June 1

As a volunteer for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, I visit two of their 22 nature preserves annually to report on environmental quality. Today, under mostly sunny skies and mid-morning temperatures in the high 70’s, I make my way into the 1-acre Lake Steven preserve, located on the west side of Lake Steven, a small lake nestled in far eastern Montcalm County. Immediately, I pause to notice the lush woodland, dominated by immature Birch and Ash trees. After making my way through a patch of Sensitive Ferns, I come across a ¾ inch Spring Peeper, well camouflaged in the leaf litter. The peeping call of this tiny amphibian is a sure sign of spring in the wetlands. In the winter as temperatures dip below 32 degrees, these frogs start producing their own “antifreeze” to help preserve the most essential organs. Up to 70% of the frog’s body can freeze, to the point that the heart stops pumping and the frog appears to be dead. Continuing my walk, I notice blossoms of Wild Strawberry and Polypore Fungi on a Birch tree. After spotting a tiny resting White Satin Moth in the undergrowth, I pause to listen to the lovely song of a Warbling Vireo (stock photo). Brown-headed Cowbirds frequently deposit their own eggs in the nests of this species (stock photo). In some instances, the vireo pair incubates the alien egg and raises the young cowbird until it fledges. Arriving at the water’s edge, I enjoy a cool breeze while looking at the lily pads floating on the outflow channel of Lake Steven and listening to Redwing Blackbirds accompanied by a single strum from a Green Frog. Moving along the shore, I watch one tiny Sweat Bee feeding on a blossom of Daisy Fleabane and another one feeding on blossoms of a Service Berry tree. Also, I notice Honeysuckle and Dogwood shrubs are blossoming. Turning around, I begin retracing my steps when my ears perk up to a trio of bird songs coming from a Mourning Dove, a Redwing Blackbird and a Yellowthroat. Near the end, I spot yellow blossoms of Butterweed. Finally, I find the car and head home to Alma.

Mid morning concert

Beside the placid lake

Chipping of a Chipmunk

Quack of a Mallard drake

Shrill of a posing Redwing

Protecting its nesting site

Honk of a Canada goose

Before it takes to flight

Strum of a Green Frog

Call of a mother Loon

Mother Nature’s chorus

Hails the start of June

D. DeGraaf