November 6

With mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 20’s, I’m taking a morning hike on a section of the Meijer Heartland bike trail through a premature, sparkling winter landscape, after two inches of snow fell overnight. Gazing skyward, I notice a Gibbous moon. Recalling a lesson from junior high science class, this natural satellite of earth doesn't emit its own light, it reflects sunlight. As it orbits Earth each month, we see only part of the sunlit side, called a phase. Looking north, I observe a fresh game trail, while far ahead, I spot one of many Whitetail deer, on the move this time of day. Overhead, I observe some, thin foot-long bean pods of a Northern Catalpa tree. Also known as Cigar tree, the seeds and pods were used by pioneers in the 19th century to treat asthma, whooping cough, and various heart conditions. While the pods are edible, they do not taste very good-- some say it's like eating cotton mixed with sawdust. Also overhead, I spot a large, inactive nest of Paper Wasps. Except for queens, most colony members have died from cold temperatures. This nest will disintegrate and a new colony will rebuild next year. Continuing east, I pause on a bridge to watch the water of Honeyoey Creek flow toward its confluence with the Pine River, 1½ miles to the southeast. This watercourse is one of the worst contributors to the pollution of the river by transporting cropland runoff, contaminated with e-coli bacteria from excessive manure applications. Autumn leaves that catch my eye, include the multi-colored American Beech and crimson Staghorn Sumac. Also, the lovely red stems and fruit of Gray Dogwood on a snowy background is a sight to behold. Also, just off the trail, I notice the red berries of Viburnum and purplish black berries of Common Buckthorn. Buckthorn is a highly invasive shrub native to Eurasia that was introduced to North America in the 1880’s as an ornamental plant. There is some evidence that Buckthorn is allelopathic, producing chemicals that inhibit the growth of other species. Turning around to retrace my steps, I spot hanging fruit from both a Crabapple tree and American Bittersweet tree. Bittersweet fruit is poisonous to humans when ingested, but happily consumed by birds. The roots of this tree were used by Native Americans and colonizers to induce vomiting, treat venereal disease and symptoms of tuberculosis. Native Americans also used it in decorations, and even today it is commonly used in dry flower arrangements and for winter decor. Nearing the car, I’m not surprised to spot a fresh buck rub on a Honeysuckle branch. 

Dawn of November

Dawn of the day

Aisle of autumn

Nature’s display

Winterberries

Naked trees

Scampering squirrels

Grounded leaves

Crows afar

Chickadees near

Trail ahead

Whitetail deer

 

D. DeGraaf