June 20

It’s a warm, muggy morning on the last day of spring as I watch the Maple River flow through the small village of Bannister, eight miles east of my last encounter. In the 1880’s, the residents considered naming the village ‘‘Maple Bend’’, because of its proximity to the big bend in Maple River. However, after some debate it was named “Bannister’’ in honor of A. M. Bannister who owned the surrounding land. The village was located on the “gurgling Maple’’ so called sarcastically in the early days, because there was not a spot in its entire course in Gratiot County where it had life or speed enough to produce a single gurgle. So, for power purposes it was a failure. Exploring the lush riverbank north of Wilson Rd., I spot several Ebony Jewel-wing Damselflies as well as a small Delaware Skipper Butterfly perched on blossoms of Dame’s Rocket. At my feet, scattered on the damp vegetation were white globs of foam made by nymphs of Froghoppers, called Spittlebugs (stock photo). These tiny insects pump bubbles into fluid that is secreted as a foamy substance during feeding. This frothy mass protects them from predators and desiccation. Up ahead, after seeing a large Mussel shell near shore, I pause to take in the sights and sounds of the flowing river. Nearby, I come upon a Motherwort plant beginning to blossom, the spiky seedheads of Morning Star Sedge and a perching Crane Fly, well-hidden in the dense underbrush. Turning around, I make my way back across Wilson Rd to explore the south bank where I come upon blossoms of the invasive Crown Vetch and the tangled vines of Catchweed Bedstraw. This plant grows low to the ground or will readily grow up and over other plants. It has short hairs on the stems, leaves and fruits that are like tiny hooks that catch on shoes, clothing and skin. It is known by many names around the world including cleavers, stickywilly, and “velcro plant.” It is native to North America and can be found throughout Michigan, particularly in moist, shady areas. The name itself, bedstraw is from the old days when it was used as stuffing in mattresses because the clinging nature of the prickles minimized matting and compaction of the mattress-filling and, when dried, it gave off a nice fresh scent that the ladies liked to lay their heads on. Looking around, my eyes are drawn to two colorful dragonflies perching nearby, a White-tail Skimmer and a Gray Petal-tail. Other perching insects seen include a small Two-striped Grasshopper and a Cluster Fly. This sluggish fly often invades homes in fall and turn into wintertime pests. They are particularly noticeable on warm winter days when they become active and find their way into living quarters.

 

Summer to fall

Maples turned gold

November blew cold

Fall to winter

Nights were long

Ice was strong

Winter to spring

Deer were lean

Growing green

Welcome summer

Another year

Glad you’re here

 

D. DeGraaf