December 30

The early morning temperatures are in the low 30’s under cloudy skies as I enter a narrow, snow-covered trail that winds its way through a dense forest of aging conifers on the east side of Alma’s Conservation Park (stock photo). The trail then curves south past a variety of tree trunks. Because Red Pine trees grow tall and straight and the wood is strong, they are often lumbered for utility poles. The trail then curves north past a Boxelder tree. Box elders are generally considered a “weedy” tree and are held in pretty low regard by most people. They reproduce and spread rapidly as well as hosting swarms of Box Elder bugs. The trail then curves east past a young Maple tree. Dead leaves sometimes stay on trees because their abscission layer is not fully developed, allowing them to remain attached through winter, potentially protecting buds from harsh weather, deterring browsing animals like deer, or providing a layer of insulation. This phenomenon is most commonly seen on Beech trees. The trail proceeds south and then to the southeast past a large Maple trunk. Sap flow in early winter is primarily caused by the temperature fluctuations needed for it to run, with freezing nights and warmer days being the ideal conditions. The trail then curves back to the east past a Red Cedar Tree.  A significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. The blue fruits on the female trees are consumed by a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cedar Waxwing songbird, which is named for this tree. The trail loops back to the west where crows are heard. American Crows can be considered partially migratory. That is, some populations migrate, others are resident, and in others only some of the crows migrate. These crows in the southern parts of their range appear to be resident and do not migrate. The trail then turns back to the east where I see Red squirrel tracks. These squirrels mainly feed on the seeds and cones of evergreen trees. However, they will also eat bird eggs, berries, and fruit when they are available. During the summer, they collect and hide seeds and nuts so they have food storage during winter. Next, the trail curves back to the west to the edge of the forest. The trail then proceeds west across the easement. Prairies are temperate grasslands made up mostly of warm season grasses, sedges, and flowering plants such as Sunflowers, Cone flowers and Bergamot.These ecosystems are among the most decimated and threatened natural communities in the Midwest. Finally, the trail turns sharply to the north and proceeds to the end.

Winter arrives

December departs

Over the snow

Red squirrel darts

Clouds of gray

Pines of green

Among branches

Bluejay seen

Ice-covered pond

Descending fog

Tracks on trail

Moss on log

 

D. DeGraaf

December 23

Under mostly cloudy skies, scattered ground fog and temperatures in the low 30’s, I find myself hiking in a section of the massive Maple River State Game Area, east of US 127, between Ithaca and St. Johns. Heading east on a path of crushed asphalt, I look afar to see a curious Whitetail deer watching me, while to my right, I notice a muddy pond covered with a green slime. Upon a closer look, I see a mixture of Duckweed and Water meal. These surface floating plants thrive in water containing unwanted nutrients from geese droppings, lawn fertilizer and agricultural run-off. A dense layer of these plants can block sunlight, preventing underwater plants and algae from photosynthesizing and producing oxygen, killing native aquatic organisms. Along the way, I observe snowcapped seed heads of Buttonbush, Motherwort and Wild Carrot. Scanning the wetlands, I spot a 4 ft wide x 3 ft high Muskrat lodge dusted with snow. These mammals build their lodges, with cattails, mud and other materials cleared from the marsh. The lodge has an underwater entrance chewed out from the inside, creating a shelter that protects them from predators and weather. Besides lodges, muskrats also build smaller platforms (stock photo) for resting and feeding. They don’t just use cattails for lodges, but for food as well, eating virtually every part of the plant. Turning south, I follow a 2-track lined with snow-capped seed heads of the invasive Common Teasel, on my right. This plant is a threat to pastures, natural areas, and roadsides. It was introduced to the United States in the 1700s when it was used in the textile industry to raise the nap on woolen cloth, meaning it was used to brush the surface of the fabric with the dried, prickly heads of the teasel plant (stock photo) to pull out loose fibers and create a soft, fluffy texture on the wool, essentially making it appear plusher and warmer. Soon thereafter, it escaped cultivation and spread throughout the United States. Also to my right, down in a narrow, iced covered creek, I notice an open channel created by swimming muskrats. Heading back to the car, I’m surprised to come upon a Red Maple tree in bloom, displaying red flower clusters. Usually this tree blooms in late winter or early spring. Also, I spot a 4-inch long red winter twig sprouting from a nearby maple trunk.  With a break in the cloud cover, I catch a brief glimpse of the morning sun, recognizing its low elevation above the horizon, only a few days since the winter solstice and the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere.

Time once again

To recognize you

In gratitude

For all you do

For every plant

Your daily rays

For every creature

Warmth that stays

Star of the day

Orb of the sky

Sun of the heavens

Your solstice is nigh

 

