January 1

Mild temperatures in the mid 50’s and overcast skies greet me as I begin my weekly nature hike in Alma’s Conservation Park. Soon, I pause to watch a pair of White tail deer along with a scampering Fox Squirrel. Following a narrow earthen trail, I spot a woody vine of Oriental Bittersweet coiling its way around a Honeysuckle branch. This invasive plant, native to Japan, China, and Korea was originally introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental and for erosion control. As the vine grows in diameter, it literally chokes or girdles other plants that it is clinging to. Between the girdling growth habit and sheer weight, whole canopies of a forest can tumble down during the growing season. Nearby, I notice a lush patch of American Tree moss growing in decaying layer of Maple leaves. Following a trail along the edge of the native prairie, I see several seed heads of Bergamot and think back a few months ago when they were flowering (stock photo). After hiking along the park’s south end, I turn north, pass the renovated Girl Scout cabin where a couple of curious Whitetails stare at me through the dense underbrush. Up ahead, I pause to observe the bright red, oval-shaped hips of Wild Rose. Rosehips are so loaded with nutrients that they can be considered a superfood. They contain Vitamins A, B complex, C, E, K and minerals including calcium, silica, iron, and phosphorus. They are particularly high in flavonoid-rich antioxidants which strengthen heart and blood vessels and prevent degeneration of tissue. They contain carotenes including lycopene that have been linked with cancer prevention. Natural pectin found in rosehips is beneficial for gut health. Continuing north to the edge of the Pine River Mill Pond, I scan the surface and notice a small floating gathering of Mallards near shore and a large gathering of male Common Mergansers along the far shore. These large diving ducks find their prey by sight, often probing sediments and underwater stones with their slender bills grasping small fish such as sticklebacks, chubs and minnows. The elegant gray-bodied females have rich, cinnamon heads with a short crest (stock photo). These ducks maybe year-round residents or arriving from summer breeding grounds in the north. Moving along the high bank, I circle back to check out the feeders at the Eyer Bird Observation Hut. Sightings, include a Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch 

 

No midnight toast

To start the year

A restless coyote

A resting deer

No ringing bells

Or dropping balls

Dark of night

An owl calls

Mother nature

Obeys her laws

No celebrations

No time to pause

 

D. DeGraaf