April 19

Tuesday, Remi and I traveled 13 miles west of Alma to hike again at Camp Cutler, a 160-acre Boy Scout camp off Douglas Rd near Riverdale. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 59 degrees and a gentle breeze from the west. Parking outside the gate, we left the car and followed a 2-track east along the edge of a small stream where I noticed a small Goat Willow tree with its fuzzy male flowers. Continuing east, the trail took me into a wooded area along a muddy floodplain that was covered with green sprouts of Skunk Cabbage. Further ahead, the trail entered a large open field where I paused to observe a sign of spring as 2-3 Chipping Sparrows were perched high in nearby trees declaring their respective breeding territories. Upon further investigation of the field, I spotted some Reindeer moss on the ground as well as a blossoming Serviceberry tree. Next, I turned around and followed another trail south where I recognized the tiny yellow flowers of Oak sedge growing along the bank of the North Branch of the Pine River. From here the river flows southeast about a mile where it joins the South branch to form the main river channel. Also, along the trail, I saw some newly opened umbrella-like leaves of May apple as well as a decayed pine stump with its reddish resin-stained wood. Turning around again, I started back toward the car where I unknowingly disturbed a nesting pair of Sand hill Cranes who suddenly took off and let me know I was not welcomed there. Finally, we got back to the car and headed home.

Mid of April

Into the wild

Life and death

Are reconciled

Flesh and bone

Creature gives

Food to survive

Predator lives

Down the path

Barren field

Carcass aside

Sprouts revealed

D. DeGraaf