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