November 23

The weather is unseasonably benign as I begin my morning hike on a paved path in Mt Pleasant’s Millpond Park. Along the way, I spot Oyster mushrooms growing in an oak knothole as well as a decomposing tree trunk with black spots from a fungus called Hypoxylon canker. This fungus colonizes and kills weakened or stressed oak trees. Across the path, I glance at a field of cattails as a west wind buffets their seed heads. Just ahead, my first encounter with the Chippewa River reveals a wide channel, a gentle flow and a mirrored surface, displaying large leafless trees. Following the river downstream, I pause near shore to observe it move rapidly to the north. From here the Chippewa River turns east for about 30 miles where it empties into the Tittabawassee River in Midland. According to the nearby USGS measuring station, the water today is 3.6 feet deep and flows at a rate of 292 cubic ft/second. Exploring the bank, I come upon the bright red fruit of a Winterberry bush. Also known as Michigan holly. its long-lasting fruit remains into mid-winter and is a food source for robins, bluebirds and cedar waxwings. Crossing a footbridge to the north bank, I continue on the paved path where I notice an American Bittersweet vine with a few remaining berries. As with Winterberry, this fruit is poisonous to humans but edible to wildlife. As the path takes me past a few scraggly Box Elder trees, a Blue Jay makes its presence known. Most people recognize this familiar “jeer” call. It’s a sound this bird uses early and often to stay in touch with other jays. The call helps mates keep track of each other and also serves to assemble others in response to a threat.  Most people do not know that these birds have an amazing array of other vocalizations, none of which sound at all like the raucous jeer. One such call mimics hawks, especially the Red-shouldered hawk. Back at the riverside, I pause to watch a flock of Canada geese soar overhead and a breeding pair of Mallards swim along the far shore. These ducks will soon migrate south to the mid and southern states for the winter. Retracing my steps back toward the car, I notice a fresh buck rub as well as a gathering of Canada geese swimming and feeding on the mill pond. Seeming to be comfortable around me, they are likely resident geese who will stay in the area as long as there’s food and open water. On the other hand, there are non-resident geese in the area that are leery of humans, breed in more remote places and migrate south for the winter. Finally, it’s back to the car for my trip home to Alma.

 

Not too far from the hunter’s gun

Run, river run

Your journey’s not over, only half done

Run, river run

By light of the moon, light of the sun

Run, river run

Ice floes have not yet begun

Run, river run

Keeping you clean is priority one

Chippewa River, run

 

D. DeGraaf