October 14

The midmorning is sunny and cool as I hike west on the Meijer bike trail into the heart of the Vestaburg State Game Area, 3000 acres of some of the most undisturbed natural landscapes in mid Michigan. Right away, I spot an abandoned paper wasp nest overhead in a pine tree. Signs of the season are everywhere. Cessation of chlorophyll production in leaves of some maples, oaks and birch is evident as red, orange and yellow pigments begin to appear. Fronds of Royal fern are turning brown. Next, I pause to observe a few leaves wafting from a towering Cottonwood tree to the path near my feet. Continuing west, I notice most of the blossoms of Queen Anne’s Lace have seeded out and folded up into “nests”. I open one of them to discover a tiny Pickleworm maggot. Mostly found in the southern US, these crop-destroying larvae will turn into a colorful moth (stock photo). Just ahead, I get a close-up view of a ½ inch Spotted Cucumber Beetle resting on a Sow Thistle blossom. Like the Pickleworm, these insects are considered agricultural pests. As often happens, the Milkweeds I come across are sources of biological activity. Some plants display pods bursting open to expose their silky white seed floss. Others display Milkweed Bugs in various stages of development. Still others, display Yellow Bear caterpillars (a relative of Wooly Bears). Still heading west, I recognize a couple of invasive species; a patch of Phragmites stalks swaying in the breeze and a few blossoms of Spotted Knapweed. After walking about a mile, I turn around to retrace my steps when my attention is drawn to a chipmunk calling from the dense forest. Just ahead, I see a 1-inch Spring Peeper sunning itself on a Tag Alder leaf. Seldom seen but often heard, the “peeping sound of these amphibians is a welcome sign of spring. Finally, just before reaching the car, I discover some Japanese Beetles  devouring a leaf. Back in the car, I begin my re-entry into the comforts and distractions of human civilization.

Autumn in stride

Heron still wades

Colder winds blow

Goldenrod fades

Whining Cicadas

Brown Wooly Bear

Turtles go deep

Logs are now bare

Swallows gather

South they’ll go

Cattails explode

October show

D. DeGraaf