D. DeGraaf

December 16

The early morning temperatures are in the low 30’s, under overcast skies, as I watch the Chippewa River flow rapidly through the 150-acre Meridian Park, three miles SW of Mt. Pleasant. Following an earthen path along the riverbank, I spot black berry clusters of Common Buckthorn and red-orange berries of American Bittersweet. Bittersweet berries are poisonous to humans, but songbirds, ruffed grouse, pheasant, and fox squirrels do eat them. Further ahead, I notice the dried seedheads of Common Ninebark as well as evergreen leaves and emerging blossoms of Bush Germander, an escaped cultivar that blooms in winter. As the trail follows the water’s edge, I come upon some orange slime floating among dead cattail leaves. While rarely seen along the river, this stuff is from naturally occurring bacteria that make their energy by oxidizing iron that is present in some soils. In addition to the slime, I observe patches displaying a rainbow-colored, oil-like sheen. Turning away from the river, I spot a white birch tree trunk displaying an organized series of holes made by a species of woodpecker, called the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (stock photo). These birds tap the tree for sap in the springtime, circling a trunk or large limb with their tiny drill holes. Following the trail up a steep bank, I pause and look down at a crescent-shaped wetland that was once part of the main river channel and later, an oxbow lake. This sequence of events occurs when a meandering river, (stock photo), like this section of the Chippewa, experiences a surging flood that reroutes the main channel, closing the meander neck and isolating a curved-shaped body of water referred to as an oxbow lake (stock photo). In this case, the lake eventually dried up, leaving only a cattail marsh and seasonal stream. Continuing along the high bank, I notice an old tapered beaver stump, now covered with Turkey tail fungi, more evidence that the main river once flowed nearby, Before turning around, I pause to hear a cawing crow while barely seeing a Muskrat swim along a narrow outflow. Making my way back to the car, I come upon a young Jack Pine tree with some branches displaying woody tumors, called galls. Referred to as Pine Gall Rust, this disease is caused by fungal spores that initially infect the needles and then move into branches. Infected branches become brittle and eventually snap off. Galls on the main branch can disrupt the tree's vascular system, eventually killing it. Nearing the car, I pass a few lingering patches of snow before spotting a whitetail deer running for cover. 

Deep in the woods    

Noises cease               

Sounds subdued

Nature at peace

Mid of December

End of the year

Mother prepares

Slumber is near

Tucks her children

Turns down the light

Covers them up

With blanket of white

 

D. DeGraaf

December 9

With noontime temperatures in the low 30’s and partly sunny skies, I’m hiking on a snow-dusted earthen trail in Harris Nature Center near Okemos, Michigan. Right away, I notice on the ground, some white Crust fungi growing on the cut-end of a downed log and a dark, thick, convoluted woody vine of Wild Grape. Up ahead, I watch a Gray Squirrel scamper up a tree and then walk over to check out its tracks in the snow. Soon, I come to the bank of the Red Cedar River where I see its water flow quietly from upstream before flowing rapidly past a pile of dead Ash trees. This watercourse has traveled some 40 miles from its source south of Howell and will continue another 10 miles west to Lansing where it converges with the Grand River. Back in the middle of the 20^th century, the Red Cedar River was very polluted, flowing through a stark and barren landscape. After much effort, the river landscape is now scenic and the water is clean. However, a recent risk downstream, is pollution caused by E. Lansing residents dumping abandoned electric scooters into the river where toxic lithium from their batteries leach out. Walking along the snowy bank, I come to a sandy shore where I spot a ¾ inch shell of a Marsh Ramshorn snail. These snails are the intermediate hosts of a parasite that's the most common cause of swimmer's itch in Michigan's lakes. This condition is an allergic reaction to a blood fluke released into the water by infected snails that burrow into human skin, causing small, itchy bumps. Near the snail shell are several ¼ inch Fingernail Clam shells. Also known as pill clams or pea clams, they are filter feeders that remove organic materials from the river. Turning away from the river, I continue through a woodland where I see the mottled trunk of a Sycamore tree, a scaly trunk of a Swamp Oak tree and a moss-covered trunk of a Hop Hornbeam tree. On the ground, I spot tiny heart-shaped green leaves of Ground Ivy (Creeping Charley) and recall the purple blossoms displayed on this ground cover during the spring (stock photo). Before returning to the car, I stop by some bird feeders behind the Center’s classroom where I notice some usual visitors, including a Tufted Titmouse and a Downy Woodpecker.  In a nearby tree, I spot a perching Northern Cardinal and White-breasted Nuthatch while on the ground I see a foraging Dark-eyed Junco. Next to the feeders, in a large cage, I watch two, permanently injured, Red-tailed hawks that were rescued years ago and now live in captivity where they are cared for and put on public display.

Late autumn woodland

Mighty oak stands bare

Squirrel scampers up

Toward his leafy lair

Hightailing skyward

Filling his cache

Over furrowed bark

Along branches gray

Perched in a crotch

Mate lingers near

Through barren twigs

Snow clouds appear

 

