April 6

After suffering from cabin fever for several days, I’m pleased to escape the confines and find a cure in the natural world. With the early morning sun shining bright and a temperature just above freezing, I stand at the mouth of the Pine River as it completes its eastward journey and converges with the Chippewa River (upper right channel) at the Chippewa Nature Center, near Midland. During the next six months, I plan to follow the Pine River upstream to its source some 50 miles northwest of here in the tiny village of Remus, exploring and describing the natural history of access areas along the way. With no humans in sight, I’m not worried about social distancing as I hike along the south riverbank while spotting a male Redwing Blackbird perched high and a Junco, perched low. While the Redwings have recently arrived from the south, the Juncos will soon depart for the north. Continuing to follow the river channel, I pause to catch a glimpse of a male Common Merganser riding the current down stream. Along the way, I recognize two bird songs that speak of spring: a Tufted Titmouse and a Northern Cardinal. Exploring the bank more closely, I notice patches of moss and a muskrat hole. Just ahead, a fallen Ash log reveals a pattern of serpentine furrows made by Ash Borer larvae that girdled the tree and killed it before it fell. Also, another fallen log displays the reddish color resin found in its core. Glancing skyward, I look and listen to a few noisy geese soaring over the river. Further along, I stop at an observation deck to scan the river channel revealing a narrow islet in the middle. Next, I come upon a 3x5 ft. wood and metal structure on the ground placed there by the Nature Center to harbor a variety of warm and cold- blooded creatures. After lifting it up, I’m not surprised to find nothing alive due to the near freezing temperature. As I move ahead, I first pass under the open canopy of deciduous trees and then the closed canopy of conifers. Turning around to face the sun, I follow a paved path through the tree shadows to a small cattail marsh that has yet to show evidence of spring. Finally, I reach the car and head home to hunker down like most humans on earth.

Out of the barren winter
Comes a time of birth
Mother Nature’s offspring
Emerge from the earth
Out of softening soil
Ants scurry around
Out of decaying litter
Sprouts from the ground
Out of the swollen river
Mallard ducks appear
Out of a burgeoning forest
Comes the hungry deer 

D. DeGraaf