July 12

It’s early morning under mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower 60’s as I make my way down a gravel road in a section of the Maple River State Game Area, just east of Clinton County’s village of Maple Rapids. From the edge of the rain-swollen Maple River, I watch the water flow gently by while surrounded by swarms of mosquitoes and sounds a Song Sparrow. Examining the muddy shore, I spot a 1-inch dead moth and a 3-inch dead Blue Gill. Just ahead, after noticing Raccoon tracks in the mud, I spook a Green Heron as it flies off and lands on a branch along the far shore. Further along, I come upon blossoms of Fringed Loosestrife and Wild Bergamot. So, I pick a flowerhead of Bergamot, also called Bee-Balm or Horsemint, to enjoy its oregano-like aroma. Next, I reach a patch of water where some small creatures are darting around on the surface, creating V-shape wakes. Upon closer look, I see they are ½ inch Whirligig beetles. These amazing little insects possess certain adaptations that help them thrive in an aquatic habitat. For example, they carry a bubble of air (stock photo) that allows them to dive and swim for indefinite periods if necessary. Also, they have a primitive echolocation system that allows them to locate prey from the slightest ripples in the water. Suddenly, an unknown duck takes off, flies upstream and lands on the water, where I can tell it’s a juvenile Merganser. Back on the gravel road, I notice Motherwort blossoms as well as both Poison Ivy and Virginia Creeper, side-by-side, climbing up a tree trunk. These two vines, one highly allergenic, one not, are often confused because they both have compound leaves and occupy similar ecological niches. Turning around to retrace my steps, I pass by a Honeysuckle bush displaying ripe fruit and a well-camouflaged Wood Satyr Butterfly, resting on a Virginia Creeper leaf. Approaching the car, I spot a couple of small birds moving through the underbrush including: a Song Sparrow and a Yellow Warbler. Pausing one last time, I watch the river, laden with green Duckweed, flow past me. From here, the river flows southwest for about 15 miles where it empties into the Grand River in the village of Muir. As a fitting end to another great hike, I’m pleased to see a Great Blue Heron standing still on a log, before flying off.

From a silent forest afar

a lovely birdsong comes.

A curious call draws me

past a wildflower haven,

water of dancing diamonds.

to a majestic maple, where

I hope to identify it. Instead,

a flash of golden yellow 

wings disappear into a

mackerel sky of azure blue. 

Nature’s lesson as always

is not to fret the outcome

but savor the search.

 

D. DeGraaf