May 7

Last Wednesday, I traveled 22 miles southeast of Alma to the village of Maple Rapids to hike in part of Clinton County’s Maple River State Game Area. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and a gentle westerly wind. Leaving my car parked at the dead end of W. Maple Rapids Rd., I followed a dirt road back to the southeast where I noticed a patch of blossoming Wood Anemones just off the trail. On the other side of the trail, I spotted a few Purple Cress blossoms. Continuing southeast, I came to the edge of the placid Maple River and paused as the slow moving current flowed east to west. The muddy shore displayed deer and fox tracks as well as Crayfish chimneys. Hopping through the brush nearby was a White-crowned Sparrow. Just ahead, I veered south off the trail into an open field where I paused by a vernal pond to hear the chorus frogs sing their mating song while a male Redwing Blackbird perched on an old stump. Gazing toward the woods, I could see the Honey Suckle beginning to leaf out in the understory while on the ground nearby, dandelions were beginning to flower. Back on the road, I was amazed by the number of large Ash trees that were dead or dying from the Emerald Ash Borer. After approaching one of these trees and removing some of the bark, I could see the serpentine galleries made by EAB larvae including some packed with dried frass (excrement). With so many trees dying and falling, this wooded area will look quite different five years from now. Far ahead, I watched a family of deer cross the road. Turning around, I retraced my steps back to the car and beyond into another wooded area where I paused to hear a serenading Tufted Titmouse. On the ground, I spotted several acorn caps from Bur Oak trees with their distinctive burs, a well as a few Woodland Violets beginning to display their blossoms and raccoon scat. Also, hanging out over the river, I noticed a maple tree sprouting new leaves. Finally, I returned to the car and headed home.

A rhythm to nature

A pace to my walk

Ears perk up

On the one I stalk

I look to the woods

Tracks in the muck

It’s hard to tell

I think it’s a buck

He stands and stares

In the morning haze

Whitetail of spring

A sight to amaze

D. DeGraaf