December 29

While most of December was cold and snowy, today’s early afternoon temperature is 50 degrees under mostly sunny skies and a breeze out of the west as I begin my hike at Hubscher Park, 8 miles west of Ithaca. This 60-acre property was originally a gravel mining site operated by Hubscher & Son, Inc. for more than 30 years. After mining operations ceased, the land was reclaimed and donated to Gratiot County for a public park. Walking along the edge of a large ice-covered gravel-pit lake, I look up to spot a perching Tree Sparrow and look down on the stoney beach to spot some shells of the invasive Zebra Mussel. Nearby, in the dead, drab leaf litter, I’m pleased to see a color for the season in the form of a few red Nightshade berries. Continuing along the shore, I glance out on the ice to see a Muskrat breathing hole and a few Cottonwood leaves that landed here after being blown from the now-exposed leaf litter. Further along, I pass a stand of Cattails and come upon a Cocklebur plant with their brown prickly pods, called burs that each contain 2 seeds.  Most burs are removed from the parent plant during late autumn and throughout the winter as animals brush against them. They easily stick to fur, hair and are dispersed by these roaming creatures. Climbing up a high bank, I watch a sparrow-like bird take a quick bath before flying off. Passing one of the snow patches, I pause to observe the exposed tunnel of a Meadow Vole. These mouse-like mammals (stock photo) stay active all winter, not hibernating, and thrive under the snowpack where they build tunnels, create nests, and feed on grasses, roots, and even tree bark. They form family groups for warmth and protection, relying on the snow for insulation and cover from predators like owls and foxes. Instead of finding tracks in the snow, I find them on the earthen trail, including white-tail deer and raccoon. Turning around, I look up at a tall Cottonwood tree to spot an unusual, ornate growth attached to the trunk. When a Cottonwood branch breaks off or bark is damaged, the tree responds by growing callus wood around the injury. As it closes over time, it can form smooth, pale, sculpted shapes like this. The lighter tone is exposed or newly formed wood that hasn’t yet darkened or fully re-textured to match the surrounding bark. Near the car, a gust of wind blows the clinging leaves of Oak and Beech. As the light lowers, the hike feels complete. December does not rush out; it simply reminds me that even in the quietest season, nature keeps speaking—if only I look and listen. 

Waves that rolled, rivers that flowed

Sun that shone, skies that snowed

O’er fields of summer flowers

Blooming in daylight hours

Paths of dirt, trails of sod

Up and down slopes I trod

Memories held, far and near

Grateful for another year

D. DeGraaf

December 22

The midday temperatures are in the mid 20’s, under mostly sunny skies as I find myself in Alma’s Conservation Park sitting on one of the benches in the Eyer Learning Circle to take in the sights and sounds of nature. Nearby, I stop by the bird feeders where I spot a Chickadee and a Titmouse. On this first day of astronomical winter (solstice), I head west on a familiar trail knowing the sun is only about 23 degrees above the horizon. With sun at my back, I note my shadow is the longest it will be for the year. Nearby, in the snow, I see where a squirrel has been searching for buried nuts, a reminder of movement in a season that seems lifeless. Scanning the woodland, I observe the Oaks and Maples stand bare, their dark branches crisscrossing against a pale sky. Turning north, I reach the high bank of the Pine River millpond where I notice it’s completely iced over. River ice can give the comforting illusion of protection, a white lid sealing the water beneath. In winter, frozen surfaces quiet the current and hide what flows below, but they do nothing to stop pollution. Nutrients, salts, and industrial contaminants continue moving under the ice. Ice may slow surface exchange with the air, yet it cannot filter chemicals or cleanse sediment. When spring arrives, melting ice releases what was hidden, often concentrating pollutants downstream. The frozen river reminds me that nature’s coverings conceal damage but do not repair it. Turning east, I spot a few Oak leaves on the snow. Wildlife announce themselves subtly. A Pileated Woodpecker fills the air with loud taps, and somewhere deeper in the woods a Crow calls. Following a trail to the south, I find the delicate pattern of vole tracks disappearing beneath a fallen log, and farther on, the unmistakable heart-shaped print of a white-tailed deer. Animals, like the plants, are conserving energy, living inward, yet they are unmistakably present. As afternoon wanes, the light takes on a blue-gray quality unique to winter. The sun dips lower, setting the snow to faintly glow while shadows stretch long and slow. This is the hinge of the year, the day when darkness reaches its fullest measure and, almost imperceptibly, begins to loosen its hold. Walking back toward the car, I’m grateful to have taken in the light and warmth of the sun despite its brevity. The solstice offers a clear-eyed acceptance of cycles, of endurance and promises.

