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