April 30

Last Saturday, I joined a small group of Chippewa Watershed Conservancy members to hike in the 78-acre, Sylvan Solace, another one of their preserves. The early morning weather was clear with a temperature of 43 degrees and a brisk wind from the northwest. From the parking area off W. Pickard Rd., we headed due south through a coniferous corridor of White, Jack and Scotch Pines as well as Blue and Norway Spruce. Along the way, I spotted a Chipping Sparrow perched high in one of the trees, singing loudly. Also, we came upon a large colony of Allegany Mound Ants that were just beginning to warm up and move around. Arriving at a clearing, I paused to look at and listen to a Rose-breasted Grosbeak perched high overhead. Turning west, I followed my shadow past stands of mature Big-tooth Aspen trees on our left. We continued on the trail as it turned south into a mature forest of hardwoods where the leaf litter showed mostly oaks as well as pile of feathers from a recent predator-prey incident. Just off the trail, we came upon a White Birch snag covered with a shelf fungus called Tinder Conk. As the name implies, they can be removed and used for catching sparks and creating smoldering coals. Continuing west, we came to a high bank overlooking the Chippewa River and spotted a Painted Turtle basking on a log as well as a breeding pair of Mallards swimming near the far shore. Climbing down the bank past some Pin Cushion Moss, we came to the river’s edge and paused to take in this peaceful riparian landscape. Nearby, we observed parts of a deer carcass. Back up the bank, we continued following the trail south and then east toward the rising sun where we paused to hear a distant Pileated Woodpecker. Nearby, we came upon one of many snags that had been recently shredded by one of these birds. Finally, we followed the trail as it turned back to the north and back to our cars.

Out of the womb of winter

In the season of birth

Mother Nature’s offspring

Emerge on the earth

Out of the soften soil

Come insects of the ground

Under soggy logs

Worms and slugs are found

Out of the swollen river

Mallard ducks appear

Out of the burgeoning forest

Come the hungry deer

D. DeGraaf

April 23

Last Friday, I stayed close to home and hiked again in Alma’s 50-acre, Conservation Park. The midday weather was sunny with a temperature of 41 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the northwest. From the parking lot, I followed a paved path west where I could see the Pine River on my right while on my left, remaining snow-cover from last weeks snow/ice storm. On the riverbank, I could barely make out a Song Sparrow perched in a leafless Dogwood shrub (can you find it?). Overhead, I observed the exposed, sac-like nest of a Baltimore oriole left over from last year. Continuing west, I paused on one of the decks where I spotted a Double-crested Cormorant perched on a log far out in the river. The noticeable crests on the head are a sign that it’s a breeding adult. Further ahead, I saw a perching male Goldfinch with it muted spring plumage that will soon turn golden yellow. Next, I turned south on a dirt road and passed the pump house where I watched a Fox Squirrel searching for its buried cache as well as a pair of Canada Geese taking off from one of the vernal ponds. Turning east and following the paved road a short distance, I stopped at the Eyer Bird Observation Hut where I could see a Dark-eyed Junco on one of the feeders. Nearby, high in a leafless Walnut Tree, I observed a perching male Cardinal calling for a mate. After turning around and retracing my steps back to the west, I proceeded south to the Girl Scout Cabin where a major remodeling project is taking place. Just east of the cabin, I paused by another vernal pond to listen to a very loud amphibian chorus of Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs. Following the trail as it curved east, I got a good look at a perching Red Squirrel and paused again at yet another vernal pond to hear the squeals of a Wood Duck along with the calls of Chorus Frogs. Continuing east, I entered the shade of a coniferous forest where I approached a curious deer. Next, I followed the trail as it curved north past mature Red, White and Jack Pine as well as White and Norway spruce. Finally, the trailed ended back at my car.

Calls of the wild

From a hill above

In the morning mist

A cooing dove

From forest afar

A cardinal tweets

From vernal pond

A peeper greets

Nature around me

My ears explore

As spring unfolds

She stirs once more

D. DeGraaf

April 16

Last Thursday, I traveled 16 miles southwest of Alma into Montcalm County to hike once again in the one-acre, Lake Steven Preserve, the smallest of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s 22 preserves. The mid afternoon weather was sunny with a temperature of 64 degrees and a strong wind from the west. Leaving the car parked off Birch Dr., on the west side of 20-acre, Lake Steven, I crossed the road and paused to scan the entire preserve that was dominated by medium-size deciduous trees including several White Birch. With no path to follow, I entered the woods and began noticing signs of new plant life emerging from the leaf litter including: Sphagnum Moss, Liverwort and Wild Strawberry. Suddenly, one of two frantic-flying American Woodcock took off from the ground and headed west. Moving east, I came to open water and realized the property abuts up to a wide outlet channel of the lake, not the lake proper. Looking around, I spotted a Canada goose defending a nearby nest and a couple of painted turtles basking on a log. After turning north along the channel bank, I was drawn inland by a familiar sign of spring, a chorus of Spring Peepers. Often heard but seldom seen, these tiny frogs spend the winter burrowed under logs and leaves while surviving the freezing temperatures by producing an anti-freeze like substance in their tissues. In early spring they thaw out and migrate to vernal ponds where they breed and sing. After breeding they disperse again to surrounding woodlands and swampy areas leading solitary lives. Turning around, I retraced my steps south along the channel bank where I noticed some old Beaver stumps. Continuing south, I flushed out a Great Blue Heron and its white counterpart, a Great Egret. While the Heron will most likely remain in the area to breed, the Egret will migrate south or the east coast to breed. After passing a large White Oak tree that still retained its leaves, I returned to the car and headed home.