D. DeGraaf

December 2

To avoid a stray bullet from an aimless deer hunter, I’m hiking in the Hiawatha Hills Preserve, a 5-acre, semi-residential parcel, located four miles west of Mt. Pleasant. The early morning weather is cold and cloudy as I scan the landscape that can best be described as an Ash Tree graveyard. Thirty years ago, this place would have been a dense woodland dominated by tall, healthy Ash trees (stock photo). Since then, the larvae of the Emerald Ash Borer (stock photo) has infected, girdled and killed all of them that are now seen as large grey trunks sprawled on the ground in various stages of decay. Moving a short distance, I come to the edge of the Chippewa River and pause to look at and listen to its flowing water. Along the bank, I observe the trunk of a dead tree, most likely killed by Bootstrap fungi. Honey mushrooms are parasitic on live wood and send out these long root-like structures between the wood of a tree and its bark, killing the tree. When fresh, these roots are cream colored but darken to brown or black as they age. The fungus is also called root rot or shoestring root rot. Exploring the flood plain, I spot a green rosette of Wild Radish. This plant is non-native and invasive in Michigan. Depending on the season, the entire plant is edible, including leaves, roots, blossoms and the segmented pods that have a radish-like taste (stock photo). Moving away from the river, I come upon a small pile of red feathers from a Northern Cardinal, most likely the leftovers of a predator-prey confrontation between this bird and a hawk or owl. Other observations, include an old, hard 8-inch Artist Conk shelf fungus and a patch of Pixie cup Lichens. Nearby, in contrast to much of my drab-colored surroundings, I notice the red-orange leaves of a Barberry bush and remember the bright red fruit it displayed earlier in the season (stock photo). Leaving this preserve, I take a short drive to the other side of the river to the 2-acre Neyer Preserve where I hike past American Beech and Canadian Hemlock trees. Downstream, I spot mounds of white foam on the water surface. These natural suds result from higher levels of organic decomposition this time of year forming these dense masses of air bubbles. Along the far shore, I watch a few whitetail deer scamper in single-file below a river-front house. While heading back to the car, I pause to enjoy the quietude and scenery of this riparian ecosystem. From here, the Chippewa flows another 30 miles east before converging with the Pine River at the Chippewa Nature Center near Midland.

Early December days

Neath leafless trees

Nature at attention

Mother Earth at ease

Beside a shrinking pond

No frogs with leopard skin

Atop the meadow grass

No spider webs to spin

Squirrels of woodlands

Prepare for winter’s blast

Hoarding their food

Autumn breathes her last

 

D. DeGraaf

November 25

With mid-morning temperatures in the low 40’s, I begin my hike in dense fog at Alma’s Conservation Park, serenaded by a Blue Jay. My goal is to plan a path that I hope to turn into a self-guided nature trail, open to the public next summer. Called the “Trail of Trees”, (stock photo) this ½ mile loop will identify and describe common conifers and broadleaf trees growing close to the trail. Beginning in a counter-clockwise direction along the bank of the Pine River millpond, I could label such trees as White and Red Cedar and provide a printed pamphlet giving information about the differences between them. I could include the old, dying White Birch tree and note the lichens and moss that grow on its trunk. Continuing west, I could include the tall White Pine next to the deck and describe its role in Michigan’s logging history. Up ahead, I could include the Big-tooth Aspen tree and describe how its soft wood is used to make pulp and particle board. Further along, I could include the Red Oak tree and the proximate Burr Oak tree comparing their leaf shape, bark texture and acorn size. Turning south, I could include a s Black Locust tree describing its compound leaves and bean-like seed pods. Turning east on the paved service road, I could include the unique bark design of a Norway Spruce tree trunk and identify some of its fallen cones on the ground nearby. I could include a dead Ash ree trunk with borer tunnels and describe the recent demise of this species. Next, I come to the Eyer Learning Circle, turn north and proceed to the outward-facing benches. Moving around the circle and sitting on different benches, I could include an old, dying Scotch Pine tree trunk and point out how the younger trees are commonly used as in-home Christmas trees.  From another bench, I could include an old, bare tree trunk, called a snag, that is a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. As the sun breaks through, I follow a narrow earthen trail north where I could include the large trunk of a Red Pine tree, comparing its bark and needles to the previous-seen White Pine tree. Up ahead, I could include the distinctive bark of a Black Cherry tree trunk and look for its fruit on the ground or high in branches during the summer months. Nearing the trailhead, I could include both the sinewy bark of a small Musclewood tree and the smooth gray bark of a large Beech tree and compare how their wood was used by Native Americans. Next summer, after completing the “Trail of Trees” and returning to the parking lot, I hope hikers will stop to enjoy the Butterfly Garden.

November book closes

Most pages read

Month of memories

Stir in my head

Trees of green

Decay to brown

From colorful canopy

To leafless crown

Moments to ponder

Miles of trails

Whenever the season

Nature prevails

 

D. DeGraaf

November 18

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 30’s, under partly sunny skies and a gentle west wind, as I begin my hike on a grass trail at Forest Hill Nature Area. Following the path west, I arrive on the edge of Sora Swale, one of several wetlands in the Nature Area. Scanning from here reveals a nearly waterless landscape never before seen. Because of a long-term draught, it looks dramatically different than it did a few years ago (stock photo). Some 30 years ago, Forest Hill Nature Area started out as farmland with no wetlands. During its first few years, with help from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service, drain tiles were broken, allowing rainwater and snow melt to fill in the low spots and form year-round wetlands, like Sora Swale, that developed into ideal habitat for wildlife. Moving into South woods, I veer off the trail to find a weathered, 2-ton, granite boulder covered with moss, lichens and fungi. This sighting begs two questions: how did it get here and how old is it? Referred to as a glacial erratic, this rock was transported here by a glacier at the end of Michigan’s last ice age, some 12,000 years ago. During its journey south, a much larger boulder was weathered and eroded before coming to rest. Once here, it continued to get smaller and smoother during years and years of exposure to wind, rain, ice and snow. Continuing through South woods, I first glance down to see the trunk of an Aspen tree shredded by a Pileated Woodpecker looking for Carpenter ants and then glance up to see the delicate, yellow, autumn-blooming flowers on a Witch Hazel tree. Looping around to the east, I arrive at another wetland called, Willow Wallow, that too is nearly dried up but, retains enough water to support a family of muskrats. Up ahead, I come upon an abandoned Robin’s nest wedged in the crotch of a Thornapple tree and think about how wise the mother bird was last spring to build her mud-lined, nest in a tree shielded from predators by dense leaves and prickly thorns. Ascending Reflection Hill, I first notice the amber-gold color of a patch of Switch grass and then a leafless tree in the distance laden with orange fruit. Upon a closer look, I identify the fruit as cherry-size, Harvest Gold crabapples. Most crabapples are best suited for preserves rather than eating them raw. Descending the hill, I come to the grassy edge of Grebe Pond and notice, like other wetlands on the property, the water level is very low compared to what it was a few years ago (stock photo). Even so, I spot a few mallards swimming along the far shore. Despite frequently seeing mallards around here, their population is in rapid decline. One reason is the natural cross breeding of wild mallards with game-farm mallards released from hunting preserves. Game-farm mallards are passing on less desirable traits to wild mallards, making it harder for them to survive and thrive in the natural world. 

