank south, I spotted two invasive shrubs, Common Buckthorn with its blue berries and Japanese Barberry with its red berries. Buckthorn berries are edible to birds. However, if consumed by humans they cause severe cramps and diarrhea. Barberry berries are edible to both birds and humans. A little further, I stopped to observe a 4-inch diameter aspen tree that was being cut down by a beaver. These amazing mammals can fell a tree like this in 5 minutes or less. After turning around to retrace my steps, I noticed some Wild Geranium foliage next to the path that was turning colors. Finally, we made it back to the car and headed home.

Speak to me

Waters of worth

Sustainer of life

Artery of earth

Raparian wonder

Born in a lake

Carving the land

Meandering snake

Soothing sounds

Resource giver

Rapids on rocks

Chippewa River

D. DeGraaf

November 12

Thursday, Remi and I traveled 18 miles south of Alma to hike once again at Gratiot County’s 100-acre, Reed Park. The early morning weather was very overcast with a temperature of 46 degrees and a strong gusty wind out of the south. Leaving the car, we quickly headed north and entered a dense, leafless forest to escape the cold wind. Soon, I came upon a sign indicating I was on the “Beech Maple” trail. This was confirmed by a scan of the surrounding tree trunks as well as the leaf litter. Also, in this mostly green-less landscape, I spotted a few green Christmas ferns. Continuing north, I paused to look through the now open canopy and see 1 of the 187 huge wind turbines in operation though out the county. As the path circled back to the south, I spotted some tiny lacy white fungi on one decaying stump and lemon disco fungi, also called yellow fairy cups on another. Another look at the leaf litter indicated I was passing through a stand of Red Oak. Further along, I came upon a large, 3-4 foot granite rock covered with moss and lichens. These ancient rocks (mostly igneous and metamorphic) that appear occasionally on my weekly hikes are called glacial erratics. Most were removed from the Canadian Shield and carried south by that last glacier some 11,000 years ago. Heading back toward the car, I was amazed to discover an 8-ft decaying log totally covered with whitish fungi. Upon closer inspection, I could see they were Turkey Tail. Finally, as the temperature dropped and rain began to fall, we jumped in the car and headed north to Alma.

Nature quiets down

Autumn of the year

Music of the marsh

No longer hear

Peep of the Sora

Cluck of the frog

Squirrel’s chirp

Have left the bog

Sounds of summer

Tunes to remember

Solitude of the season

Morning in November

D. DeGraaf

November 6

Thursday, Remi stayed home while I drove 25 miles northwest of Alma into Isabella County to explore the Winawa Preserve, at 2-acre wetland under the jurisdiction of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. The mid-day weather was overcast with a temperature of 46 degrees and a stiff wind out of the west. I pulled off Nottawa Rd. just a little north of Wing Rd. and hiked west onto the preserve into a clearing surrounded by a few Red and White Pine trees. Turning south, I passed through a grove of leafless deciduous trees where the leaf litter indicated they were all Cottonwood. While most of the surrounding ground vegetation had lost their summer color, some individual plants seem to be on a different biological clock and remained a lush green including Burdock and Sow Thistle. Other colors that stood out against the muted autumn landscape included: a few yellowish Beech leaves still clinging to their branches, a few Goldenrod blossoms, a reddish Virginia Creeper vine and Dogwood branches supporting a vacant nest. I proceeded south over saturated ground with some small pools of standing water to the edge of a half-acre pond surrounded by mostly narrow leaf cattails mixed in with a few broad-leaf cattails. While no birds, reptiles or amphibians were heard or seen, I did pause to look and listen as the strong wind blew through this valuable wetland that harbors one of the best populations of Western Chorus frogs in the county and serves as a migratory stop for bird species such as Sora and Virginia rail. Finally, I retraced my steps to the car and headed back to Alma.

Mother Nature gives her cue

Honeybees return to the hive

Canary Grass, a golden hue

Crawling Wooly Bears thrive

Finch feathers turning green

Chickadees are here to stay

Canada Geese leave the scene

Milkweed seeds blow away

Leaves of yellow floating down

Early November, windy and cold

Forest floor turning brown

Winter portends start to unfold

D. DeGraaf