July 11

Tuesday, Remi and I traveled 17 miles west to continue our quest to hike the entire length of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail from Edmore to Alma. The early morning weather was sunny, some haze with a temperature of 64 degrees and no wind. Parking the car along the edge of Deja Rd., we followed the paved trail east toward the rising sun where I spotted a Black Honey Ant resting on a Milkweed stem. Continuing east, I pausing to observe a Gray Field Slug crawling at a “snail’s pace” across the path. Also, I could see the trail of mucus it secretes to help it move more efficiently. Resuming the hike, I could see a Cottontail Rabbit sitting still along the trail before it saw us and scampered ahead with its furry white tail bobbing up and down. Nearby, I came across a Tamarack tree showing off its reddish female cones and a Witch Hazel tree with leaves displaying cone galls caused by aphids. Further ahead, I paused to listen to the soothing sounds of a small, unnamed creek as it meandered through the woods next to the trail. According to the map, its flows northeast about a mile before emptying into Wolf Creek. Still bearing east, I stopped at a Milkweed plant to observe a mass of several hundred yellow baby Garden Spiders leaving their nest. While most of them will be easy prey for other spiders, insects and birds, some will survive to adulthood. Turning around, I began heading west where I got a glimpse of a resting Appalachian Brown Butterfly. Next, I paused to listen to a House Wren hidden in the pines. Approaching the starting point, I noticed a couple of juvenile Eastern Kingbirds perched in one of many dead ash trees. Finally, we found the car, quenched our thirst and headed home.

Nature’s treasures

Scent of sweet clover

Pigments of summer

Finches fly over

Nature’s lessons

To name each plant

Know each creature

Her wisdom to grant

Nature’s reminders

Respect for the earth

From macro to micro

All life has worth

D. DeGraaf