May 13

With early morning temperatures in the low 50’s, under mostly cloudy skies, I leave my car on the edge of Madison Rd., hike about ¼ mile north past cropland and across a wet flood plain before reaching the bank of Honeyoye Creek where I’m greeted by sounds of its flowing water as well as a Northern Cardinal. On the far bank, I spot two, eight-inch wide Pheasant Back mushrooms displaying their distinct feathery pattern. Another way to identify this fungus is by its un-mushroom like odor, smelling more like a watermelon rind or a freshly sliced cucumber. Following the creek downstream, I listen to the mimicking songs of a Gray Catbird. Beside its cat-like meow sound, this bird has a large repertoire of songs that can last up to 10 minutes. Up ahead, I spot a patch of Cursed Crowfoot with its small yellow blossoms. This species is more toxic than most buttercups. During earlier times, beggars reportedly smeared the juices of the foliage on their faces and arms to create blisters that would solicit sympathy and money from passers-by. In the lush grass on the ground, I notice a vegetative form of Horsetail as well as a Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The hooded inflorescence of this plant resembles a pulpit (a spathe) while a “Jack” (a spadix) standing in the center as if delivering a sermon (stock photo). Continuing east toward Madison Lake, I come upon a patch of Marsh Marigold. While parts of the plant are used medicinally, handling the plant can cause skin irritation and uncooked parts are toxic to human consumption due to irritant yellow oil called protoanemonin. Finally, I pause to watch the creek water empty into 12-acre, Madison Lake. While most lakes in Gratiot County are either excavated, gravel pits filled with ground water or impoundments behind a dammed river, Madison Lake is one of only a couple formed by glaciers that covered this land during the most recent ice age, about 18,000 years ago. Huge masses of ice carved out depressions and scrubbed the land as they moved slowly along. When the glaciers melted, water filled them, forming lakes like this. Nearby, I notice a few snags which are standing dead or dying trees, also known as wildlife trees. These can be caused by disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition and old age. Snags provide important habitats for wildlife, including shelter, nests, and perches. Turning around and heading back toward the car, my ears perk up to a trio of birdsongs, including a Redwing Blackbird, a crow and a new spring arrival, a Common Yellowthroat (stock photo).

Signs of the season

Timid and bold

Out of the mud

Marsh Marigold

Peepers on pond

Killdeers on high

Lighting on litter

Cabbage Butterfly

Creepers climb

Bluebells ring

Nature’s glory

Expressing spring

 

D. DeGraaf