October 19

It’s a partly cloudy, chilly morning as I watch the Pine River flow east under 4^th street, a dirt road in Montcalm County’s village of Millbrook. Following a groomed trail down into the flood plain, I find myself in a dense stand of Black Locust trees, of various ages including mature ones with deeply furrowed bark. Considered invasive species, these trees with their compound leaves, reproduce rapidly by sending up new shoots from roots. Stands like this replace existing native vegetation, reducing plant diversity. They can also alter soil characteristics through their ability to fix nitrogen, facilitating the spread of other nonnative species, such and garlic mustard. Despite these problems, the high-density wood from Black Locust is extremely rot resistant, making it an ideal material for fenceposts, outdoor furniture, decks, and other projects that require weatherproof materials. Moving to the riverbank, I pause to watch the flowing water while listening to a Wild Turkey. This “assembly” call is used by the female to bring a scattered flock back together. Continuing on the leaf-covered trail, I’m not surprised to come upon a turkey feather mixed with mostly elm leaves, Nearby, I spot an old Goldenrod ball gall with a hole in it, most likely made by a Woodpecker or Chickadee who detected a small maggot developing inside and dug it out for a quick meal. Up ahead, I see the milkweed-like seeds of a Swallow-wort vine. This invasive species is a perennial climbing vine that can form extensive patches and smother native vegetation. Making my way back to the riverside, I notice the drooping seed heads of Foxtail grass as well as a decaying log covered with Whitewash lichen. Retracing my steps back to the road, I begin to explore the opposite bank where I notice a few colorful leaves of Sumac that remain on the branches as well as the familiar call of a Nuthatch. Walking back to the car, I gaze a short distance west at the old abandoned grain mill with its rusted-out waterwheel that was an important part of the history of this village and thus the name, Millbrook. Records indicate that the “brook” was indeed the Pine River (stock photo) that was dammed, creating an extensive millpond (stock photo). The rapid current thus provided energy to turn the waterwheel and grind the grain into flour (stock photo). 

We meet again river called Pine

Who did you pass along the way?

Was it an angler casting a line

Or on the shore, children play

Maybe a hiker over a bridge

Or a farmer plowing the bank

Maybe someone photographing

Or crop duster emptying its tank

Maybe an owner treating his lawn

Or canoeist going with the flow

Or picnickers littering the edge

Human being, friend or foe?

 

D. DeGraaf