April 13

It is mid morning when Caroline and I venture to the Emma Burnham Outdoor Center, a 20-acre preserve in the neighboring town of St. Louis, MI. With sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50’s, we wander around a mature forest of leafless Beech, Oak and Maple punctuated by several vernal ponds. First thing I notice is some new spring greenery including: young Honeysuckle leaves in the understory and Tiger Lily leaves in the litter. Glancing eastward into the rising sun, I can barely make out the rotating blades of one of many wind turbines that are now common in the rural landscape of Gratiot County. The sight of moss patches growing on the east base of some large tree trunks reminds me of a misconception that they always grows on the north side. Next, I follow a tiny brown moth as it lands on a wooden surface where it is well camouflaged. Sounds of nature that break the quietude of our surroundings include: a Tufted Titmouse, a Wood Frog and several Chorus Frogs. With no defined trail to follow, we continue to meander over a heavy blanket of leaf litter where I pause to spot a sprinkling of Red Maple flowers in a shallow pool. Up ahead, I come upon a decaying stump that apparently was used as a dinner table for an acorn-eating squirrel. Exiting the woods, I spend several minutes exploring the edge of a small pond where I spot a partially submerged Leopard Frog hiding in the tangled vegetation. Nearby, I watch an 18-inch Garter Snake slithering near the shoreline. From the footbridge, I notice some willows beginning to seed out while others display pinecone galls. Slicing the galls open lengthwise at this time of the year will reveal a single midge fly larva (maggot) nestled in the center (stock photo). On our way back to the car, I come upon a mound of mud, called a crayfish chimney, produced by a burrowing crayfish that digs a tunnel to the water table and forms a chamber where it spends most of its time. This variety of crayfish is seldom seen, exiting its burrow only in spring and summer on rainy or very humid nights to forage for food or search for a mate. Finally, we reach the car and head for home to continue our social isolation.

First woodland flower

Gentle morning shower

Curious whitetail doe

Distant perching crow

Pussy willow seed

Broken cattail reed

Spring Chorus frogs

Decomposing logs

Placid pond scene

Lush moss of green

Middle April day

Nature’s grand display

D. DeGraaf