April 27

Wednesday, Remi and I traveled 15 miles west of Alma to hike on a 100-acre private preserve just west of Marl Lake. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 41 degrees and calm winds. From the car, we followed an earthen trail south into a woodland of Aspen and Pine under sunny blue skies. Soon, I noticed the moist ground was carpeted with Skunk Cabbage along with a few patches of Pennsylvania Sedge with its bristly inflorescences. High above, a tall, flowering Weeping Willow caught my eye. Continuing south, the path turned grassy as it passed close to one of many small creeks where the yellow Marsh Marigold blossoms stood out among the fresh green foliage. Following the trail as it turned east, I paused to enjoy the scenery and listen to a drumming Woodpecker. Further ahead, I noticed the trunks of some trees had dark green spots on them which was caused by the growth of a leafy Liverwort. As the trail crossed over another creek, I stopped to look and listen. Leaving the trail, I walked about a hundred yards east to the edge of Marl Lake where I spotted a mother goose and her four goslings swimming off shore. Also, I was impressed by the clarity of the water along the shore. While turning around and heading back to the trail, I was greeted by a pair of noisy geese walking ahead of me. Retracing my steps back to the car, I was amazed to see the rusty red color of a decaying oak stump. After some research, I found out that near the end of the decomposition process, the tree cells break open exposing the reddish resin. Continuing west, I noticed the skull of a deer among the leaf litter as well as a patch of tiny blue blossoms of Woodland Phlox. Finally, we got back to the car and headed home.

April nears finish line

New season grabs hold

From the marsh’s edge

Blossoms of Marigold

Chipmunks scamper

On the forest floor

Looking for a carcass

Turkey Vultures soar

From a vernal pond

Leopard frogs sing

Nature comes alive

Glad tidings of spring

D. DeGraaf