August 29

Tuesday, in memory of Remi, I continued my quest to hike the entire length of the Heartland Trail between Edmore and Alma, one section at a time. The early morning weather was very foggy with a temperature of 57 degrees and a gentle west wind. Parking the car along Derry Rd., west of Vestaburg, I began hiking east through a shroud of fog where the heavy dew exposed many webs of funnel weaver spiders. Further ahead, I noticed webs of orb and mesh weavers. Continuing east, I spotted some green foliage that was changing colors with the season, including: bracken fern fronds, elm leaves and cherry leaves. Examining the vegetation more closely, I saw some Sassafras leaves that had been eaten by Japanese Beetles and White Oak leaves covered with Jumping Oak galls. Just ahead, I came upon some berries of Virginia creeper. Easily confused with edible Wild Grapes, these berries are highly toxic to humans and maybe fatal if eaten. Further east, as the trail moved out of woods into a meadow type landscape, I spotted a large patch of Common Mullein. Nearby, I spotted a green blob on a yellowing Milkweed leaf that turned out to be a tiny Gray Tree Frog. Also, a Field Grasshopper, hidden in the grass, caught my eye. After walking for about a mile, I came to a parking area off 2nd Ave. in the village of Vestaburg and turned around where I recognized the thick, waxy leaves of Black Oak. Continuing west, I glanced high up in a tall White Pine tree to see the orange fruit of American Bittersweet. This deciduous twining woody vine is best known for its showy, scarlet, berry-like seeds that will soon burst out of the orange casings and brighten up fall and winter landscapes. The fruit is poisonous if ingested, but considered to be quite tasty by many birds. Finally, I got back to the car and headed home.

Foliage floods my senses

Summer starts to wane

Other colors appear

Nature’s green domain

Virginia creeper climbs

Boldly showing red

Yellowing of the ferns

Slowly starts to spread

Orange invades sumac

Maple trees as well

Seasonal cycle turning

August bids farewell

D. DeGraaf