Monday, November 8, 2021

November 8

It’s a clear, cold morning as Caroline and I, along with our dog Riley, begin our fall color-tour hike at Mt Pleasant’s 145-acre, Meridian Park. First, we pause on a bank to watch the water of the Chippewa River flow quickly (370 cu. ft./sec) downstream toward the city of Mt. Pleasant, some 4 miles to the northeast. Along the shore, I notice some red fruit including, Multiflora Rose hips and Bittersweet Nightshade. Although not as poisonous as Deadly Nightshade berries, livestock, pets and children can get sick eating the Bittersweet ones. Nearby, my attention is drawn to a large boulder that makes me think about its likely complex geological history. Formed deep within the earth’s crust, this rock first hardened, then cracked due to great subterranean pressure. Next, under extremely high temperatures, molten silica seeped into the cracks and hardened, forming quartz veins. Once on the surface, exposed to water and wind, it began to weather and erode. Since quartz is more resistant than other minerals to such processes, these veins are easily seen protruding from the rock face. Back on the trail, I focus on the leaf litter where I spot Chincapin Oak, Burr Oak and Red Maple, fringed with frost. Next to the trail are trees of Sugar Maple and American Beech with their colorful leaves still attached. Overhead, against an azure blue sky, leaves of Aspen and Cottonwood sway with a gentle north wind. Suddenly, I see a Red-bellied Woodpecker fly up and perch in a leafless tree. This bird is often mistakenly called a Red-headed Woodpecker, a somewhat rarer species that's mostly black on the back with big white wing patches (stock photo). To add to the confusion, the red on its belly is not often visible in the field. Not truly migratory, these birds both breed and winter throughout their range (stock photo). Moving northeast along a high bank, I look down at a still body of water that was once part of the river channel. Years ago, as the meandering river repeatedly flooded, it cut off an arch-shaped section that formed what is referred to as an Oxbow Lake (stock photo). Further ahead, I notice another body of water that soon will form another Oxbow Lake (stock photo). Turning around and heading back, we take in a beautiful array of colorful trees illuminated by the morning sun. 

 

Leaves of red and rust

Glazed with frost of dawn

Litter the earthen trail

Leaves of gold and yellow

Quake in the gentle breeze

Against a sky of azure blue

Leaves of orange and brown

Reflecting morning beams

Float softly into view 

In this gallery of autumn 

The artist shows her stuff

 

D. DeGraaf

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