September 20

It’s early morning as my dog, Riley and I hike on a 2-track in the Maple River State Game Area, taking in the sights while listening to the sounds of crickets and Kildeers. With temperatures in the upper 60’s and a steady southwesterly breeze, we are in a section of the state game area off Croswell Rd., 10 miles south of Ithaca. At 10,000 acres, this preserve is mid-Michigan’s largest contiguous wetland complex consisting of floodplains, lowlands, and marshes along the Maple River through Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia Counties. As expected, this place is ideal fishing grounds for a variety of birds, especially raptors. Despite poor lighting, I am able to get a faint photograph of a perching Bald Eagle and Osprey. Like Bald Eagles, Ospreys were seriously endangered by effects of pesticides in mid-20th century. Since DDT and related pesticides were banned in 1972, they have made a good comeback in many parts of North America include here in mid-Michigan. Another species that is seen in abundance, fishing these waters, are Great Blue Herons, including one wading and one flying in and landing nearby. Further ahead, I spot colorful blossoms of Pennsylvania Smartweed mixed with not-as-colorful blossoms of Pale Smartweed. Other blossoms that catch my eye include, Nodding Bur Marigold and Wild Cucumber. Out on the water, I notice a Muskrat lodge as well as one of several acrobatic swallows catching insects. Along the water’s edge, I observe a clump of Arrow weed and a Button Bush with its spiny, round seed pods. Overhead, I catch a glimpse of a perching Palm Warbler. This migratory bird is likely traveling from its summer breeding grounds in the boreal forests of the far north to its wintering grounds in the southeastern US, especially Florida. Many birds were misnamed by early ornithologists and this is one. Except for the fact that it winters in warm climates, the palm warbler really has nothing at all to do with palm trees. Turning around to retrace our steps, it’s obvious that the water in this section of the marsh is covered with a dense layer of Duckweed. As the name implies, Duckweed is eaten by ducks as well as other aquatic organisms. It behaves much like a weed, multiplying rapidly, especially on water rich with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate. It is used as shelter by pond-water species such as frogs and fish. It also provides shade to reduce the light-generated growth of certain undesirable algae. Since duckweed has more protein than soybeans, it is harvested as traditional food source by people living in parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Laos.

 

Swan song of summer

Nature has her way

Swallows are swarming

Wish they could stay

Queen Anne’s Lace

Fold up their flowers

Meadow shines golden

Through daylight hours

Fungi are frequent

Berries abound

Frogs of the marsh

Surrender their sound

D. DeGraaf