Nature serenades me

Facing the midday sun

I hear a pheasant’s call

Before it begins to run

I hear a redwing’s shrill

Guarding its nesting site

I hear a honking goose

Before it takes to flight

I hear a croaking frog

Hidden beside the reed

I welcome every sound

Spring symphony indeed

D. DeGraaf

April 9

Last Friday, I stayed close to home and hiked once again at the 90-acre Forest Hill Nature. The early morning weather started out partly cloudy with a temperature of 32 degrees and a stiff northwesterly wind. Parking the car at the dead end of Adams road next to the Brady Cemetery, I followed the snow-covered trail west and then north to the top of Reflection Hill. After glancing down at Grebe Pond, I continued around the hilltop to observe a flooded Mallard Marsh where a pair of noisy geese caught my attention. Continuing around to the west, I descended the hill and followed my shadow along the trail where I both heard and spotted male Redwing Blackbirds as they began staking out their nesting territory. Nearby, I spotted the fuzzy male catkins on branches of a Pussy Willow tree as well as a single male Bufflehead swimming along the far end of Willow Wallow. This colorful waterfowl will be leaving soon for its summer breeding grounds in northern Canada or Alaska. Just ahead, I turned left and began to circle Succession Field where I was pleased to observe a few Field Sparrows fluttering through the leafless underbrush. Even though these birds are common residents during much of the year, once the underbrush leafs out, they are difficult to see. Turning west, I followed the path through Birch Row and then took a left into South Woods where I noticed some fresh squirrel tracks on my way to the edge of Swanson Swamp, pausing to take in this remote, scenic wetlands. Leaving South Woods, I made my way around to North Woods where a chorus of birds and gently falling snowflakes greeted me. Following the trail east, I paused to observe this peaceful vernal pond landscape. Just as I exited the woods and headed east, along came a snow squall. Picking up my pace, I managed to make out a few fading Pheasant tracks on the trail. Moving quickly past Mallard Marsh, I climbed up Energy Hill, passed the classroom building and paused briefly at the north shore of swollen Grebe Pond. While making my way south through Native Grassland, the sky began to clear and the sun broke through again. Finally, I returned to the car and headed home.

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.

Robert Frost 

April 2

Last Wednesday, I traveled 10 miles west of Alma to hike once again in the14-acre Stearns Preserve, another property of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. The mid morning weather was overcast with a temperature of 37 degrees and no wind. Leaving the car in the Heartland Trail parking lot in Riverdale, I headed north a short distance to a 1-acre field where I paused to look at and listen to a Robin perched high overhead in a leafless tree while a crow called from afar. Hiking east, I came to the edge of the Pine River and explored the bank where I noticed some new green growth including Eastern Woodland Sedge and Foxtail Grass. Turning south, I walked a short distance to the Meijer Heartland Trail and followed it east where I spotted a large patch of Horsetail and a few red berry clusters still hanging on the bare branches of Maple leaf Viburnum. Just ahead, I paused on the bridge to observe the rapid river current while listening to a distant Tree Sparrow. Proceeding east, I walked under a canopy of bowing Box Elder trees and paused to listen to a noisy Blue Jay. Also, facing north, I scanned several acres of muddy river flats dominated by mature leafless oaks and maples. Still heading east, I arrived at the Preserve boundary identified by a small yellow tree label, turned north and climbed down a steep slippery bank into a unique wooded area called a rich conifer swamp. This groundwater-influenced, forested wetland is dominated by Northern White Cedar growing on rich organic soil. This landscape is also referred to as cedar swamp. Walking around, I noticed the ground was covered with dead, scale-like cedar leaves, sedge, Pincushion Moss and decaying trunks displaying Blue-Green Lichens. Exploring the muddy wet ground, I noticed Skunk Cabbage sprouts, young Wild Ginger leaves under a thin sheet of ice and a few shells of the invasive Banded Wood Snail. Next, I climbed back up the steep slope to the Heartland Trail, turned west and began retracing my steps toward the car where I paused as a perching crow flew off over the river. Finally, I returned to the car and headed home.

Seasons have changed

Ice is still there

Ground is still frozen

Cold morning air

Warmer sun rises

Mostly silence around

Nature’s asleep

Except a lovely sound

I welcome its song

From a leafless tree

Robin of spring

You’re singing for me

D. DeGraaf