October 2

With rain clouds overhead and temperatures in the high 50’s, I’m standing on Lake Montcalm Rd looking south at 10-acre, Twin Lake, an impoundment likely from Corbin Creek being dammed downstream from here. At my feet, I observe the underside (plastron) of a 6-inch long turtle of unknown species. Turtles are reptiles and like all reptiles, they have scales. The scales on their shell are specialized plates called scutes (pronounced “scoots”). When the turtle grows, the plates shed or peel way and the new ones that grow underneath are larger than the old ones (stock photo). This process is similar to a snake shedding its skin. Turning around and facing north, as a few drops of rain begin to fall, I notice a 2-acre pond, filled by water from eastward flowing Corbin Creek. Looking more closely, I see a gathering of Mallards along with a few Northern Pintails, swimming along the far shore. Walking west on Lake Montcalm Rd, in search of another creek access, I notice some of the, not-often-seen, large, deeply-lobed leaves of Summer Grape have turned yellow. The smaller, heart-shaped leaves of Wild Grape (stock photo) are much more commonly seen in this area while the fruit of both varieties are edible. Leaving the road with a map in hand, I trudge north through dense underbrush, searching for the creek channel. After a brief, arduous hike, I return to the road, continue west until I find suitable terrain to proceed toward the creek. Turning north again into dense vegetation, I spot the red fruit of Autumn Olive and the dark blue fruit of Nannyberry. After slogging through wetlands for 20 minutes, past cattails and ferns, I finally reach the edge of a narrow, gently flowing Corbin Creek, where I pause to look and listen. Making my way along the bank, I come upon the bead-like, spore stalk of a Sensitive fern. These fertile fronds turn brownish black at maturity and persist through winter, releasing spores the following year. This fern (stock photo) gets its common name from its intolerance for cold, the sterile fronds dying at the first frost. Nearby, I notice purple blossoms of Closed Bottle Gentian, among the colorful leaf litter. Only strong bees can force the pedals open in order to get at the nectar and deposit pollen. Roots and leaves of this plant are bitter tasting to mammals and other herbivores, so they usually are not a food source. White-tailed deer are one of the few animals that may eat the tender tops before they have a chance to flower. 

 

Current babbles

Wood ducks squeak

Cicadas whine

Edge of the creek

Autumn aromas

My senses seek

Alone with nature

Edge of the creek

No human ruckus

No words to speak

Mum in the marsh

Edge of the creek

 

D. DeGraaf