March 28

Tuesday, Remi and I traveled 20 miles southeast of Alma to explore a rare section of the Bad River Watershed in Gratiot County that is accessable to the public. The early morning weather was overcast, misty with a temperature of 39 degrees and slight breeze from the east. After parking in the Hamilton Township Cemetery, I walked north to a steep bank overlooking the Bad River. This river originates 15 miles west of here near Ithaca, runs for another 25 miles east through St. Charles and empties into the Shiawassee River which then continues east into the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Descending the bank, I continued north to the river’s edge where I paused to take in the sights and sounds of this riparian landscape. Near shore in the shallow water, I spotted a few Unionid Mussel shells. As good indicators of environmental quality, their population around here has steadily declined due to polluted water. Next, I turned east and explored the river flats where I spotted: deer tracks in the mud, Sycamore leaves in the litter and various stages of Raccoon scat on a log. Turning around and heading west, I noticed many signs of Beaver activity including several gnawed stumps and a lodge. Growing on a nearby tree trunk, fresh Milk White Toothed Polypore fungi caught my eye while across the river, the song of a Field Sparrow caught my ear. I continued following the river west across Barry Rd and walked along a path just south of Edgewood Church of God property where I paused to scan my surroundings and listen to the sounds of early spring. Finally, I turned around, headed back to the car and took off for home.

Curtain opens

Stage in view

Nature’s cast

Take their cue

Cranes call

Redwings sing

Ducks on the pond

Geese on the wing

Enter the warmth

Exit the snow

Spring season

Rarin’ to go

D. DeGraaf

March 20

Monday, Remi joined me to hike again at Forest Hill Nature Area and to celebrate the Vernal Equinox. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 36 degrees and no wind. Leaving the parking lot, I headed west down Energy Hill to Mallard Marsh where I spotted a pair of Canada Geese that appeared to claim this area for nesting. Continuing west through Bobolink Meadow, I entered North Woods and paused at the large vernal pond that still had a layer of floating ice. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field and passed east through Birch Row which actually includes a mixture of Paper Birch and Quaking Aspen trees as indicated by some of the Aspen’s small fuzzy catkins littering the trail. Gazing skyward, I was drawn to the familiar call of Sand hill Cranes flying overhead. Turning south into South Woods, I came to the end of the boardwalk in Swanson Swamp where I was greeted by the sights and sounds of the opening of spring. Further down the trail, I came upon one of several Ash trees that was previously killed by the Ash Borer and recently blown over by strong winds. Walking over to examine the damage, I noticed the gallery pattern on the bark where the larvae had disrupted the vertical flow of nutrients to girdle and kill the tree. Exiting the woods, I made my way south past Sora Swale, around the south trail past Brady Cemetery and into Native Grassland where I paused to acknowledge the sun as it broke through the clouds and realized that a few hours ago it had crossed the celestial equator to begin warming our hemisphere. Next, I came to Grebe Pond where I caught a rare glimpse of a male Hooded Merganser as it rapidly swam toward the far shore. Finally, I continued north past the DeGraaf classroom building to the car and headed for home.

Orb of the heavens

Beaming bright

Sustainer of life

Grateful sight

Sun of the day

Gives us a sign

Ascending the sky

Reaching the line

Star of the earth

Warmth you bring

Crossed the equator

Welcome to spring

D. DeGraaf

March 15

Tuesday, Remi and I hiked once again at Lumberjack Park near Riverdale where I’ve been working on a nature trail that should be open to the public in a year or two. The early morning weather was sunny with a frigid temperature of 10 degrees and no wind. Leaving the parking area, I was greeted by the morning sun while hiking east on a trail covered with 3 inches of new snow and marked with fresh deer tracks. Just ahead, I wasn’t surprised to come upon a large Aspen tree that had blown over due to a recent windstorm. Continuing east, I paused on a high bank of the Pine River to watch the gentle current flow west to east and listen to the distinctive call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Further along the trail, I spotted some turkey tracks followed by a loud disturbance as half-dozen turkeys noisily flew from their roosts high overhead in the tall pines. Next, I stepped off the trail and walked to the edge of the river where I paused to notice the lovely reflection off the water of surrounding trees. Turning north, I came upon another large Pine tree that fell during the recent windstorm. Unfortunately, this one landed across the trail and will have to be cleared soon. Turning east, I came to the edge of Mud Creek where I paused to examine the bank for a place to construct a footbridge that will eventually connect the west and east sections of the trail system. After turning around to head back, Remi took the lead as we passed an old snag full of woodpecker holes. Finally, we reached the car, turned the heater on high and headed home.

Pack your bags with all the snow

Your days are numbered, need to go

Take your ice from the cattail marsh

Also winds that once blew harsh

Nature says its time to leave

Time to abate, time to relieve

Spring will be arriving soon

Its vernal sun and flower moon

Take the juncos but not the deer

Farewell winter, see you next year

D. DeGraaf

March 8

Wednesday, after a 2-month stay in California, Remi and I returned home to hike in familiar confines of Alma’s Conservation Park. The mid morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 41 degrees and strong gusty winds from the west. Leaving the parking area, I headed south on a paved road, curved west past the Eyer Learning Circle and paused by the bird feeders which were being visited by a few hungry Chickadees and a curious Fox Squirrel. Continuing west, I came upon a newly fallen Ash tree weakened by disease and blown over the trail by the strong wind. Looking skyward, I watched the canopy being stirred up by winds of 30 mph and gusts of 40mph. Turning south and passing the Girl Scout cabin, I came to another wooded area where a loud gunshot-like sound startled me as a 40-foot tree snapped and fell nearby. On the ground, I spotted some fresh Club Moss. Turning north, I followed another trail through the woods where I could barely make out a deer staring at me through the underbrush. Further along, I noticed a Red Pine tree trunk had been recently shredded by a Pileated Woodpecker. Also, the surrounding leaf litter indicated proximate trees of oak. Continuing north, I reached the edge of the Pine River and paused as the strong wind created whitecaps on the surface. Finally, we returned to the car to get out of the wind and head for home.

…Dear March, how are you, and the Rest –

Did you leave Nature well -

Oh March, Come right upstairs with me –

I have so much to tell - 

I got your Letter, and the Birds -    

The Maples never knew that you were coming –

 I declare - how Red their Faces grew -              

But March, forgive me -       

And all those Hills you left for me to Hue -           

There was no Purple suitable -      

You took it all with you…

Emily Dickinson