July 25

The early-morning temperature is 73 degrees under sunny skies with a westerly breeze as I enter a privately-owned, 24-acre conservation easement just east of Alma. Years ago, the owner contracted with the state to maintain this land for wildlife habitat. As a volunteer for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, I hike the property annually and report on the owner’s level of compliance. Following a perimeter path, I spot 2 types of newly-formed Goldenrod galls, nut and flower. Since much of the land is open grassland mixed with a few shallow, marshy ponds providing good dragonfly habitat, I’m not surprised to see several of them flying and alighting. First, I spot a Widow Skimmer in the underbrush. Up ahead, a Meadowhawk catches my eye. This dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, and termites. Nearby, I see a Saddlebags Skimmer whose nymph is green with bits of browning coloring (stock photo). Following the mown trail, I come upon a Banded Pennant. The “pennants” are among the few dragonflies whose wings are marked a bit like butterflies. They perch according to their name – like flags at the tip of twigs or stems. They even sway and pivot in the summer breezes.  Moving off the trail to get a closer look, I notice a patch of Purple Prairie Clover and a patch of Black-eyed Susans. Also, I come upon a Milkweed plant displaying a young 1-inch seedpod. Since it’s edible at this stage, I break it off and enjoy its mild flavor. After trudging through a stand of 6-ft tall Reed Canary Grass, I approach a small Cottonwood tree where a Yellowthroat is singing loud and clear. Further ahead, I observe a Clouded Sulfur Butterfly in the dense grass. Its caterpillar is smooth and green with light stripes on the sides (stock photo). Soon, I spot a Little Wood Satyr Butterfly resting on a decayed log. Its caterpillar is greenish brown, with lighter lengthwise stripes and numerous tubercles (stock photo). Turning back toward the car as the wind picks up, I look down to see some swaying Bottlebrush grass and look up to see swaying Cottonwood leaves. Scanning the meadow, I spot a single blossom of Purple Coneflower and a single blossom of Sow Thistle. A variety of sedges, each with their characteristic seedheads catch my eye, including Fox, Nut and Crested. Back on the long driveway to the car, I pause to listen to a Killdeer flying overhead. These birds can be seen flying or walking, but since they lack a hind toe, they do not have the ability to perch.

 

Time to slow down

Summer speeds along

Smell a milkweed flower

Hear a cicada’s song

Time to leave the trail

Ease the hiking pace

Alighting swallowtail

Lovely Queen Anne’s Lace

Time to be seated

Lo, a mourning dove

Taste a wild berry

Eye the clouds above

 

D. DeGraaf

July 18

Two months ago, I was in the village of Muir to begin my quest to explore the Maple River from mouth to source by watching it flow into the Grand River. Traveling upstream, I saw it flow through Maple Rapids, under US 127 next to the massive marsh of the State Game Area, over the dam in the village of Elsie, under the bridge in the village of Ovid and through the fields of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties. This early morning, I’m just south of the town of Corunna where it’s sunny and breezy with temperatures in the mid 60’s as I watch the murky Maple River carry sediment that washed in from heavy overnight rain. Near the bank, I spot blossoms of Soapwort (Bouncing Bet) as well as Catnip, being fed on by a Bumble Bee. As far back as the 1600’s, Europeans used Catnip as a mild sedative, brewing tea with its leaves, making juice from them and even smoking or chewing them. In the 1960’s, catnip was occasionally used as a substitute for marijuana, with some users claiming it caused hallucinations and euphoria when smoked. However, in most cases this was not true. Also in the 1960’s, scientists discovered that catnip's active chemical acts as a mosquito repellant - more powerful than DEET. After driving to another nearby access point, I find the river to be nothing more than a drainage ditch next to a farm field. Looking around, I am pleased to see my first Monarch Butterfly of the year. Overall, eastern Monarchs have declined by around 85% since the mid-1990’s due to habitat destruction and climate change. However, the number of butterflies in Mexico’s forests this past winter was 35% greater than the previous year. This increase marks a sign of recovery—albeit a fragile one—and gives some reason for hope for the future of this iconic species. Tracing the overgrown ditch up stream, I could not see the river water but could hear resident Green Frogs. Working my way back to the car, I come upon a Northern Pearly-eye Butterfly and a Widow Skimmer Dragonfly. Unlike other dragonfly species where males guard egg-laying females, Widow Skimmer males leave the female by herself, 'widowing' her as she lays her eggs just under the surface of the water. Near the car, I notice blossoms of Swamp Milkweed and Bladder Campion. Driving a few miles east, I make my final stop to observe the source of the Maple River which is merely a man-made ditch called the Maple Swamp Drain. After following the river some 70 miles from end to beginning while accessing it 9 times, I bid farewell to this unique watercourse.

