It was last April when I began to follow the Pine River from its terminus in Midland County. While traveling upstream through Midland, Gratiot and Montcalm counties, I made 20 stops to explore the channel and its ecosystems. On this chilly, overcast morning, I’m at stop 21 in Isabella County pausing on the Fremont Rd. bridge to watch the river flow gently south along the edge of Coldwater Rd. Working my way along the bank, I notice some red Virginia Creeper leaves and a young Cocklebur plant. Since its burs get hopelessly tangled in the hair and fur of mammals, this is a plant to be avoided. Also, every part of it is extremely toxic to mammals and has caused many a death to livestock. Further along, I spot some Common Nettle plants loaded with green seeds. Despite the leaves causing skin to itch and burn if touched, the seeds are quite edible. They are tasty, crunchy and full of oil high in polyunsaturated fatty acids - predominantly linoleic and linolenic acids that our bodies use to make essential fatty acids. Just ahead, as a gust of wind from the north passes through, I observe the swaying blossoms of Joe-Pye Weed, some seeding out and a contracted flower head of Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot) that has a cage-like appearance. Grabbing the flower head and spreading it open with my fingers, I’m not surprised to find a ½-inch spotted caterpillar, larva of the Carrot-seed Moth (stock photo). This moth was first noticed in Midwestern North America in 2002. Some researchers suggest that it may have hitchhiked on a trans-Atlantic vessel that ended up at a Great Lakes port. Other sights along the bank include blossoms of White Turtlehead and Blue Vervain as well as the spiny 2-inch fruit of Wild Cucumber. Although this plant is related to the familiar, domestic vegetable, the prickly “cucumbers” are not edible. Nearby, I spot blossoms of Sky-blue Aster among Canadian Goldenrod and a large Goldenrod flower or bunch gall. This dense leaf growth is caused by a midge larva that disturbs normal leaf development. Continuing along the bank, I notice a Michigan Lily plant that once displayed its colorful blossoms (stock photo) has gone to seed, now displaying 1½ inch pods. Venturing off the main trail, I pass an Autumn Olive bush with some ripe fruit and then proceed through dense undergrowth back to the river’s edge. From here, I find my way back to the car and head for home.
Seasons are changing
Nature gives and takes
One landscape fades
Another one awakes
Takes leaves of green
Gives us those of red
Takes away the flowers
Gives us seeds instead
Takes a redwing’s song
Gives us a cricket’s call
Takes away summer
Replaces it with fall
D. DeGraaf
love the poem!
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