May 21

Last Saturday, Remi and I traveled 100 miles west of Alma to hike at the 189-acre Lake Harbor Park near the coastal town of Muskegon. The midday weather was sunny with a temperature of 70 degrees and a gentle westerly breeze off Lake Michigan. From the parking lot, we followed an earthen trail west into a dense forest of mature broadleaf trees and conifers where I noticed the leaf litter had large patches of both Periwinkle and fragrant, but toxic Lilly-of-the-valley Also, I recognized a few pink blossoms of Lunaria Silver Dollar and yellow blossoms of what appeared to be Rough Cinquefoil. Continuing west to the lakeshore, I paused to see that the water level remained high. It’s amazing to me that just three years ago, the level was at an all time low and since has risen four feet to near record high. Next, I turned around and headed inland on a boardwalk that took me over a sand dune down into a wooded area where I easily spotted a perching male cardinal. I’ve often wondered how these birds can be so conspicuous and yet survive predation. It turns out that they are probably bright and loud for the same reason: to advertise what good mates they’d make. Brighter males have higher reproductive success, hold better territories, and offer more parental care. By responding to redness as a sign of a promising mate, females have encouraged the evolution of bright coloring in males. Furthermore, they tend to have high survival rates because they don’t endure the stress of migration. Further down the path, I paused to enjoy the variable call of a perching Catbird. Continuing east, I came upon a tree whose bark had been recently eaten by a Porcupine. Also, beside the sandy trail, I spotted a few tiny white blossoms of Lyre-leaved Rock Cress. Finally, the trail led back to the car and we headed back to Alma.

Whitecaps ride the wind

Surf pounds the sand.

Scenes of the coast

Vistas that are grand

Sandpipers wade

Ring-bills soar

Scenes of spring

Up and down the shore

Freshwater treasure

Living things depend

Great Michigan Lake

Glad to see you again

D. DeGraaf

May 19

Thursday, Remi and I traveled 9 miles southwest of Alma to hike with a fellow outdoorsman through part of his 130-acre property along the Pine River. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 52 degrees and no wind. Leaving the car parked at his house, we headed south through an open field and stopped by a small vernal pond where the water was blackened by thousands of newly hatched tadpoles of the American Toad. Since female toads lay between 4000-8000 eggs, it was not surprising to see so many. Also nearby, mixed in with the grasses were some patches of Sheep Sorrel with their tiny red flowers. Historically, this plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments from inflammation and diarrhea to scurvy and cancer. What's interesting about this herb is that every single part of the plant can be used medicinally. Continuing south, we entered a forest of mature hardwoods where I spotted several blossoms of Swamp Buttercup as well as Arrow-leaved Violets. Just off the trail, I found a large, fresh Pheasant Back Mushroom. This edible fungus has an aroma similar to watermelon rind. Trudging through the flooded river flats, I noticed some white blossoms of Rock cress and blue blossoms of Woodland Phlox. Reaching the bank of the Pine River, we paused to observe the gentle easterly flow. Turning north, we saw evidence of Beaver activity including several gnawed stumps and an old lodge. Also, I spotted the delicate, fern-like leaves of Yarrow beginning to show themselves. Next, we turned around and headed east into another woodlot where I noticed some of the May Apples were beginning to bloom as well as Wild Geranium. Having completed our loop, we saw and heard a few geese out in the field. Walking north back to the house, we had to wash the mud off Remi before finally taking off for home.

Gone, winter white

From the forest ground

Below a closing canopy

Floor of lifeless brown

Next, the vernal sun

Warms the litter scene

Mosses and sedges

Introduce the green

Finally, spring colors

Long overdue

Finally, Mother Nature

Sprinkles violet blue

D. DeGraaf

May 9

Tuesday, Remi and I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area for our weekly nature hike. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 41 degrees and no wind. Leaving the car, I headed west and paused at the crest of Energy Hill to look at the western landscape. Next, I descended the hill and proceeded past Mallard Marsh where both male and female Redwings were busy tending to their nests, hidden in the cattails. Continuing west through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed a few yellow blossoms of Wild Mustard. I followed the trail through North Woods where the forest floor revealed large patches of Woodland Sedge, a few Wood Violets as well as a single Jack-in-the-pulpit. Exiting the woods, I circled west around Succession Field and passed through Birch Row where I paused to look and listen to a Yellow Warbler, perched high overhead. Turning into South Woods, I stopped on end of the boardwalk on Swanson Swamp to scan this remote wetland. Shortly after leaving the woods and turning east, I noticed an apple tree was beginning to blossom. Following the perimeter trail south and east, I made it to Native Grassland where I paused at the grove of Box Elder trees to listen to the multiple calls of a Catbird. Just ahead, I could see that Grebe Pond was clear and quiet. Continuing north, I noticed to the east across Rich Rd. that construction of the neighbor’s new house was nearly finished. Approaching the barn, I spotted a Pied-billed Grebe swimming near the pond’s shore. Note: the black band on its beak is only there during breeding season. Finally, we found the car and headed for home.

So many hikes, so many times

So many miles, so many climbs

Much we’ve seen, much we’ve heard

Lots of creatures, beast and bird

Memories of vistas, above and below

Clouds of sky and drifts of snow

Memories of wildlife, west to east

Favorite flora, large to least

A need to explore, a place to fulfill

Remi and me at Forest Hill

D. DeGraaf

May 3

Tuesday, Remi stayed home while I drove 9 miles west of Alma to hike in part of 50-acre, Lumberjack Park. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 50 degrees and no wind. Starting from a small parking area on the north side of the Pine River, I hiked east into a wooded area where a patch of May apple caught my eye. Veering southeast along a high bank of the Pine River, I paused to hear the noisy call of a Pileated Woodpecker. Further ahead, I spotted a small cherry tree where many half inch-long Tent Caterpillars were emerging from their silk nests ready to feast on the new leaves. Approaching the wet ground close to Mud Creek, I noticed a few fiddleheads of sprouting ferns. Also, I came upon a pile of Wild Turkey feathers which were likely leftover from a kill by a predator such as a coyote or fox. Stopping next to the creek, I enjoyed the music of a bird trio made up of a Canada gooseand two Black-capped Chickadees: one singing its typical song, another singing its “fee-be” song. Moving up to higher ground, I looked up to admire a clear blue sky through a canopy of White pine needles mixed with blossoms of the Muscle Wood tree (Blue Beech). After retracing my steps back to the car, I drove around to the east side of the park off Madison Rd. to resume my hike. Heading north into a wooded area, I spotted blossoms of both Bloodroot and Spring Beauty among the leaf litter. Continuing north, I once again descended into the flood plain of Mud Creek, now on the opposite side, where I noticed a scattering of violets, both Wood and Downy Yellow. With no trail to follow, I trudged my way through dense patches of Prickly Ash and flowering Spicebush. Also, I stopped to observe a colorful Six-spotted Tiger Beetle resting on a log. This half-inch long, carnivorous insect preys on spiders and other insects.  Finally, I turned around, retraced my steps back to the car and headed home.

Stage is set

May’s opening scene

Curtain rises

Maples hint of green

Nature takes her place

Moving through spring

Her violets bloom

Amphibians sing

Back from the south

Right on cue

Swooping the river

Swallows of blue

D. DeGraaf