Hunting days, barely begun

Run, run, whitetail run

Far away from the hunter’s gun

Run, run, whitetail run

Some humans shoot for fun

Run, run, whitetail run

Low light of the morning sun

Run, run, whitetail run

Stay alive till season’s done

Run, run, whitetail run

 

D. DeGraaf

November 11

The early morning sky is overcast and temperatures are in the mid 50’s as Caroline, Riley and I begin hiking an earthen trail in Mt Pleasant’s Mission Creek Woodland Park. Today, I’m on my seasonal quest to spot any vegetation in the wild that still retains enough chlorophyll pigment to show off the green color that has mostly disappeared from this autumn landscape. My first discovery is one of several tufts of Woodland Sedge that will remain green in the forest most of the winter. Proceeding down a steep slope to Mission creek, I pause to look and listen as its water flows gently downstream. Following the leaf-covered bank, I stop to take in this riparian ecosystem. This 2.5 mile watercourse begins west of here and will flow another ¼ mile east where it merges with the Chippewa River. Scanning the creek surface, I first see the very green leaves of a Watercress plant and then a ½ inch Water Strider, skating in the shallow water above decaying leaves. Water striders typically live until a freeze hits, but if there is no freeze, they can live for up to a year.. Hiking away from the creek, I come upon a large blacken stump covered with ochre spreading tooth fungi as well as a downed log with rows of Wrinkled Crust fungi. While exploring the flood plain for more green vegetation, I come upon a leaf of Greenbriar as well as fronds of a Bracken fern poking through the liter. Up ahead, I observe delicate, palmately-divided leaves of the non-native, Herb Robert.  Sometimes called “Stinky Bob”, freshly picked leaves of this plant have an odor resembling burning tires when crushed. Herb Robert is not poisonous and has no toxic effects to people or wildlife. A few feet away, I watch a 2-inch Dusky Slug moving very sluggishly over a Basswood leaf. Slugs survive the winter by hibernating in protected places, such as under plant debris, mulch or in burrows. Nearby, I spot a patch of green Haircap moss growing on a blacken stump. Approached the car, first I notice a Whitetail Deer standing on a green grassy knoll. Then, I look and listen as a pair of Canada Geese fly south under a partly blue sky. During the second half of the 20^thcentury, this sighting was a sign of the season as flocks of these waterfowl were migrating south for the winter. However, due to milder winters and fewer ice-covered lakes and rivers, a residential population of geese now exists that can be seen flying in any direction in search of snowless fields and open water.

Midst of November

Nature takes a rest

Leafless willow tree

Shows an empty nest

Rain refills the creek

Cattails bow down

Herons bid farewell

Buck shows his crown

At the forest edge

Chickadees greet

Meadow colors fade

Autumn in retreat

 

D. DeGraaf

November 4

Along with sunny skies and chilly temperatures, my wife, Caroline and dog, Riley join me on a morning hike at the Kenneth Lehman nature trails on the campus of Montcalm Community College. Not far ahead, I pause to scan a placid South Twin Lake, surrounded by a colorful autumn landscape. Following a path around the lake, I spot the red fruit of a Swamp Rose vine and a Japanese Barberry shrub. Berries from this shrub are edible by humans but are too sour to eat raw and have a bitter taste. They’re also eaten by birds that spread the seeds, causing a rapid spread of this invasive species. Continuing on the leaf-covered trail, my attention is drawn to a giant (9-inch long) Red Oak leaf among the litter of smaller oak and maple leaves. Large leaves like this one often grow on young, vigorous saplings, especially those located in shady areas. Up ahead, I come upon a Wood Duck box mounted on a pole with a protective cone on it to keep raccoons, red foxes and black rat snakes from preying on the ducklings. Looking up, I spot some Sugar Maple leaves wafting to the ground. Colder temperatures and shorter photoperiods trigger a hormone in these trees that sends a chemical message to every leaf. Once the message is received, a bumpy line of cells grow between the leaf stem and the branch until they separate (stock photo). Nearby, I get a close-up look at a multi-prong thorn of a Thornapple tree. While these thorns are not poisonous, researchers have discovered that they harbor an array of pathogenic bacteria as yet another defense mechanism for the tree. Looking around, I notice the distinctive muscle-like surface on the trunk of a Blue Beech tree.  Also, called Muscle Wood, the tree’s extremely hard wood is used for tool handles, longbows, walking sticks/canes and golf clubs. After watching the morning sun sparkle through the trees, I look down to notice the leaf litter has lots of female cones from the surrounding White Pine trees. Small mammals, like Red Squirrels collect seeds from these cones (stock photo) during autumn and cache them as a winter food source. Birds such as Red-breasted Nuthatches (stock photo) store seeds under tree bark while Pine Siskins (stock photo), frequent seed eaters will flock here in winter. Turning toward the car, I look up to see a large number of reddish-orange berries on vines of American Bittersweet that have overrun a hickory tree. These berries are toxic to humans but a food source for many types of wildlife, including Ruffed grouse, Pheasants, Fox squirrels, Bobwhite, and Turkey.  

