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
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