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.