Wednesday, Remi stayed home while I was invited by a community member to hike on his 100-acre, wooded tract along the Pine River, a few miles south of Alma. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 36 degrees and no wind. Accompanied by his friendly dog Zeke, we hiked north through a stand of conifers where the trail was carpeted with decomposing pine needles. Entering a clearing, I spotted some Reindeer Moss as well as colorful orange bracket fungi. Next, we continued into a mature forest of broadleaf trees where I was shown the trunks of Yellow Birch, Shagbark Hickory as well as a dying Ash snag being attacked by a Pileated Woodpecker. Approaching the river, I was amazed to see an old beaver cut on a large Cherry trunk, approximately 2 ½ feet in diameter. It appeared the poor beaver gave up trying to topple such a huge tree. Nearby, I noticed a hole in the riverbank likely made by a river otter. Continuing north and walking across one of many shallow vernal ponds, I noticed a Marsh Marigold plant was ready to blossom. At the edge of the flooded Pine River, I paused to observe the gentle current flowing south to north. Turning around, I headed south past a few Jack Pines as well as a stand of Red and White Pines that showed evidence of recent storm damage. Also, on the ground, I spotted a patch of British Soldier lichens peeking through some dead Red Pine needles. Finally, I returned to the house, thanked my host for the tour of one of the counties finest riparian natural areas and headed home.
Perching squirrels
Chitter, Chatter
Chipmunks run
Pitter, patter
Wood duck pair
Fly and squeak
River rapids
Babbling creek
Frogs and toads
Start to sing
Nature’s choir
Hymns of spring
D. DeGraaf
No comments:
Post a Comment