July 13

This morning, I’m near the small village of Elm Hall as I begin my fourteenth encounter with the Pine River. Since March, I’ve followed the main branch of the river upstream about 30 miles from its mouth in my quest to travel its entire length, some 20 miles yet to go. With sunny, hot and humid weather, I make my way from the car to the river’s edge while passing blossoms of Crown Vetch, Bouncing Bet and St. John’s Wort. After descending the steep roadbed, I pause on the bank to take in the riparian sights and sounds. Looking around, I spot a Song Sparrow perched in a Maple tree above me and a patch of Common Arrowhead near shore. The common names of Duck potato and Wapato for Arrowhead are in reference to the enlarged rounded starchy golf ball-sized tubers that form at the ends of underground plant runners (stock photo). These tubers are edible when roasted or boiled. They were important food sources of indigenous peoples and in some areas are still valued as such. Unable to find a suitable path to follow, I cross a bridge in search of another access point where I notice blossoms of Queen Anne’s Lace, Chicory and Common Mullein. In the meantime, I stop to listen to the mimicking songs of a Gray Catbird, perched high in a dead Ash tree. Proceeding south through dense undergrowth, I come upon a small Single-dotted Wave Moth and a Goldenrod plant displaying a fresh nut gall. This growth, that contains the larvae of a Goldenrod gall fly, is a common sight this time of year.  Just ahead, I find the river again as it has widened into a large wetland. Turning around, I begin retracing my steps as I pass by ripening fruit of wild Raspberries and Honeysuckle while a refreshing breeze sways the Cottonwood leaves overhead. Nearing the car, I stumble upon a colony of Formica ants scurrying about their shallow mound. Finally, I’m back to the car, turn on the AC and head for home.

 

Beauty of summer

settles over the river 

where a cardinal flower

flaunts its scarlet pedals, 

a wood duck drake parades

its coat of many colors.

In the murky depths

beauty awaits its cue.

An unsightly creature

heeds its inner call to

ascend and transform. 

Behold! Dragonfly, 

adorned with translucent

wings and body of 

iridescent green.

 

D. DeGraaf