You had barely left

When redwings arrived

My memory faded

When cattails thrived

Forgot about you

When summer came

Autumn commenced

Still the same

You finally showed

O heavenly sphere

Winter solstice

Glad you’re here

 

D. DeGraaf

December 15

The temperature is a frigid 17 degrees under cloudy skies as I start hiking through 7 inches of snow along the icy Pine River in Centennial Park in Gratiot County’s village of Sumner. Having walked here many times over the years, I found a photo from December 10, 2018, showing a milder start to that winter. Trudging along the snowy bank, I pause to notice a Red Maple tree displaying reddish-brown flower buds that form in fall and stay on the bare branches through the winter. These buds, often appearing like tiny ruby earrings, add color to the dormant landscape. Nearby, I spot a large, oblong hole in a tree trunk most likely made by a Pileated Woodpecker as an entrance to its nest. This cavity could be 1-2 feet deep and once vacated may provide much-needed shelter for other wildlife. Continuing north on the walking trail, I found a photo from August 9 of 2021 showing a dramatic seasonal contrast. Speaking of contrasts, I observe the dried, shrunken seed husks of a Golden Raintree compared to what they look like in summer (stock photo). Up ahead, I come upon the fruiting body of a Staghorn Sumac compared to what it looks like in summer (stock photo). Continuing down the trail, I come upon a familiar section of the flood plain and remember being here in the spring when Skunk Cabbage begin to sprout. Turning back toward the car, I can’t help but notice the wide open canopy in contrast to what I saw here in the summer (stock photo). Related to this, I look up to see a few dead Red Oak leaves still hanging from branches and contrast this to what this tree looks like in the summer (stock photo). Up ahead, I’m not surprised to see deer tracks in the snow but am surprised to see the tiny frozen berries of Poison Ivy. While the fruit is edible for birds, the plant remains toxic, including stems, roots, and berries. Nearing the car, I notice something I would not see in the summer when trees are leafed out, a squirrel nest. Called a “drey”, this messy-looking ball of leaves, twigs is built high in trees, usually in forks for stability. The nest is essential for protection from predators and weather, especially winter cold, with temperatures inside being 20-30 degrees warmer. Multiple squirrels may share a single nest to stay warm. Squirrels are constantly on the move, scurrying from tree to tree.  Because of that, it’s common for them to have second and third nests located near their main home. These additional nests are often used to hide from a nearby predator, to store extra food and even as a temporary rest stop throughout a day’s activity.

Outer edge of autumn

Thick clouds of gray

Who will survive?

Predator or prey

Hungry raptor

Scans the field of snow

Perhaps a bird or mouse

Waiting for one to show

Sudden swoop 

From a leafless tree

Missed the mark

Another goes free

 

