March 26

Last Thursday, I drove 18 miles northwest of Alma to hike in another section of Montcalm County’s Edmore State Game Area. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 21 degrees and still air. Leaving the car parked near the corner of Little Field Rd. and South County Line Rd, I proceeded south a few hundred feet and paused on the edge of the meandering Pine River as it gently flowed southeast toward Alma. Turning west with the morning sun at my back, I followed a trail marked by shadows of tree trunks and a covering of oak leaves. Just in front of me, I noticed an oak tree with a large burl attached. These “tumors” yield an unusual grain pattern, prized for its beauty and sought after by furniture makers, artists, and wood sculptors. Because the ground was still frozen, I had a rare opportunity to venture off the trail and explore the extensive river flats surrounding the main river channel. Among my findings were emerging sprouts of skunk cabbage, a sure sign of spring. Another sign was the small red flower buds of Silver Maples, both on the barren ground and in the leafless treetop. Scattered around the dark-colored mud, I noticed deposits of lighter colored sand. Upon closer investigation, I spotted several tiny shells of River Fingernail clams, most of them less than a centimeter in diameter. Continuing to explore this surprisingly tranquil landscape, I came face to face with a Canadian mother goose sitting still on her nest in a discreet posture with her head near the ground. After backing off, I noticed her mate nearby ready to defend. Returning to higher ground, I retraced my steps past my car and continued east along a steeper riverbank where I could see lots of evidence of beaver activity including some old stumps and tree trunks as large as 18 inches in diameter that had been recently gnawed. It was easy to see why these mammals are called the lumberjacks of the rodent world. After turning around, I took one last look at this scenic riparian landscape and headed back to the car.

Field and forest

Meandering flow

Carving the earth

Onward you go

Current speaks

Clear and concise

Scouring rocks

Sculpting ice

In snowy banks

Waters confine

Nature’s creation

River called Pine

D. DeGraaf

MARCH 19

Last Saturday, as part of my goal to visit all 22 of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy preserves this year, I joined a small group of fellow members to hike in the 40-acre, Audubon Woods Preserve. The early morning weather was clear with a temperature of 21 degrees and a slight northerly wind. Also, since today was St. Patrick’s Day as well as close to the Vernal Equinox, our quest included looking for any green vegetation, both old and new. Parking are cars along Gilmore Rd, we entered the preserve and followed the Water Thrush Trail north as it descended a snow- covered slope through a dense forest of tall, leafless deciduous trees. Patches of leaf litter on the path showed that many of them were Oak, Aspen and Maple. The understory included some small Beech trees that still held their dead leaves. Our first sighting of green included mosses and lichens as well as some evergreen trees scattered throughout the woods including: White Pine and Canadian Hemlock. Proceeding north down the slope we paused to observe a few clumps of Woodland Sedge beginning to green out. Nearing the river, we got off the trail and ventured down onto the flood plain to admire the Chippewa River as it flowed fast and full east toward Mt. Pleasant. Meanwhile, a member of the group brushed away some snow to expose green fronds of a Christmas fern. Continuing west along the riverbank, we noticed the green color of a Northern White Cedar on the far shore. Turning south, we followed the Flycatcher Trail up the slope where we spotted several large glacial erratics, large rocks transported by glaciers thousands of years ago. Also, we noticed one of many snags where a Pileated Woodpecker had pecked in search for food. Approaching the south boundary of the preserve, we turned east and followed the trail through hilly glacial terrain where we paused to listen to a Nuthatch and a Sand hill Crane. Finally, after crossing a small vernal stream being fed by meltwater, we continued east back to the trailhead to end the hike.

