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