May 10

Having completed my exploration of the Pine River’s south branch a few weeks ago, I now begin my exploration of the north branch. This morning, I’m near the south boundary of Isabella County, standing on the Coe Rd bridge about a ¼ mile south of where the river begins its journey on private property as a confluence of the Cedar Drain and Thatcher Creek. Weather is partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 40’s and a stiff north wind as I walk along the bank and spot lots of blossoming Wild Mustard plants. This plant grows prolifically around here, a fact that irritates many cattle farmers who tend to think of it as a plague, since cows get very sick when consuming it. For humans on the other hand, the young leaves are edible and can be cooked down to a nutritious mess of greens. Flowers can be tossed into salads as a peppery spice. Seeds (stock photo) can be dried, ground and mixed with vinegar and salt for a homemade condiment. Historically, wild mustard was used medicinally. Crushed seed was mixed with water to make a paste that was spread on a cloth and placed on a person’s chest, sore joints or other areas of swelling. Mustard paste opens up blood vessels to draw out toxins and increase blood flow, reducing pain. Observing the unusually straight channel and berms along the banks, makes me think that this part of the river has been engineered by the property owners of the surrounding 200-acre, deer hunting preserve. Just ahead, I watch a gust of wind sway spiny Teasel seed pods and a foraging Solitary Sandpiper. Most sandpipers migrate in flocks and nest on the ground, but this one breaks both rules. In migration, as its name implies, it is usually encountered alone. At its breeding grounds in Canada, it will lay its eggs in old songbird nests high in trees rather than nesting on wet ground. Nearby, having heard a few Chipping Sparrow calls, I finally spot one of the sources. Also, having seen lots of deer tracks in the mud, I finally spot one of the sources.  Still heading southeast, I pause to listen to Mallards and Redwings. While crossing a footbridge to head back, I remember that from here, the river continues to flow southeasterly about 3 miles where it joins Pine River’s main branch near Gratiot County’s Lumberjack Park. Having heard and seen several Canada Geese, I’m not surprised as I approach the car to see their down feathers in the water and their scat on the path.

 

I stand on the shore

Look out once more

Awake from a dream

To a view downstream

For the verdant banks

I give nature thanks

For sound and sight

I find joy and delight

This riparian place

My senses embrace

Springtime show, river-flow