March 30

Wednesday, Remi and I traveled 6 miles west of Mt. Pleasant near Meridian Park to hike the 5-acre, Hiawatha Hills Preserve, one of 19 properties owned by the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 38 degrees and no wind. After parking the car on the Cedar Ct. cul-de-sac, we walked north and entered the wooded preserve consisting of mature deciduous and evergreen trees. The first thing I noticed poking out of the barren forest floor were several patches of Wild Leeks or Ramps. I stooped down, pulled one out of the damp earth and smelled the strong onion-like odor. Since there were no formal trails, I wandered around examining the leaf litter where I spotted evidence of White Cedar, White Oak and American Beech. In addition to these typical trees, I was surprised to find several Eastern Hophornbeam or Ironwood specimens including this large one with several protruding burls. Also, I spotted several Musclewood or Hornbeam trees including this one with its sinewy surface standing next to a small Sugar Maple. Zigzagging around several small vernal ponds, I noticed Turkey tail and Chlorociboria fungi growing on decaying logs. The dazzling blue-green stain on the wood colonized by Chlorociboria is due to its production of the pigment, Xylindein. This substance can inhibit plant germination and has been tested as an algaecide. It may make wood less appealing to termites, and has been studied for its cancer-fighting properties. Next, I paused to look and listen to the fast-flowing Chippewa River as it looped around the northern edge of the preserve. Later, I found out from the USGS data, that the river was flowing at a rapid rate of about 1000 cubic feet/second. Looping back toward the car, I scared up a half dozen deer that ran quickly for cover. Finally, we found the car and headed home.

Tender buds

On barren limbs

On swollen river

Muskrat swims

Soil softens

Sun warms

Waking forest

Colony swarms

On cattail perches

Redwings sing

Edge of March

Greeting spring

D. DeGraaf

March 23

Last Sunday, Remi and I traveled 16 miles west back to the village of Cedar Lake to hike another section of the Meijer Heartland Trail. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 21 degrees and no wind. After leaving the car, I paused next to a pond to recognize the vernal equinox by facing the rising sun that as of a few hours ago had crossed the celestial equator to begin a new spring season. Continuing east along the paved trail, I stopped briefly to pick a dried Bergamot seed head, crush it with my fingers and pass it near my nose to enjoy the spicy aroma. Next, I glanced up as a Red-bellied Woodpecker landed near the top of an old dying maple tree and began pecking away. Farther along, as the trail entered a wetland, I spotted a sure sign of spring, the maroon, hood-like leaves that enclose the emerging flowers of Skunk Cabbage. Gazing ahead, I was pleased to watch the vernal sun shining brightly through one of the many needleless Tamarack trees. These unusual deciduous conifers will soon begin to regrow their needles. Suddenly, the distinctive call of a Pileated Woodpecker caught my attention. After walking about ¾ mile east, I turned around and began following my shadow, whose length today should be exactly halfway between the longest at the winter solstice and the shortest at the summer solstice. On the ground, near the trail’s edge, I could barely make out a Tree Sparrow that was well camouflaged against the leaf litter. Also, nearby on a small, leafless tree was another sign of spring, the furry white male catkins of Pussy Willow. The catkins’ name comes from their likeness to tiny cats. Approaching the car, I paused to observe a small stream that flowed gently along the trail’s edge. Finally, we arrived back at the car for our journey home.

