December 11

The early morning sky is clear with temperatures in the mid 30’s, as I make my way eastward toward the rising sun, over a patch of crunchy snow on the Meijer bike trail, near the tiny village of Cedar Lake. Just off the trail, I notice a narrow stream of water flowing through some lush Watercress, the only plant that is still displaying lots of green chlorophyl. Not surprising, I spot several deer tracks in the snow and a couple crossing the trail in the distance. Evidence of recent Coyote activity, include its linear gait pattern of snow tracks in a bike tire track on the trail and its scat containing strands of hair and fur. Birds that catch my eye, include a pair of Mourning Doves and a female Downy Woodpecker. After a mile hike, I reach the Wolf Creek bridge to check out the beaver activity that I discovered a month ago, on a previous hike. Sure enough, the branches they stuffed under the bridge were still in place, damming the creek and creating a large pond for their lodge. Turning around, I spot a perching Eastern Bluebird. Years ago, these birds would have migrated by now to warmer climates of Texas and southeastern states. However, because of milder Michigan winters, more and more of them are situational migrants, meaning they are residents that stay in the vicinity of their breeding territories year-round. However, snowstorms and blizzards may force them to temporarily migrate. These birds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, they have been observed capturing and eating larger prey such as shrews, salamanders and tree frogs. These birds are skilled fliers with incredible vision. They can spot an insect on the ground from 60 feet away. Heading west, I first observe a few Opossum tracks in the snow and then I look hard, through a dense stand of tall Phragmites, at a stand of cattails, reminding me that the invasive species continues to push out the native species. Proceeding west, I’m surrounded by Tamarack trees whose dead needles have dropped to cover the trail in front of me. This tree, sometimes called an Eastern Larch or Hackmatack, is a unique deciduous conifer that displays green needles in the spring and summer (stock photo), that turn yellow in the fall (stock photo), before dropping to the ground. Similar to Cedar, the wood of this tree is virtually rot-proof, making it ideal for making shingles, patio furniture and decks. Porcupines eat the inner bark. Snowshoe Hares eat the seedlings and Red Squirrels eat the seeds. Nearing the car, I gaze at a stark landscape, colored with scattered branches of leafless Red Osier Dogwood shrubs.

Blossoms of pink

Finches of gold

Dormancy and death

Have taken hold

Voice of the Vireo

Pines embrace

Song of silence

Has taken its place

For other seasons

Do not yearn

Nature is ready

It’s winter’s turn

 

D. DeGraaf