I thank the trees

For an autumn show

Spreading their color

To earth below

I thank the birds

For sticking around

To fill the forest

With gifts of sound

I thank the sun

Watching it set

Back in town

The voters fret

 

D. DeGraaf

October 28

It’s mid-morning as I stand on the Barry Rd bridge to watch the water of the Bad River flow slowly under me. The name of this 44-mile watercourse comes from the Chippewa Indians who called the river "maw-tchi-sebe" or quite literally, "bad river," because of how difficult it was to navigate. Current temperatures are in the low 60’s under partly sunny skies and a gusty wind as I turn west and get a brief look at an American Beaver swimming near its partial dam and lodge of mud and piled branches, on the right bank. These lodges are well-insulated and can be 30 degrees warmer than freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, the beaver submerges before I can get a photo. Moving down off the bridge, I begin exploring the nearby floodplain where I come upon a freshly gnawed beaver stump and a well-hidden, 2-inch Leopard Frog. Nearby, I notice Milkweed seeds swaying in the wind, a perching Milkweed Bug and the crimson leaves of a Virginia Creeper vine climbing up a leafless Hawthorn tree. Turning around and crossing to the east side of the bridge, I make my way along a high bank covered with crunchy, fallen leaves. Looking down, I notice the leaf litter contains mostly oak mixed with an evergreen ground cover called Periwinkle. Despite its beautiful purple spring blossoms (stock photo), this non-native plant can spread rapidly and out-compete native species. Moving down closer to the river’s edge, I pause to look and listen as a gust of wind blows a few acorns off an overhanging oak tree into the leaf-covered water. Still on the muddy, shore, I watch the river’s gentle current. From here it flows eastward about 20 miles where it merges with the Shiawassee River, about 2-miles beyond the village of St. Charles. Back up the bank, I look around at a variety of tree trunks, including Wild Cherry, Shagbark Hickory and Hop Hornbeam with a large knot-hole. These holes are often used by insects and small birds like Black-capped Chick-a-dees (stock photo). Nearby, I spot a partially buried deer carcass and a few 2-inch dried, spiny seedpods of Wild Cucumber. Hydrostatic pressure that builds as the seedpods dry may cause them to burst open, flinging the seeds to the ground. (stock photo), occasionally making an audible sound. Looking skyward near the car, I observe the colorful, wind-blown leaves of a mature, Red Oak tree. The range and intensity of these colors are greatly influenced by the weather. The dry, sunny weather we’ve had this fall increased the production of the red pigment, anthocyanin in such leaves.

Autumn breathes a sigh                             

October breathes its last

Green goes in hiding

Others fading fast

Redwings left the marsh

Most muskrats stayed

Gone the flowered fields

Gone the forest shade

Nature dials down

Calls of creatures wild

No more longer days

No more breezes mild

 

D. DeGraaf

October 21

The early morning air is chilly, under partly sunny skies as I stand on the bank of the Pine River, watching its water flow gently eastward. I’ve entered the grounds of Jasper Township’s Chapel Nature Park, a new public access to the Pine River in Midland County. In addition to a picnic shelter, the park has constructed a modern canoe/kayak launch (stock photo). Nearby, I come upon a sign of the season, a small tree with some of the bark scraped off. Called a buck rub, this is where male deer rub their antlers to remove the velvet-like coating and bulk up their neck and shoulder muscles. They also secrete hormones from glands in their forehead to mark their presence, attract potential mates and suppress sex drives of younger bucks. Looking up, I notice a Cherry tree with several tuffs of stunted, woody shoots attached to some branches. Called Witches’ brooms, they can be a symptom of fungal, bacterial, or viral infection. If left alone, these new branches usually bloom and drop their leaves earlier than other branches of the tree. White spores are often visible on the undersides of any foliage produced on the branches that have been infected (stock photo). Overhead, I spot the leaves and fruit of Bitternut Hickory. The husks of the fruit are thin and dark while the nuts are quite bitter. While not poisonous, they are best left for the squirrels and other wildlife, given their unpleasant taste. Finding the car, I drive about ¼ mile north to the Jasper Township Cemetery and proceed again to the edge of the Pine River to view its water flow fast through a lovely autumn landscape. Looking more closely, I see the amber leaves of a Basswood tree and a Mussel shell submerged in the clear water. Making my way along the flood plain over a dense cover of dry leaf litter, I pause, stoop down to see mostly oak, maple and hickory. Nearby, I come upon the femur and tibia bones of a deer among the leaf litter. Up ahead, I notice a Multi flora Rose vine displaying lots of red-ripe fruit. Called hips, they contain large amounts of vitamin C, can be eaten raw or mashed for jelly or steeped in boiling water to make tea. In addition, they are an important winter food for birds, chipmunks, mice, rabbits and deer. Heading back to the car, I first spot an 8-inch wide Sycamore leaf on the ground and then green leaves of a Greenbriar vine. Also called brambles and prickle ivy, this partially deciduous, partially evergreen plant has the ability to photosynthesize year-round.  Finally, at the car, I scan the colorful distant trees of autumn before heading home.

