November 22

Under mostly sunny skies and mid-autumn, noontime temperatures in the upper 30’s, Riley, Caroline and I begin our hike in Mt. Pleasant’s 90-acre Millpond Park. Heading south, we walk beside a large pond where I spot a mating pair of Mallards swimming near shore and a gaggle of Canada Geese swimming out in the middle. Nearby, I notice some floating leaves of water lilies have changed color. Turning east, we make our way through a dense grove of Boxelder trees with their divided trunks and crooked limbs spreading in all directions. Along the path, I spots some green leaves of Motherwort, an herb in the mint family that was used medicinally by the early Greeks, who gave it to pregnant women suffering from anxiety, which is how the herb reportedly got its name. Native to central Eurasia, this plant has now spread to North America as an invasive weed. In herbal medicine, its leaves and flowers (stock photo) contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds as well as leonurine, a compound for treating heart palpitations. Soon, I’m face-to-face with a large, decaying trunk of an Ash tree displaying serpentine grooves made by larvae of the infamous Emerald Ash Borer, the killer of millions of these trees across North America. Arriving at the Chippewa River, I turn north and follow the slow flowing water downstream while passing a few lingering patches of snow from an earlier accumulation. Following the river, as it meanders through the park, I pause and watch it surge through a partial dam and over large rocks. Crossing a bridge, we turn around and head back on a paved path where I spot a patch of Periwinkle in the leaf litter. This evergreen groundcover is a common invader throughout most of the United States. Native to Europe, it was commonly known in folklore as the “flower of death” because its vines were woven into headbands worn by dead children or criminals on their way to execution. Up ahead, colorful berries of American Bittersweet catch my eye. This fruit is toxic to us mammals but highly sought after by birds. Despite their toxicity, humans nonetheless covet these fruits. Entire vines are cut down and used in fall flower arrangements. Continuing back to the car, I notice dried, dead leaves still hanging on branches of a Blue Beech tree as well as colorful Sugar Maple leaves displaying a fungus called Tar Spot. 

Season to hunt

Season to kill

Seeking quarry

Seeking a thrill

Lethal weapon

Bullets release

Finding their mark

Ending the peace

Preserving life

Is not the plan

Trophy buck

Pleasure of man

 

D. DeGraaf