The early morning weather is sunny with temperatures in the mid 40’s and a gentle breeze out of the south as I gaze east from the Briton Rd bridge at the gently flowing water of the south branch of the Pine River as a noisy Wood Duck flies overhead. Today, I begin my quest to explore this tributary of the main branch of the river. It begins as an outflow of the millpond in Isabella County’s village of Blanchard, meandering southeast for about 4 miles, passing under Roland Rd. and Briton Rd. before spilling into the main branch about ¼ mile east of here. Wandering through the muddy floodplain near the river’s edge, I notice several purplish sprouts of Skunk cabbage including one emerging from a bed of Carpet moss, while nearby I notice a mound of spongy Sphagnum moss. Just ahead, I come upon new blades of Reed Canary Grass erupting from the leaf litter. This plant is a cool-season perennial that typically invades wetlands and floodplains. It is a sod-forming grass that spreads through rhizomes and runners. Once it has invaded an area it can eliminate other vegetation because of its dense growth. It can even inhibit tree growth in floodplain woodlands like this. Moving to the river’s edge, I spot the vertebrae bone of a deer and the caterpillar-like Tag Alder catkins in the leaf litter as well as duck tracks along the muddy shore. Nearby, subtle signs of spring include a Honeysuckle shrub starting to leaf out and a Pussy willow tree starting to flower. Just before blooming, willow flowers are coated with soft hairs to insulate them from cold temperatures. These soft silver tufts that resemble tiny cats’ paws, give the plant its name. Turning back toward the car, I notice a pair of open Mussel shells on the bank. These bivalve mollusks are an important component of aquatic ecosystems like this one. They basically are like liver organs, removing chemicals and bacteria, like E- coli, keeping the water clean. Also, I spot several thistle rosettes. For most thistle plants, this rosette phase occurs during the first year of growth followed by the bolt stage during the second year when stems and flowers appear. Near the end of my hike, another sign of spring catches my attention, a chirping Robin.
My wait is over, riverflow
For winter to release its icy grip
So nature’s pageant can begin.
So herons can fish the shallows
Kingfishers can fish the deep
Muskrats can float tender reeds
Redwings can voice their alarms
Marigolds can color the muddy shore
Your mirrored surface can portray
Budding maples and a vernal sun
Riverflow, welcoming spring
D. DeGraaf
Lovely. Thank you.
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