December 24

Last Friday, I drove 10 miles west of Alma to revisit the new nature trail in the 50-acre Lumberjack Park, north of Riverdale. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 36 degrees and a slight breeze out of the north. Leaving the car parked by the south trailhead off Madison Rd, I followed the Sugar Maple Trail north through a corridor of leafless hardwoods while listening to the call of a White-breasted Nuthatch. Continuing north, I descended the stairs and walked on the boardwalk over mud flats that showed some ice cover. Turning east, I hiked a short distance before turning north and beginning to cross the bridge over Mud Creek. Despite overcast skies, I paused halfway, faced eastward and acknowledge the morning sun as it reached its lowest solstice to usher in the winter season. Continuing over the bridge, I proceeded north, turned west down a slope and picked up the White Pine Trail as it headed to the northwest up another slope where I spotted some turkey scat on the leaf liter. Noting the shape, it mostly likely originated from a gobbler rather than a hen. Also, the dark portion is the fecal material while the white portion is crystalized urine. Reaching the north trailhead, I turned around and retraced my steps a short distance before veering right to follow the Riverview Trail. Proceeding southeast, I paused on a high bank to observe the Pine River flowing gently by. Continuing on the trail, I marveled at the numerous patches of green Foliose Lichens on the tree trunks. As the trail turned northward, I spotted a soccer-ball size Bald-faced hornets’ nest suspended from a branch high in the canopy. Continuing through a stand of mature pine trees, I came upon a decomposing log covered with fresh and edible Oyster Mushrooms. Back up the slope, I turned south and once again came to Mud Creek where I observed a small flock of noisy Chickadees fluttering through brush near the bank. After hiking back across the bridge, I spotted a lovely red cardinal nestled in the tangled underbrush. Back over the boardwalk, I followed the Sugar Maple Trail as it looped east, then south and then west back to the car to complete the hike before heading home.

You had barely left

When redwings arrived

My memory faded

When cattails thrived

Forgot about you

When summer came

Autumn commenced

It was still the same

You finally showed

O heavenly sphere

Winter sun

Glad you’re here

D. DeGraaf