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