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