Milkweed pods

Bursting white

Flossy seeds

Take to flight

Goldenrod

Dying brown

Fading grass

Bowing down

Mother Nature

Shows her hand

Autumn spreads

In meadow land

 

D. DeGraaf

October 14

This morning, I’m greeted by sunny skies, chilly temperatures and a gusty west breeze as I begin my hike in the 17-acre, Mill Pond Natural Area, one of the newest preserves owned by the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. After pausing to watch the Chippewa River flow east toward the rising sun, I make my way along the shore where I spot Raccoon tracks in the mud and dozens of tiny Whirligigs darting over the water surface. Up ahead, I notice a Mallard drake swimming upstream and a 1-inch, male Autumn Meadow Hawk dragonfly basking on a large flat rock. Turning away from the water into the floodplain, I spot several patches of dried stalks of the notorious Garlic Mustard plant that had previously foliated and flowered (stock photo). This species has become one of Michigan’s most invasive weeds, rapidly dominating the forest floor while destroying woodland habitat for many plants and animals. One mother plant can produce thousands of seeds that may remain viable for up to 10 years and while growing, its lateral roots are spreading rapidly, producing chemicals in the soil that repel native plants. Nearby, I come upon some fresh edible and favorable fungi called, Chicken-of-the-woods. Next, I pause to observe a never-before-seen shrub called, Black Jetbead with its fruit clusters. Rarely seen in Michigan, this plant is known to invade forested areas, creating a thick shrub layer which can displace native shrubs and shade out understory species. The berries are highly toxic to humans and can be fatal if eaten. Symptoms, include difficulty breathing, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, abdominal pains, vomiting, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure. Hiking over the dry, crunchy leaf litter, I look up to see a Catalpa tree with its large leaves and foot-long seed pods. These trees are the sole source of food for catalpa worms—caterpillars that feed on the foliage (stock photo). These 2-3 -inch long worms are valued as fish bait whereas some fishermen plant the trees solely for this purpose. Eventually the caterpillar turns into a Catalpa Sphinx moth (stock photo). Nearing the car, I look up to observe the leaves of a never-before-seen tree, called a Chestnut Oak. Rarely seen this far north, this species of oak gets its name from Chestnut-like leaf structure. A closer observation reveals the presence of a round Bullet Gall on one of the leaves. This growth occurs after a tiny female wasp deposits an egg on the leaf. Subsequently, the spherical gall grows around the developing larva (stock photo).

Coo of a dove

Or propeller above

Buzz of the bees

Or blower of leaves

Babbling streams

Or siren that screams

Killdeer afar

Or muffler-less car

Sandhill cranes

Or low-flying planes

Hammering nails

Or tranquil trails

 

D. DeGraaf

October 7

The morning is sunny with temperatures in the low 40’s as I find myself in the Maple River State Game Area, hiking along the bank of the Maple River, as water vapor rises from its surface. As one of few area water courses that flows east to west, this river begins its journey some 60 miles northeast of here, near the town of Owosso and then flows southwest from here another 14 miles where it empties into the Grand River in the village of Muir. Walking east on a dirt road toward the rising sun, I’m surrounded by large Poison climbing Ivy plants, displaying their thick, hairy vines, their colorful leaves and their ¼-inch ripe berries. Birds and mammals eat this fruit and excrete the seeds. Birds may also spread the seeds by regurgitation. However, because all parts of this plant contains a potent allergen, human contact often causes severe itching and blistering of the skin. Walking along the water’s edge, I spot several 3-inch Mussel shells. These bivalve mollusks are filter feeders that eat algae, bacteria and diatoms. In addition, they remove impurities, sequestering heavy metals, and even removing pharmaceuticals and bacteria such as E. coli. Based on the numerous Mussel shells and Raccoon tracks I observe together along the muddy shore, it appears these mammals forage mussels as a main food source (stock photo). Other predators, include birds, otters and muskrats. Empty mussel shells are a refuge for crayfish, snails and fish. Near my feet, I examine the mother-of-pearl inner shells displaying concentric rings. While foresters can look at tree rings to measure its age and learn about the climate and conditions of a forest over many years, limnologists can determine the age of mussels by counting these rings and make observations about long-term stream health. Near the shore, I notice a dense patch of Duckweed with the head of a 3-inch Green frog poking through. Noting that the size of the circular patch (ear drum) behind the eye is similar to the eye, I conclude it’s a female. Males, on the other hand, have eardrums larger than their eyes (stock photo). While frogs don’t eat Duckweed, it is an important food source for aquatic waterfowl and fish. While this tiny, fast-growing plant can completely cover surfaces of ponds, lakes and rivers, blocking sunlight, depleting oxygen and killing submerged wildlife, it can also be used for bioremediation of waterways with excessive amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural runoff. Harvesting duckweed (stock photo)can remove these pollutants and provide valuable livestock feed or fertilizer. 

