August 31

A few hours after an early morning thunderstorm, I pause under mostly cloudy skies to view the swollen Pine River as it flows swiftly from north to south under the Schmied Rd. bridge, 4 miles north of Vestaburg in Montcalm County. After being away for a few weeks, I resume my quest to explore the river at access points upstream to its source near Remus in Mecosta County.  Along the east bank, I spot an Elm tree with discolored leaves. This dead tissue along the edge of the leaves is a condition called Bacterial Leaf scorch or marginal leaf burn. This symptom develops when sufficient water does not reach the leaf margin cells because bacteria invade and plug the water conducting vessels (xylem) in the plant. Further along,  I notice a large patch of blossoming Goldenrod along with a chorus of crickets. Upon closer look, I can see both Canadian and Lanced-leaf goldenrod in the mix as well as some Heath aster in bloom. Nearby, I come upon a showy, 1- inch Milkweed Tussocks Moth caterpillar that will eventually transform into a 1-inch moth (stock photo). With a few drops of rain falling, I make my way back to the river’s edge and pause to look and listen as the water flows by. Moving away from the bank into the muddy floodplain, I hardly notice a 1-inch Wood frog as it blends well against the dark colored ground. Up ahead, I observe a small patch of Smartweed as well as an immature, 8-inch Garter snake, alert to my presence. As the sun breaks through the clouds, I make my way back across the bridge into the dense understory near the west bank where I see a few Green-headed Coneflowers as well as a patch of Water Hemlock, one of the deadliest poisonous plants in North America. It contains a toxin called cicutoxin, a violent convulsant, which acts as a stimulant in the central nervous system. Ingestion of any part of the plant can be fatal, with symptoms occurring from 15 minutes to 6 hours afterward. Turning around and making my way back to the car, I pass by Jewelweed and Wild Cucumber in bloom as well as a 16-inch diameter Cottonwood tree trunk that had been gnawed on by a Beaver awhile ago. While the task was incomplete, I notice the V-shaped cut was made on the correct side of the trunk that would allow the huge tree to fall directly into the river. Finally, back to the car for my 17-mile trip to my Alma home.

On the edge of August,

the river welcomes me back

with her late summer songs.

Duet of Cicadas buzz from

willow tops. Gentle current

babbles softly over bottom boulders.

Immersed in duckweed, Green frogs

strum their stuff. Kingfisher

calls from above while patrolling

water below. Familiar tunes 

celebrate my riparian reunion.

 

D. DeGraaf

August 24

The mid-morning is mostly sunny with temperatures in the upper 60’s as Caroline and I explore one of many sand dunes on the southeast shore of Beaver Island (stock photo). We begin by following a trail over the densely forested back dune dominated by mature conifers including: White Cedar, White Spruce, White Pine and Canadian Hemlock displaying their 1-inch, male cones. Along the way, I spot some dense Foliose lichens clinging to dead cedar branches as well as withering Cup fungi clinging to a decaying trunk. As sunlight penetrates the canopy, illuminating the undulating trail before us, we listen to the summer song of a Cicada. Leaving the shaded back dune, I begin to explore a wide-open transition zone where I come upon patches of Ground juniper displaying clusters of blue berries. Grand Rapids based Long Road Distillers harvests berries like these from Beaver Island as an ingredient in making their famous gin called MICHIGIN. Nearby, Bearberry groundcover shows off its red, edible berries. When eaten raw, they are dry, mealy, and almost tasteless. On the other hand, cooking them brings out their natural sweetness, making them taste similar to cranberries. Still within the transition zone, I see: a couple of Monarch butterflies fluttering about, a Spotted Skimmer dragonfly and a Painted Lady butterfly, barely visible perching next to some Star grass. Also, within this zone, I spot a few blossoms of Hoary Puccoon and seed heads of Sand Reed grass waving in the refreshing lake breeze. Moving ahead to the foredune, I notice the dried seed pods of Dune thistle, a single blossom of Beach Pea and one of several 1½-inch Seaside grasshoppers resting on the sand between flights. The foredune also displays a Monarch caterpillar feeding on a Milkweed leaf and a Monarch chrysalis hanging from a blade of Beach grass. This pupa stage in the butterfly’s life cycle takes 10-14 days. The darkening color of this one indicates it is more than halfway in its metamorphosis to an adult. After completing my dune hike, I make my way down to the water’s edge to join Caroline as she searches the beach for attractive stones.

