December 13

Monday, I hiked another leg of the Meijer Heartland Trail as part of my effort to cover the entire stretch from Edmore to Alma. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 19 degrees and light snow flurries being blown by a light southeasterly wind. Leaving the car parked along side Rich Rd., I headed east on the path being covered with a fresh blanket of snow while displaying lots of deer and rabbit tracks. Also, the accumulating snow was a visual asset to some of the surrounding vegetation including: milkweed, goldenrod and white pine. Continuing east, I paused on a bridge to observe the icy waters of Honeyoey Creek flow rapidly from north to south. Unlike many of the drains along the trail, I noticed that this one has wider banks with more natural habitat for wildlife. Also, the creek flows for another mile to the southeast before emptying into the Pine River west of Alma. Just ahead, I spotted a Fox Squirrel scampering across the path. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I quickly located its fresh tracks and was not only able to observe details of its paws but also measure the distance of its leaps which was surprisingly about 4 feet. After a mile, I turned around at Winans Rd. and headed west where I soon came upon a frozen Raccoon carcass. Being close to the road, I suspected this was a recent road kill that was dragged to this location and fed upon by scavengers. Continuing west, the white landscape also made it easier to spot what remained of a variety of red fruit including: Viburnum, Crab Apple, Bittersweet and Rose Hips. Also, through the thick underbrush I caught a quick glimpse of a Fox Squirrel before it scurried off. Finally, I made it back to the car, dusted off the snow and headed home.

Robe of autumn falls

Mighty oak stands bare

Creature scampers up

Toward his leafy lair

Hightailing skyward

Filling his cache

Over furrowed bark

Along branches gray

Perched in a crotch

Mate lingers near

Through barren twigs

Snow clouds appear

D. DeGraaf