D. DeGraaf

December 8

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 20’s under cloudy skies and a steady south wind as I begin hiking north from Madison Rd on 6-inches of fresh snow into Gratiot County’s Lumberjack Park. Coming to a stairway, I look down at a boardwalk spanning an ice-covered wetlands and think back to 2017 when we built steps and this boardwalk as part of a newly-created nature trail system. Following the trail, the site of the footbridge over Mud Creek brings back lots of memories. Construction of this bridge also took place in 2017 when we dragged two, 30-ft telephone poles across a neighbor’s field to span the creek and cover them with planks, milled from Oak trees in the park. Crossing the creek, I continue on the trail and note how the fresh snow creates a wonderful canvas for nature to depict distinct leaf shapes of White oak, Red oak and even Pin oak. Continuing among mature Red and White pine trees. I come to the edge of the Pine River and pause to listen to a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Arriving at a snow-covered bench high on a bank above the river, I think back to 2016 when this trail was one of the first to be established as part of the park trail system. It was that year when members of the park board asked me to help design and construct a nature trail system that included an undeveloped 20-acre parcel on the northeast side of the river. Over the years, this bench has been a favorite stop for park patrons, whether it be winter, spring, summer or fall. Looping back over the Lumberjack Rd bridge, I proceed along the south riverbank and pause to watch the water flow past snow-capped rocks. Continuing south through the Campground trail, I’m reminded that although the trail was officially opened to the public in 2018, it was not until 2019 that this section was added to the trail system. Nearing the car, I pause on the Madison Rd bridge, watch the river flow underneath me while listening to a Black-capped Chickadee. I also think about the past 9 years and all those who helped create a park-wide nature trail system that is still in use today. This history must be put in the context of the park itself. A hundred years ago this land included the last remaining stand of virgin White Pine in Gratiot County.  Slated to be cut down, a group calling themselves the Lumberjack and Rivermen Association purchased the 40-acre parcel for a park that preserved the forest. As a legacy to the” shanty boys” who once worked there, a bunkhouse and cook shanty were constructed in 1930, a pavilion in 1931 and the caretaker's house in 1947. 

Early December

Mostly leafless trees

Nature at attention

Mother Earth at ease

Beside a frozen pond

No frogs with green skin

Atop the snowy grass

No spider webs to spin

Squirrels of woodlands

Prepare for winters blast

Storing their food

Autumn breathes her last

 

D. DeGraaf

December 1

The early morning sky is clear with temperatures near freezing as I enter the Emma Burnham Outdoor Center operated by the St. Louis Public Schools. Years ago, most school districts in Gratiot County had properties like this (stock photo) where students were taught outdoor education as part of the curriculum. However, because of current academic pressures and cultural changes, these properties, including this one, are either underutilized or abandoned. Thank goodness, students in our county schools can still put away their cellphones and receive much-needed outdoor education from Forest Hill Nature Area (stock photo). Following a path south into a mature deciduous forest, I’m not surprised to see the canopy open and the ground covered with a thick layer of leaves. Looking more closely at the leaf litter, I spot mostly Red Oak leaves along with a few White Oak and Bur Oak. The dull, earthy brown color of these leaves is due to a chemical compound called Tannin which remains after the green and red pigments break down. Up ahead in the leaf litter, I notice a single Sugar Maple leaf and a few Beech leaves among the oaks. Nearby, random observations of leaf litter, include a single Quaking Aspen Leaf, fresh Raccoon scat and a green Buckthorn leaf retaining its chlorophyll. Continuing to walk through the leaf litter, I’m reminded how these leaves decompose, returning essential elements to the soil. This litter creates a critical microhabitat and provides insulation for a wide array of wildlife during the winter months. Also, leaf litter offers shelter and camouflage for small mammals and a variety of ground-foraging birds. Insects and other invertebrates that live within the leaf litter serve as a crucial food source for birds, especially during the winter months. Leaf litter acts as a natural mulch, which helps the soil retain moisture by reducing evaporation and moderating soil temperature extremes. Shuffling through the leaves, I’m reminded how they form a protective cover that absorbs the impact of rain, prevents soil compaction and erosion, allowing rainwater to filter into the ground. Looping around on an earthen trail, I observe a tree trunk with an 18-inch growth called a Burl. Burl wood is highly sought after by furniture makers for its unique beauty (stock photo). Further along, I come upon a decaying log covered with Turkey Tail mushrooms. One of the active ingredients in this fungus is a polysaccharide-PSK, an approved cancer therapy in Japan for conditions like gastric, colon and lung cancers.