On a soft, sandy cushion I stand before

her as seagulls bob on rolling swells and

expanse of her water reaches the horizon afar.

High above, an Eagle soars in search of a 

Small Mouth while below, a stiff westerly 

pushes whitecaps into view. From an azure sky, 

midday sunlight reflects on her glistening liquid 

with its layers of turquoise and navy-blue 

while the shore beats a rhythm of lapping waves.

A farewell panorama of the great Michigan Lake 

that clears my mind for challenges ahead.

 

D. DeGraaf

August 17

The weather is pleasant and Lake Michigan water is calm as I take an early morning stroll along the eastern shore of Beaver Island. Immediately, the beach surface reveals tracks of a seagull, a fellow human as well as a fresh 12-inch Carp carcass. Up ahead, I notice blossoms of Huron Tansy and one of many fallen trees, evidence of shoreline erosion due to record high lake levels. The latest observed value of 579.82 ft is the highest recorded level in Lake Michigan since July of 1998 (stock photo). Continuing north, I come upon another result of high lake levels-shoreline flooding which has created a temporary pond that is now a flourishing habitat for wildlife, including a Solitary Sandpiper, a toothpick-thin Bluet Damselfly, an Autumn Meadowhawk Dragonfly and even dozens of Mosquitoes. Along the water’s edge, I spot blossoms of Yarrow, Water Horehound as well as a ½-inch American Toad, hopping through flood debris. Nearby, I come upon, blossoms of Harebell and Bladder Campion as well as a Milkweed plant teeming with ½-inch, baby Tussock Moth caterpillars. After glancing toward the lake at the rising sun, I proceed north and pause to take in the scenic coastal landscape. Just ahead, a resting White Admiral butterfly catches my eye as well as a feeding Northern Flicker. Turning around to retrace my path, I spot one of dozens of Monarch Butterflies either perching like this one or fluttering along the beach. Also, I see a young willow tree with fresh Pinecone Galls while in the distance, seagulls gather near shore. At my feet, I’m fascinated as a Blue Mud Wasp struggles to drag a stung spider toward its nest. This amazing insect is able to land on a spider web without getting entangled and pluck it to simulate an insect in distress. When the spider rushes to capture its prey, it becomes the victim of the wasp’s paralyzing sting and is drug to its mud nest. Once at the nest, the wasp stores the paralyzed spider at the bottom of a mud cell (stock photo) and lays a single egg onto its body. When the wasp larva hatches it consumes the remaining body of the spider. Just before reaching my destination, I pause to notice a couple of Monarch caterpillars feeding on Milkweed leaves. Finally, I make it back to our lakefront rental for morning coffee and conversation.

Beach hike in nature’s realm

horizon greets the rising sun.

Beams bounce across the lake

to warm my sandy trail.

Pace to the rhythm of waves 

that lap along the shore.

Up ahead, sandpipers run,

gulls and terns soar above.

Just another quarter mile

barefoot on Beaver Isle

 