Orb of the heavens

Sun of the sky

Giver of life

None can deny

Orb of the heavens

Ascending star

Your vernal place

Your journey so far

Orb of the heavens

Warming sphere

Welcome to spring

Glad you’re here

D. DeGraaf

March 15

Tuesday, Remi and I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area for our weekly nature hike. The early morning weather was overcast with a temperature of 45 degrees and no wind. I left the parking lot and paused at the crest of Energy Hill to gaze west at the late winter, snowless landscape while detecting a strong aroma of manure from the neighboring dairy farm. Descending the hill to Mallard Marsh, I was greeted by the familiar calls of returning Redwing Blackbirds and Mallard ducks. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I scared up a half dozen noisy hen pheasants. Also, in the leafless shrubs along the trail’s edge, I noticed a few fluttering, well-hidden, Field Sparrows had returned from their winter migration. Scanning the meadow, I didn’t recall over the years every seeing so many Goldenrod nutgalls. Near the entrance to North Woods, I was surprised that the Silver Maple trees were already producing male flowers. While separate male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, a given tree usually has a majority of its flowers as either male and therefore is nearly seedless or female resulting in heavy seed production. Hiking along the muddy trail of North Woods, I noticed that many of the large Ash trees that were recently killed by the Emerald Ash Borer had blown down from the strong winter winds. Exiting North Woods, I hiked around the edge of Succession Field through Birch Row, entered South Woods and paused at Swanson Swamp to look and listen as Mother Nature prepared for spring. I exited the woods, passed Sora Swale and continued east on the south trail where I noticed some partially decomposed coyote scat revealing remnant pieces of hair and fur from previously devoured prey. Continuing south past Brady Cemetery, I turned north into Native Grassland and stopped at glassy Grebe Pond where a mating pair of geese was staking out their nesting territory. High overhead under thick clouds, I could barely make out a solitary Sand Hill Crane flying west. Finally, we completed the loop past the barn to the car and headed home.

Middle of March, earth renews

Awaiting spring, looking for clues

Killdeer in flight, opening song

Redwings call, all the daylong

On the pond, geese convene

Snow white has left the scene

Meadow sprouts, deer prefer

Ground creatures start to stir

Sun thaws the forest floor

Mother Nature cracks the door

D. DeGraaf

March 8

Tuesday, Remi and I traveled 23 miles northwest of Alma to explore the McNeel Preserve. Located off Winn Rd, west of Isabella County’s Deerfield Park, this 8-acre, hard-to-reach, preserve is one of 19 operated by the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. The early morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 46 degrees and no wind. I parked the car near the entrance to Saratoga Springs Dr. and walked across Winn Rd. To access the property, we first had to make our own way east through 500 feet of dense underbrush along the edge of a narrow creek called, Urie Drain. As the drain turned sharply to the north, I hopped over and entered the preserve where I spotted evidence of recent Beaver activity. Since there were no trails, I wandered around and noticed a small patch of Liverwort, a clump of British Soldier Lichens and a log covered with green moss highlighted by thousands of their “hairy” red filaments. Continuing east, I paused in the middle of a reforested stand of Red Pine to admire the sights and sounds. Through the conifer canopy, I was happy to see some blue sky. A short distance ahead, I arrived at a scenic section of the Chippewa River where I paused to look and listen to this wonderful watercourse. Continuing north along the steep riverbank, the leaf litter showed evidence of surrounding oak, beech and pine trees. Resident deer and rabbits left their impressions in a few remaining patches of snow. Turning west, I re-crossed Urie Drain and headed back toward the car while being entertained by a singing Cardinal. Finally, we got back to the car and headed east toward Mt. Pleasant to do some shopping.

Winter white

Brushed away

Surface brown

Leaves decay

Earth awaits

The artist preps

A new season

Very next steps

Canvas is set

Spring foreseen

Nature prepares

To paint with green

D. DeGraaf

Thursday, while Remi stayed home, I drove 22 miles south to the village of Maple Rapids to hike in the Maple River State Game Area. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 12 degrees and no wind. I parked the car at the dead end of W. Maple Rapids Rd. and proceeded south along the edge of the Maple River where the surrounding landscape was covered with 8 inches of fresh snow from yesterday’s storm. Looking away from the river, I spotted some large Poison Ivy vines with their hairy-like aerial roots clinging to the trunk of a mature oak tree. Also, I noticed the dried-up, bristly seedpods of a Wild Cucumber vine and the dried-up hips from a Wild Rose bush. Looking toward the river, I caught a quick glimpse of a single, male Common Merganser (similar to this one) flying fast and low above the river. Following the road, as it turned southeast, I paused to take in the sights and sounds of this scenic river as it flowed gently to the west where, in 21 miles, it will empty into the Grand River near the tiny town of Muir. Looking up into a leafless Maple tree with a few wild grapes still hanging on the vine, I noticed a half-dozen perching Robins and wondered if they were, if fact harbingers of spring. While these birds could be returning from warmer latitudes to their spring nesting area, they could also be year-round residents that stay through the winter because of an ample food supply. Finally, after taking one last look at this picturesque riparian realm, I turned around, hiked back to the car and headed home.

Blanket of white
Pulled away
Autumn remnants
On display
Blacks and browns
Wet and cold
Leaf litter
Spotted with mold
Winter returned
To the forest floor
Nature’s blanket
Covers once more


D. DeGraaf