July 1

It’s early morning with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60’s as I hike west from Winans Rd. on the paved Meijer bike trail toward another encounter with Honeyoye Creek. Along the trail, I spot some red, unripe berries of Black Raspberry and orange berries of Tatarian Honeysuckle. The berries of this type of Honeysuckle are toxic. Symptoms of consuming them, include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pains. Blossoms that catch my attention, include yellow Toadflax (Butter-and-Eggs) and pink Milkweed. Arriving at the bike trail bridge, I pause to watch the Honeyoye Creek water flow south and listen to a distant Mourning Dove. Working my way along the top of a steep bank, I hear water flowing into the creek from a large drain tile originating from a nearby cornfield.  Up ahead, while listening to the song of a Tufted Titmouse, I watch a swarm of unknown damselflies flying above the creek channel. Referred to as a damselfly “hatch”, hundreds of aquatic nymphs (stock photo) emerge from the water at the same time, crawl up on the vegetation, grow and dry their wings, before taking to flight. Exploring the nearby bank, I’m not surprised to find one of many 1½-inch perching Stream Bluet damselflies that likely will join the swarm. Many Bluet species prefer ponds and lakes; the Stream Bluet as its name implies is most at home along moving waters. Further downstream, I spot a Muskrat foraging in the creek. These mammals eat the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of water plants, such as cattail, water lilies, and rushes. Even though the muskrat is mainly a plant eater, it also eats small fish, clams, snails, and even turtles. Back on the trail near the bridge, I notice a perching White Spring Moth with a ½-inch wingspan, a perching Eyed Brown Butterfly with a 2-inch wingspan and a perching Red Admiral Butterfly with underwings that look like an old decaying leaf. Upon closer look, (stock photo) the underwing is a complex mosaic of turquoise and yellow with brown circles, thick black lines and successive waves of burgundy and blue. It's a world of color that masquerades as dead vegetation. It is also a beauty distinct from the attractive colors of the upper wings. On the other side of the trail, I spot a raspberry plant that seems to be displaying colorful blossoms which turn out to be dense clusters of Box Elder bugs. Continuing on the trail to the car, I drive a short distance south and stop at the Winans Rd bridge, near the corner of Lincoln Rd., to watch the creek water continue flowing toward its confluence with the Pine River.

Dawn of summer

Nature in stride

Wildflowers bloom

Butterflies glide

Green on the fields

Blue on the Jay

Ducks on the pond

Life on display

Cloudless skies

Vultures above

Croak of the frog

Coo of the dove

 

D. DeGraaf