August 7

Three months ago, I began my quest to follow and explore the 17-mile long, Salt Creek from its source in Isabella County to its mouth in Midland County (stock photo). After a month of other pursuits, I’m back at it. The early morning temperatures are in the low 60’s, under sunny skies as I stand just off Salt River Rd. in Midland County to watch the muddy, rain-swollen creek flow slowly over a broad floodplain, while listening to a White-breasted Nuthatch. Exploring the wet ground near the creek’s edge, I spot some, two-inch Dusky slugs and a cluster of, never-before-seen, White Jelly Coral fungi. Moving back toward the car, I pause to look at and listen to a male Song Sparrow perched high in a dead, leafless Ash tree. Young males develop unique songs which they learn from older birds in their territory. This causes Song Sparrows to have regional differences—almost like accents—in their singing. There are also regional differences in their appearance. Birds in coastal areas, for instance, are larger and darker in color. Birds in southern regions are paler and those in desert regions are pale gray. Female Song Sparrows sometimes attack female Cowbirds to chase them from their nests. Despite this protective behavior, many Song Sparrows end up inadvertently raising Cowbird babies along with their own babies (stock photo). Driving a short distance east on Salt River Rd., I stop and trek south through dense underbrush, passing white blossoms of Water Parsnips and Virginia Knotweed. Nearby, I come across a patch of Hairy Wood Mint. Approaching the creek, I watch and listen to the fast-moving water as well as a noisy Catbird. On my way back to the car, I notice a tree trunk covered with vines of both Poison ivy and Virginia creeper. While the Poison ivy leaves are green as usual, the Virginia Creeper leaves have already turned red, an extremely early sign of Autumn. Along the road where the car is parked, I come upon a lovely turkey tail feather. Nearby, I notice the Bumblebees are very active, feeding on blossoms of Crown Vetch, St John’s wort and Bull Thistle. After driving east a short distance, I’m standing on the Alamando Rd bridge, watching the muddy creek water flow rapidly through a swollen, 30-ft wide channel. Gazing at the flowery left bank, I spot Purple Loosestrife, Bergamot, Queen Anne’s Lace and Water Parsnips while the flowery right bank displays Bull Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Black-eyed Susan’s and White Sweet Clover. Gazing skyward, I watch and listen to a half dozen Barn Swallows as they dip and dive above my head.

 

Scaling the bank

You by my side

Shaping the earth

Glide, creek, glide

Natural beauty 

For me you show

Rapids and ripples

Flow, creek, flow

Glistening waters

Reflect the sun

Sustainer of life

Run, creek, run

 

D. DeGraaf