Autumn days ahead

Mother Nature slows

Redwings have left

Goldenrod shows

Cicadas in concert

Blue Heron wades

Asters in bloom

Greenery fades

October rises

Maple leaves fall

Canopy opens

Snow geese call

 

D. DeGraaf.

September 30

The early morning sky is partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 50’s and a westerly breeze as I begin hiking on the paved Meijer Heartland trail, east from Academy Rd. in Montcalm County. As autumn commences, seasonal changes in foliage color that catch my eye, include Staghorn Sumac, Virginia Creeper and Cinnamon fern. Looking down on the paved trail, it was easy to make out the size and shape of Aspen leaves and leaflets of Green Ash. Looking more closely on Milkweed plants, I first notice a Harvestman resting on a leaf and then a Cluster fly and a Green Bottle fly resting on a seedpod. Continuing east, I glance skyward to see a quarter moon appear next to the short green needles and small brown cones on branches of a Tamarack tree. While these needles are still green, it won’t be long before they all turn brown and drop to the earth. While most conifer trees are evergreen, Tamaracks are a rare exception. On either side of the trail, I observe seedpods of St. John’s wort and Hemp Dogbane as well as nutlets of Basswood. Further ahead, as the morning sun appears, I enter the Vestaburg State Game area where I spot a stand of 10-ft tall stalks of Phragmites with their wispy seed heads swaying in the breeze. Many cattail stands within the state game area have been choked out by this highly invasive reed. Near the 1 ½ mile turn-around, I pause at the edge of a pond and get a close look at the head of a Green frog next to a lily pad. Like other frogs, these amphibians have well developed senses. Their bulging eyes allow them to see in many directions. The round spot behind the eye is used for hearing (stock photo). This specialized patch of tissue vibrates when sound waves hit it. The vibrations are then transferred to the frog’s brain where there interpreted. Nearby, I watch some Milkweed bugs crawling among the dried out pods and flossy seeds of Milkweed. Turning around and heading west, I look up to watch the leaves of an Aspen tree “quake” with the mild breeze. Near the ground, the breeze sways the flossy seeds of Old Man’s Beard while a noisy Blue Jay calls out. Continuing west, colorful blossoms that capture my attention, include Tickseed Sunflower, Flat-top Aster and the highly invasive, Spotted Knapweed.  Up ahead, I observe the scale-like needles and pale blue berries of a Red Cedar tree as well as the white berries of Gray Dogwood. Near the car, I pause on the edge of a small pond to watch a swimming muskrat and notice a hybrid species of cattail with brown, female flower spikes 12-inches long, twice as long as native species. 

Late in September

Summer falls asleep

Lady Autumn awakes

In the forest deep

Quaking Aspen leaves

Litter the muddy ground

Most are pale yellow

A few, spotted brown

Beside a peaceful glade

Ferns give up their green

On the meandering creek

Mallards can be seen

 

D. DeGraaf

September 23

The early morning temperatures are in the mid 50’s while the sun shines bright in a cloudless sky as I hike on private land, a few miles north of Sumner, MI. Overhead, I see some Red Maple leaves are changing colors with the season, while at my feet, I notice a resting, 1-inch Meadow Grasshopper. Entering an open field ahead, in the distance, I spot an Eastern Phoebe perching on a plant stalk. Continuing to explore the area, I first come upon yellow blossoms of Gray Goldenrod and then a circular web where a small spider, called a Spotted Orbweaver hangs upside down in the center, waiting for prey. The web is made of non-sticky silk lines that nearly intersect in the middle and sticky concentric silk lines that extend to the center. This spider species eats flying insects that get caught in its web, such as beetles, moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, and damselflies. When an insect is trapped, the spider rushes to bite and paralyze it, then wraps it in silk. Nearby, I come upon a never-before-seen plant, called Carolina Horsenettle with sharp prickles on its stem and a few nearly-ripe olive-size berries. This invasive, noxious weed spread northward to Michigan from southeastern US. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and livestock, if consumed. Also, the sharp prickly stems can cause mechanical mouth and esophageal injury to foraging livestock. Entering a nearly-dry wetland, I first notice blue blossoms of Swamp Aster and then watch a Turkey Vulture descend and perch high in a leafless tree. From a distance, I determine it’s a female, since she does not have a red head. As a defense mechanism, these birds may vomit on another bird, animal, or human that gets too close. Considering what they eat, this can be a powerful weapon. When it’s hot outside, they will defecate on their feet to cool off. Their stomach acid is extremely acidic, so they can digest just about anything. This also allows them to eat carcasses tainted with anthrax, tuberculosis and rabies without getting sick. By taking care of the carrion, vultures provide an essential service for the health of our ecosystems. Without them, carcasses would accumulate and diseases would spread from rotting flesh. Heading back toward the car, I pass a small pond, a fawn carcass and then pause to observe some fall-blooming white flowers of Old Field Aster, also referred to as Hairy Aster or Frost Aster.

