July 25

Wednesday, Remi was back in Alma, while I hiked on the beach by our vacation rental house on the west side of Beaver Island. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 60 degrees and a slight breeze off Lake Michigan. After being away for a year, I headed due west down the boardwalk and paused to take in the welcome sights and sounds of the lake. Heading south along the beach, I noticed the record-high lake level was flooding the shoreline and drowning some trees and shrubs. Further down the beach, I spotted blossoms of Hoary Puccoon and stopped to enjoy the herbal aroma of Lake Huron Tansy blossoms. Next, I arrived at a vernal pond created by the high lake level and noticed both a June Bug (May Beetle) and a Common Blue Damselfly clinging to a reed as well as one of many ½-inch American Toad tadpoles swimming just beneath the surface. It takes 40-70 days for these toads to develop from an egg to a terrestrial form. Nearby, the beach sand displayed tracks of the recent movements of Herring Gulls. Continuing south, I watched both a male and a female Black Meadowhawk dragonfly land on the beach. Also, remembering that I saw very few Monarch Butterflies last year, I was pleased to see one of many flying around and feeding on Milkweed flowers. Skirting the edge of another vernal pond, I couldn’t help but notice the movement of dozens of 1/2 inch, baby American Toads as they hopped over the sand. A short distance away, I spotted a 2 1/2-ft Northern Water Snake slithering along looking for food with the vulnerable baby toads being a likely source. The dainty blossoms of Water Horehound also caught my eye. Finally, I turned around and headed back to the house.

Year has come and gone

Greet you once more

Your rhythmic waves

Lap the scenic shore

Above a breezy beach

Soar some Arctic Terns

Beyond the rolling surf

Turquoise water churns

Out among the shallows

Swims a water snake

You’re a welcome sight

Great Michigan Lake

D. DeGraaf