November 22

Tuesday, Remi and I traveled 20 miles north to Mt. Pleasant to hike in the 30-acre Chipp-A-Waters Park. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 21 degrees and no wind. Leaving the car, we hiked directly south to the edge of the Chippewa River where I paused to observe the swift current flowing east. Following the paved trail west, I noticed a major change in the landscape since we visited in March of 2015, that being the placement of large boulders along the outside bends of the meandering river to mitigate bank erosion. Also, I saw evidences of a hard freeze overnight including a small pond glazed with ice and frosty margins on leaves of invasive Garlic Mustard. Continuing west, a colorful male Cardinal perched in the pale, leafless underbrush caught my eye. Turning south, I walked across the river on the Brandell Bridge, paused to scan the scenic Veits Woods and gazed through the leafless canopy at a clear blue sky. Leaving the paved path, I followed a dirt trail west where I noticed patches of Winter Berry whose colors are a portend to the Christmas season. This shrub is a species of holly native to eastern North America and Canada. The berries attract and provide a significant food source to native birds and wildlife. In fact, over forty species of North American birds rely on these berries as part of their food source. However, they are poisonous and extremely toxic to humans. Back across the bridge, I turned west again and circled a wooded area where the leaf litter revealed it contained mostly oak and beech with a few maple. Also while scanning the landscape, I noticed a major change since I was here before as several large ash trees that had been killed by the Emerald Ash Border were cut down. Heading back toward the car, I looked up to see and hear a male Hairy Woodpecker searching for food. Similar to the Downy Woodpecker, this bird is larger and has a thicker beak. Following our shadows, we made it back to the car, turned the heater on and headed home.

Lifeblood of earth

What you bring

Your current calls

Your waters sing

Autumn treasures

Many you take

Colorful leaves

A Mallard drake

Vistas of beauty

On banks bestow

Chippewa River

I long to know

D. DeGraaf