Dawn of December

Pulse of nature slows

Decaying leaf litter 

Covered by early snows

Down earthen tunnels

Retreat meadow mice

Over the vacant pond

Brittle layer of ice

Creature sounds are few

No buzzing of bees

Only a Chickadees call

Heard among the trees

 

D. DeGraaf

November 24

The early afternoon temperatures are in the mid 40’s under partly sunny skies and a west wind as I begin my hike in Alma’s Conservation Park. Following an earthen path, I notice the leaf litter and then pause to scan a wooded area displaying tree trunks of a variety of colors, textures and sizes. Leaving the area, my attention is drawn to a partially decomposed carcass of a female Whitetail deer. A closer look reveals the presence of a Common Green Bottle fly. These flies, found almost everywhere in the world, are attracted to unsanitary and moist environments, such as feces, garbage, and carcasses like this. Not visible on this video are hundreds of ½ -inch larvae (stock photo) crawling and feeding on the decaying organic matter. Proceeding through a wide power line easement, I see a recent mowing has cut down much of the vegetation. Years ago, the City of Alma and the power company established a native prairie grassland on this land. Once established, annual mowing helps warm season grasses and prairie wildflowers to thrive while curbing the overgrowth of cool season grasses and woody plants. Heading along the south boundary, I spot a Common Privet shrub displaying a few of its dark berries. While birds can eat the berries, they offer low nutritional value and are considered harmful to humans, dogs, cats and livestock. Far ahead, I easily spot a black squirrel (Melanistic morph of a gray squirrel) scurrying up a tree. On the other hand, the Common Gray squirrels in the park are harder to spot because their fur blends into the bark of many trees (stock photo). Despite a lack of camouflage, the black squirrel population is growing in the county. One reason is their black fur helps them absorb more heat, a key advantage in colder climates. Also, in modern, urban environments, some researchers theorize they might be more visible and thus less likely to be hit by cars. While walking along the Pine River bank, I pause to observe the lake-like impoundment whose water is significantly polluted due to a combination of agricultural runoff and contamination from local industrial sites. The nearby dam creates a slower-moving, warm body of water that is highly susceptible to nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff. This causes excessive aquatic plant growth and frequent algae blooms, which deplete the water of dissolved oxygen and harm aquatic life. Like other parts of the Pine River, the impoundment shows dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria, making it unsafe for recreational activities like fishing, swimming and even boating.

Coyote of the night

Moon won’t stay

The hunt was hard

Your hunger obey

Picked up a scent

Options to weigh

The kill was quick

Devoured your prey

Found your den

Without delay

Creature of the wild

Another day

 

D. DeGraaf

November 17

The early afternoon sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I begin my hike in Mt. Pleasant’s Chipp-a-waters Park. While looking at and listening to the flowing water of the Chippewa River, my attention is drawn to a Muskrat swimming near shore. Proceeding along a paved pathway, I notice Goldenrod and Burdock are seeding out. Up ahead, I come upon the white seeds of a Clematis vine (Old Man’s Beard). This plant produces small, creamy-white flowers (stock photo) in late summer. After the flowers fade, each developing seed retains a long, feathery appendage that group together in clusters creating the distinctive "beard" appearance on the vine. This common name, along with another, "Traveler’s Joy" (because it lines hedgerows and brings joy to weary travelers), has been in use for centuries. Up ahead, I spot the dark berries of Buckthorn and the red hips of Wild Rose. Looking out at the river, I spot two pair of Mallards feeding and a log covered with what-appears-to-be Oyster mushrooms. Back on land, my attention is drawn to a fresh Beaver gnaw and an abandoned Robin’s nest in a Buckthorn tree. Following the path into a woodland, I stop and face the massive trunk of a huge Cottonwood tree. According to the description on a trail sign, the tree is one of the largest in the state, at 71 inches in diameter and 220 inches in circumference (3 adults, hand-in-hand). Still exploring the woodland, I note the canopy is open except for some lingering oak leaves while the dense leaf litter shows maple and oak. A shrub that still displays green leaves is Winterberry with its bright red fruit. Turning around, I leave the woodland where I observe the highly textured bark of a small River Birch tree. Crossing over the Brandell Bridge, I pause to watch the water of the Chippewa River flow under me. This river originates about 25 miles from here in the village of Barryton. It flows SE through Lake Isabella, as well as some county parks and CWC preserves before reaching this point. Hiking to the entrance of Veits Woods, I pause to notice the cone-shaped red berry clusters of Staghorn Sumac. Turning around and heading back toward the car, my ears perk up to the sound of a Red-bellied Woodpecker (stock photo). Looking up high on a tall, leafless Cottonwood tree, I spot a golf-ball size Twig Gall. Nearby, hanging from a tree are vines of Multiflora rose with their red hips and Virginia Creeper with their purple berries. These berries, that look a lot like edible, Wild Grapes, are toxic to humans and pets, but not birds.