D. DeGraaf

August 10

Pausing at the water’s edge, I watch the Pine River flow slowly through the lush summer landscape while listening to crickets and cars crossing over the Crystal Rd. bridge nearby. In the shallows, the posterior of a Green Frog is barely noticed while in the overhead vegetation, reddening Virginia Creeper leaves are a sign of the season to come. The early morning weather is mostly sunny and cool with a refreshing breeze from the west as I explore the surrounding open field, spotting a patch of flowering Bull Thistle as well as some Black-eyed Susan and Bergamot blossoms. Also catching my eye are blossoms of invasive Purple Loosestrife next to seed clusters of Nut Sedge. With no trail to follow, I hike west through tall dewy grass and come upon one of many lovely Cardinal flowers, a striking color contrast to the chlorophyll-rich background. As sunlight begins to illuminate leafy surfaces, I spot a gathering of Hover flies as well as a ¾-inch Robber Fly. This insect, also known as an Assassin Fly, preys on other insects like wasps, bees, dragonflies and other flies, often capturing them in midair. Its sharp proboscis is used to pierce their hard bodies and inject paralyzing venom. Digestive enzymes accompany the venom and turn the insides of their prey to liquid. Then, typical sucking action is used to ingest the liquefied contents. Finding my way over saturated muddy ground, I return to the river’s edge where sunlight also reflects off the glistening water. Glancing skyward, I watch the leaves of a tall Cottonwood tree rustle in the breeze while in the undergrowth, a ¼-inch Leafhopper crawls on a Nettle leaf. Leafhoppers are a large and diverse group of winged, sucking insects that attack many plants including Virginia creeper and Green Ash. Eggs are laid on the back of leaves, develop into small almost clear larvae that suck sap from leaves. Damage is seen mid-summer as mottled white speckling in blotches on a leaf (stock photo). Damage can be extensive and will weaken but seldom kill plants. Turning around, I make my way back toward the car where a few blossoms of Goldenrod are evident, another sign of the season to come. Near the car, I stop to watch a busy Bubble Bee feasting on a blossom of Evening Primrose. Finally, back in the car, I head for home. 

 

Speak to me river flow

What’s your story? I want to know?

Many miles from your water source

What happened on your winding course?

Did some Mallards swim along?

Did your current sing its song?

Did you catch a falling tree?

Did you run fast and free?

What did you pass along the shore?

Perhaps a Heron about to soar

Throughout these summer days

Pine River, I admire your ways

 

D. DeGraaf

August 3

For my first encounter with the Pine River in Montcalm County, Caroline joins me for an early morning hike in the Edmore State Game Area off Douglas Rd. The sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s as we head into a lavender-tinted meadow, blanketed with Spotted Knapweed. Introduced to North America in the late 1800’s, this highly invasive plant spreads quickly in open areas like this one by producing a toxin that kills competitive native species. Making my way through tall, dewy grass to the riverbank, I pause to watch the current flow gently along while a Goldfinch sings overhead. From here, the river meanders northeast about 6 miles through Montcalm County before crossing into Isabella County. Nearby, large patches of Joe-Pye weed color the river’s edge. As the story goes, there once was an Indian medicine man named Joe Pye who used concoctions from this plant to cure typhoid fever. His brew is said to have halted an epidemic that raged in Colonial Massachusetts. Looking around, I spot a perching Orange Meadow-hawk Dragonfly drying its wings as well as a cattail plant with its brown, hotdog-shaped flower. Actually, this feature consists of thousands of female flowers densely arranged around a large, thick, spike atop the terminal shoot (stock photo). Continuing to explore another dewy meadow, I spot several spider webs including ones made by both orb weavers and cobweb weavers. A milkweed plant reveals a crawling Milkweed Bug while nearby, a Monarch Butterfly dries its wings in morning sunlight. Other blossoms seen include: Hoary Alyssum, Evening Primrose and Queen Anne’s Lace. Following a deer trail back toward the car, I pause again on the bank as the river flows faster and noisier through a narrow channel as a Yellow Throat calls out. Just before reaching the car, I spot a perching Cedar Waxwing. The bird’s name derives from its appetite for cedar berries in winter. In summer, it eats honeysuckle, crabapple, hawthorn, and Autumn olive fruit. As I watch it swoop over the river like a swallow, I recall it’s an omnivore, supplementing a fruit diet with insects including mayflies, dragonflies and stoneflies, often caught on the wing. Back in the car, we head for home.

 

August arrives right on cue

Crescendo of summer is here

Prairie grasses grow up tall

Fawns grow into teenage deer

Forest ceiling covered in green

Concealing sunshine bright

Goldfinch gather thistle seed

Redwings ready a southbound flight

Nature’s music fills the air

Cicadas and crickets strike a tune

Catbirds join the avian chorus

Quieting down in the afternoon

 

D. DeGraaf