From trail afoot

To sky afar

Our daily light

Our neighbor star

Season to season

Summer’s curtain call

Magnifico Sol

Welcome to fall

Earthly orbit

Never to end

Another year

Back again

 

D. DeGraaf

September 16

The late morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the upper 60’s and a gentle westerly breeze as I begin hiking in Forest Hill Nature Area. Proceeding through a meadow, blanketed in yellow blossoms of Goldenrod, my ears perk up to a loud chorus of insects, including the continual trill of Tree crickets (stock photo). These rarely-seen, delicate, lime-green insects are a far cry from the sights and sounds of ground-based, dark-colored field crickets (stock photo). Moving to the muddy shore of a nearly-dried up, vernal pond, I spot a ½ inch Marsh Rams-horn snail shell. This gastropod is a detritivore, grazing on decaying plants, dead organism and algae. They also play a role in the aquatic food web by serving as prey for fish, turtles and birds. Following an earthen trail, the bright red fruit on a Winterberry shrub catches my eye. While many mammals and bird eat these berries, they are considered toxic to humans.. Ingestion of the fruit is known to cause dizziness, stomach pain, nausea and low blood pressure. Looking up, I spot an oak tree where some leaves are curled and covered with bumps, a condition called Jumping Oak Gall. Caused by a very tiny wasp (stock photo) that laid eggs in leaf buds, each pinhead-size gall contains a developing larva that eventually falls to the earth. Fallen galls are sometimes observed to “jump” due to vigorous movements of larvae within each gall. Further ahead, I pause and scan a large wetland as a loud Blue Jay adds to the sound effects. Looking near shore, I spot a 6-inch Painted Turtle basking on a log. These reptiles have few predators. However, skunks, raccoons and foxes may eat the eggs from their subterranean nests. They are diurnal, being most active in the morning. At night they may sleep at the bottom of a pond or on a partially submerged rock. Painted turtles hibernate at the bottom of a pond during the winter to avoid extremely cold temperatures. Turning back toward the car, I first see a colorful Autumn Meadow-hawk dragonfly. These insects feed on small, soft-bodied invertebrates that they spot from a perch and then fly out and “hawk” from the air. Nearby, I notice a Viceroy butterfly, perched on a folded-up, flowerhead of Queen Anne’s Lace. Unlike a similar-looking Monarch, this insect does not migrate. Instead, it will spend the winter in a caterpillar stage (stock photo), rolling itself up in a leaf. When the temperature warms in spring, it will leave the leaf shelter, resume feeding on willows and poplars, pupate and finally emerge as a butterfly. 

September days unfold

Way it’s always been

Mother Nature artist

Dips her brush again

On the forest canvas

Dabs of orange and red

Among leaves of maple

Some yellow is spread

In the open meadow

Prairie grasses seen

Late summer palette

Few strokes of green

 

D. DeGraaf

September 9

The early morning air is cool with temperatures in the mid 40’s while I face the rising sun, hiking through private wooded property near the northern border of Gratiot County. Along the trail, I notice tall Canadian Goldenrod plants with their spreading stems of yellow flowers growing beside the shorter, Flat-top Goldenrod plants with their bushy yellow flowers and lance-like leaves. Also, growing among the Goldenrod are Ragweed plants with their stalks of green flowers. While Goldenrod pollen gets the blame for seasonal allergies, including itchy eyes and runny nose, the culprit is actually the less-noticeable Ragweed. Both plants grow in similar habitats and bloom at the same time. However, Goldenrod flowers produce large, heavy pollen grains carried by insects while Ragweed flowers produce small, lightweight pollen spread by the wind.  A single Ragweed plant is capable of producing over a billion pollen grains that can blow for miles. Up ahead, I pause to watch a Monarch Butterfly perching on white blossoms of Boneset, opening and closing its wings to sun-dry them. Upon a closer look, I determine it’s a Viceroy Butterfly due to its smaller size and presence of a black line on the hindwing, not found on a Monarch. Unlike Monarchs, Viceroys do not migrate. Their caterpillars grow on willows instead of Milkweed and can survive winter. Viceroys are Monarch mimics. Since Monarchs are toxic, any mammal or bird that might wish to take a bite will regret the decision. Because Viceroys have similar bright flashy colors, it warns predators to leave them alone as well. Approaching a large pond, I watch a Whitetail doe on the far shore looking at me and then giving out a warning call as she darts into the woods. Exploring the pond perimeter, I first spot a couple of tiny instars of Milkweed Bugs crawling on seed pods of a Common Milkweed plant and then pods of a Swamp Milkweed plant, some splitting open to reveal their white flossy seeds while others are covered with tiny orange oleander aphids. Turning back toward the car, my attention is drawn to a nearby pine tree where I hear the call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Next, my ears perk up to a “chipping” sound coming from the underbrush. Upon further investigation, I determine it originates from an Eastern Chipmunk rather than a similar sound of a Northern Cardinal. Hiking along and pausing to look skyward, I spot long female cones hanging from tall Norway Spruce trees while at my feet, I can barely see a 3-inch Leopard Frog well-hidden in the grass. 

Swan song of summer

Nature has her way

Swallows are swarming

Wish they could stay

Queen Anne’s Lace

Fold up their flowers

Meadow shines golden

In daylight hours

Fungi are frequent

Berries abound

Frogs of the marsh

Surrender their sound

 

D. DeGraaf