In the midst of March

Old man winter won’t let go

Seasons are about to change

Ground still keeps the snow

Hiking through a silent forest

Naked maples in a sea of white

Squirrel tracks to my left

Whitetail tracks to my right

Turning into a stiff north wind

Hands are cold, cheeks numb

Few sounds of singing birds

Few clues of spring to come

D. DeGraaf

March 12

After coming back home to Michigan nine days ago, I returned to Lumberjack Park to hike on the nature trail that I’m helping to develop. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 27 degrees, light snow flurries and no wind. Leaving the car at the south trailhead off Madison Rd., I headed north on a path covered with 4 inches of fresh snow where I immediately noticed several fresh squirrel and turkey tracks. Continuing north, I walked on the boardwalk over the wetlands where I paused to observe a partially frozen puddle while listening to a Cardinal sing, a sign of the changing seasons. Just ahead, I paused in the middle of the new bridge to look at and listen to Mud Creek. A short distance beyond the creek, I turned east, then south and followed the trail through a dense growth of tall Red and White Pines where a noisy crow greeted me. Continuing south, I came to the edge of the Pine River where I paused to take in this scenic riparian landscape. Following the trail west along the riverbank, I came upon a pair of swimming Canada Geese who suddenly took to flight while making quite a ruckus. Continuing west, I glanced skyward to note the open canopy of leafless deciduous trees. Just ahead, I spotted a patch of Foliose lichen growing on a tree trunk. After reaching the other trailhead off Lumberjack Rd., I turned east and followed the trail through a grove of mature white pine where a few small beech trees in the understory still retained their dead leaves. Nearby, I noticed lots of deer tracks in the snow as well as a White Pine tree trunk with several fresh holes made by a Pileated Woodpecker. This colorful bird chips out these large holes with its long sharp bill, searching for Carpenter Ants and wood-boring beetle larvae. It has a long sticky barbed tongue that it sticks in them to pull out its prey. Later on these holes will host a diverse array of other birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates which use them for feeding, shelter and nesting. Proceeding eastward, I looped back to an earlier trail, retraced my steps across Mud Creek, back over the wetlands and finally to the car.

Spring starts to pull

Winter won’t let go

One warms the ground

Other returns the snow

One thaws the pond

Welcoming the geese

Other refreezes water

Nesting efforts cease

One brings Redwings

Songs from the marsh

Other keeps the wind

Still cold and harsh

D. DeGraaf

March 5

Last week, near the end of our California winter retreat, Caroline and I hiked at the 10-acre, Pelican Cove Park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The mid-day weather was sunny with a temperature of 58 degrees and a gentle westerly sea breeze. Leaving the parking area, we headed south to the trailhead and paused to gaze down at scenic Pelican Cove. Next, while descending the steep bluff, I spotted a Brown Pelican and some Double-Crested Cormorants perched on a rock formation just offshore. Reaching the rocky beach, I noticed a large strip of seaweed along the water’s edge. Referred to as “wrack”, this organic material is a mixture of marine and salt marsh plants deposited on the beach by high tides. It supports numerous species of invertebrates, including these tiny Kelp Flies feeding in a mat of Kelp. The wrack is also a source of food for several kinds of shore birds including this Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper I observed hopped among the rocks. Continuing on a path south along the base of the bluff, I spotted some colorful blossoms including: Flowering Ice Plant, Buckwheat and Sea Rocket. Nearby, I could barely make out a Rock Wren, well camouflaged against the rock face. Off shore, the surf pounding against the rocks reminded me how thousands of years of wind and water have shaped this coastline. After turning around to retrace my steps, I glanced skyward to watch some soaring Brown Pelicans. A feeding Pelican can spot a fish from high in the air and dive headfirst into the ocean, tucking and twisting to the left to protect its trachea and esophagus from the impact. As it plunges into the water, its throat pouch expands to trap the fish, filling with up to 2.6 gallons of water. Occasionally, it feeds by sitting on the surface and seizing prey with its bill. Finally, I ascended the steep trail and returned to the car for our trip back to Redondo Beach.

Vast waters

Mighty blue

East bound

Bid adieu

Setting sun

Scenic shore

Gulls hover

Breakers roar

Images stored

Thoughts adhere

Pacific Ocean

Back next year

D. DeGraaf