June 21

Wednesday, Remi and I traveled 32 miles northwest of Alma to hike again in the 160-acre, Hall’s Lake Natural Area. Located east of Remus, this property includes three preserves owned and operated by the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 57 degrees and no wind. Leaving the car at the east entrance, I hiked north down a 2-track into a dense woods dominated by oak, maple and aspen and paused to glance at the sun in recognition of its summer solstice that occurred earlier in the morning. Next, I followed a trail west into an area referred to as the Red Pine Plantation. Planted some 40 years ago, these tall evergreens have created what is called a “Biological Dessert” on the surrounding forest floor. Nearby, I came upon a few deer bones including one from the pelvis region and an old Birch tree trunk with a pattern of holes made by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Continuing west towards Hall’s Lake, I turned north to take in the sights and sounds along the trail. Further ahead, I spotted: some Yellow Wax-cap Mushrooms and Running Cedar Club Moss in the leaf litter, a variety of ferns including: Bracken, Royal and Ostrich as well as an abandoned Tent Caterpillar nest. After turning around to retrace my steps, I came upon a noisy Gray Catbird that appeared to be protecting its nesting territory. Sure enough, nearby, I spotted one of its fledglings perched in a nearby tree, ready to test its wings. While spending their spring and summer here in Michigan, most of these birds migrate to Central America for the fall and winter. Approaching the car, I decided to turn north to quickly check out the deer exclosure. Constructed a few years ago, this fenced-off area is meant to study the impact of deer browsing on forest vegetation. Finally, we turned around and made it back to the car for our trip home.

You had barely left

When maples turned gold

Started to miss you

When November blew cold

Began to wait

When nights were long

Waited some more

When ice was strong

Longed for you

When deer were lean

Hope you’d come soon

To spread your green

You finally arrived

Been almost a year

Welcome back summer

Glad you’re here

D. DeGraaf