 

From muddy banks

Watched you grow

Living waters

River flow

Birdsongs and bees

Fawn and doe

Reeds and trees

River show

Life and death

Taker and giver

Riparian wonder

Maple River

 

D. DeGraaf

July 11

I’m in Shiawassee County, about 8 miles southeast of my last Maple River encounter, making my way from the car to the channel. It’s mostly cloudy, breezy with temperatures in the low 70’s as I follow a 2-track where I spot tall stands of Phragmites as well as blossoms of Red Clover and Common Mullein. Reaching the bank of the 10-ft wide, slow-moving river, I scare up some Wood ducklings as the mother flies up and squeals in their defense. Following the watercourse upstream, I notice the first blossoming Queen Anne’s Lace of the season as well as blossoms of the toxic and lethal look-a-like, Water Hemlock. Nearby, I pause to observe a ½ inch White Spring Moth resting on a leaf. Its larva is a light green, inch-worm caterpillar that provides camouflage while it feeds on leaves of apple, maple, cherry, beech, and hawthorn trees (stock photo). It pupates overwinter and emerges as an adult in early spring. Adults are active night and day and often flutter around exterior lights at night. Up ahead, large white blossoms of Elderberry (Elderflowers) shrubs catch my eye. Both Elderberries and Elderflowers have been used for medicine for thousands of years. While both have been used to boost the immune system and fight off infection, Elderflower tea can provide soothing relief for acute cold systems. A concoction of elderflower, yarrow and mint is a great fever fighter and was often used historically for measles and chickenpox. Elderflowers can also be used to treat conjunctivitis and soothe red itchy eyes, reduce pain and swelling in acute joint inflammation, and relieve toothaches. They are natural antihistamines, and when taken prior to the appearance of pollen, can ease symptoms of seasonal allergies. While heading back to the car, I  listen to the song of a Goldfinch and notice some Horsetail stalks displaying cones. These specialized structures, called strobili, will develop large numbers of reproductive spores. Next, I’m driving south to a nearby road bridge where I stop to watch a Muskrat swimming in the river. Turning the car east, I come upon another road bridge to watch the shallow river pass under. From here, I spot a Sandhill Crane walking along the edge of the dirt road. The greatest chance to spot these large, gorgeous birds comes during their annual fall migration when thousands of them return to roost at Big Marsh Lake in Baker Sanctuary, east of Battle Creek, before flying south to Florida for the winter.

 

Weekly retreat

Place to unwind

No cares or worries

Left those behind

Following the river

Breathing fresh air

Treading along

Nature everywhere

Pausing to look

Then proceed

Escaping the havoc

I’m free indeed

 

D. DeGraaf

July 4

This morning, I’m 40 miles southeast of Alma watching the Maple River flow through the small village of Ovid. The village was named by settlers from Ovid, Seneca Falls County, N.Y., who purchased land, sight unseen, in what would be their new home. Noted residents of the village in 1836 included Samuel Barker and Jabez Dennison - who was famous as a "slayer of bears," killing 19 in the area. Incorporated in 1869, Ovid grew many industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a cooperage, flour mill, lumber company, foundry, sawmill, tannery, as well as numerous retail businesses and hotels.  The most well-known business was Schafield and Danforth carriage makers.  Ovid Carriage Days, which is observed each September, celebrates the industry and its heritage. The temperature is in the mid 60’s under sunny skies with a refreshing north breeze, as I make my way along the Meijer bike path where I spot a Boysenberry tree and sample some of its tasty fruit. This plant is named after Swedish immigrant, Rudolf Boysen, who created it in the 1930’s in California by crossing loganberry, raspberry and blackberry. Nearby, I notice other ripe fruit including, raspberry and honeysuckle. Moving my way along the riverbank, I come upon patches of Field Bindweed displaying both white and pink blossoms. Soon, I pause to watch some Cabbage White Butterflies flutter and feed among the Bindweed. Up ahead, I watch a Milkweed Beetle crawling on a Milkweed leaf and a Bumble Bee feeding on Milkweed Blossoms. Also, I see several blossoming Water-Parsnips plants scattered along the bank. While the stems and leaves of this plant are toxic and will kill livestock, the roots are edible and were widely eaten by Native American tribes. Regarding medicinal uses, an infusion of the crushed root has been used as a poultice to bring relief from the pain of a broken limb. However, this plant bears a strong resemblance to the highly toxic and lethal Water Hemlock plant. The differences are subtle, having to do with leaf and stem structure. After hearing the familiar call of a Yellowthroat, I turn around to head back where I spot a Cottontail Rabbit, well camouflaged in the tall grasses. Working my way back to the car, I first pause to smell the leaf of a Catnip plant and then pause to be entertained by the variable songs of a Catbird. Finally, near the car, I spot pink blossoms of both Canadian Thistle and Swamp Thistle.

 

Early summer

‘Neath a mackerel sky

Lush riverbank

Jewel-wings flutter by

Blanket of ferns

Cover the glade

Breaking silence

Vireos serenade

Oaks and Maples

Shadow the trail

Nature abounds

On hill and dale

 

D. DeGraaf