August 13

Last Thursday, I drove 34 miles northwest of Alma to hike in the 100-acre, Bundy Hill Preserve, Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s latest acquisition. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the west. Leaving the parking area off W. River Rd., I headed south on a 2-track where I noticed a patch of Smartweed near my feet. Soon, I came to a 2-3 acre meadow covered with the pink blossoms of the invasive Spotted Knapweed. Wandering around the perimeter, I spotted: a Tussocks Moth caterpillar on a Milkweed leaf, a Field Grasshopper barely visible in the grass (can you find it?) and a Lesser Cream Wave Moth resting on a Raspberry leaf. Next, I began ascending the hill on the McNeel Trail where I paused to look at a Cairn. The word “cairn” comes from a Gaelic term meaning “heap of stones.” One of its purposes is to guide hikers by marking a turn in the trail. More recently, cairn construction involves the art and science of rock balancing. Nearby, I noticed a decaying stump of a Red Oak exposing the reddish heartwood. After passing the huge “Bundy Boulder”, I arrived at the summit where the view to the south was limited by leaf cover and morning haze. Following the newly created Summit trail, I began my descent where I observed three kinds of edible fungi: Chicken of the Woods, Spiny Puffballs and tiny Scarlet Wax caps. Following the meandering trail through a grove of immature Big Tooth Aspens, I came upon a patch of Sweet Fern and a few blossoms of Pink Beardtongue. Further down the hill, I paused to hear two Eastern Towhees exchanging calls. Continuing my descent, I stirred up a flock of several dozen Grackles (with a few Redwing Blackbirds mixed in) as they flew rapidly through the dense canopy. It's normal for these birds to flock together after the nesting season to forage for food and roost in a patch of woods. Finally, I reached the base of the hill as the trail led me back to the parking lot where I hopped in the car and headed home.

Birds begin their tunes

As I walk in early day

A wildlife sanctuary

Nature shows the way

Trail for me to follow

Path that leads me on

From the forest glade

To the hill beyond

Climbing past the oaks

Still higher and higher

Finally reached the top

A vista to admire

D. DeGraaf