Woods of November

Season of the gun

Whitetail of the wild

You’re on the run

Scent of humans

Flurries of snow

Whitetail of the wild

Time to lie low

Creature of nature

One of the best

Whitetail of the wild

No time to rest

 

D. DeGraaf

November 10

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 50’s under mostly sunny skies and a stiff west wind as I begin hiking at Forest Hill Nature Area. Right away, I notice a few Dark-eyed Juncos flying low among some trees and spot one as it perches briefly on a branch. These “snowbirds” arrive in Michigan in late September to early October, often as one of the first signs of approaching winter. Migrating from their summer breeding grounds in Canada, Michigan serves as their "south" where they overwinter. Heading west through fields of amber-colored Switch Grass, I look up to notice a few green, Sweet Crab apples still hanging on the tree. This native species is found throughout the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  Nearby, I begin exploring what once was the bottom of a marsh called Sora Swale, now dried up due to a long-term drought. First, I come upon a few 1/2 -inch Marsh Ramshorn snail shells as well as a 1-inch Wooly Bear Caterpillar. Folklore suggests that the width of the middle brown band of this caterpillar can predict the severity of the coming winter. However, scientific evidence has debunked this, as the band width is actually influenced by the caterpillar's age, diet, and moisture levels. Still, looking around this dried up marsh, I observe white, snow-like patches that are actually dried fruiting bodies of slime mold. Entering South Woods, I come American Witch Hazel trees in bloom. The flowers are small, fragrant, and bright yellow with four distinctive, crinkly, ribbon-shaped petals. This species is unique among many flowering plants because it blooms from October through December. Near the exit to South Woods, I notice an 8-inch diameter Puffball mushroom. At this early stage, the fungus is white, firm and quite edible. Up ahead, I spot some Thin-walled Maze Polypore fungi growing on a decaying tree trunk. This is a tough, inedible bracket fungus with a maze-like pore surface on its underside that turns pinkish or reddish when bruised. Walking along, I see a few dragonflies fluttering about. However, tracking one that landed on a Basswood leaf, I’m not surprised it’s an Autumn Meadowhawk. As its name suggests, this species is known for being cold-hardy and remains active into November and December. Heading back toward the car, I look up to see an 8-inch diameter Bald-faced hornet nest attached to tree branches. The nest is constructed from a paper-like material the hornets create by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with their saliva. By now the workers and drones have died off, the nest is vacant and will not be reused. 

November winds rise

Air temperatures fall

Leafless shrubs short

Naked Aspens tall

Aster flowers close

Canopy opens wide

Chickadees are seen

Frogs and toads hide

Maple leaves descend

Oak’s cling and hang

Mother Earth in balance

Nature’s Yin and Yang

 

D. DeGraaf

November 3

The early afternoon temperatures are in the mid 50’s under sunny skies and a stiff east breeze as I begin my hike east through the Runway Disc Golf course toward the Pine River. Walking down one of the fairways, I notice the leaf litter consists mostly of large heart-shaped leaves from a Catalpa tree. Looking up, I’m not surprised to see one of the trees displaying several of its foot-long seed pods dangling from its branches.  Up ahead, I come upon a loose flock of small birds, where I spot one of them perching- a Yellow-rumped Warbler displaying its muted fall plumage. These birds are often the first warblers to arrive in Michigan and one of the last to leave in the fall. Their name refers to a bright yellow rump patch that also refers to their nickname, "butterbutt" (stock photo). Nearby, I stoop, pick a Motherwort leaf and take in a pleasing aroma, though not particularly minty. While most sources suggest an unpleasant scent, a few descriptions do note a "peculiar, aromatic or pleasant fragrance”. Finally, I reach an extensive backwater section of the Pine River. While these wetlands are not part of the main river channel, they are an essential part of the riparian ecosystem. Hiking along the bank, I pause to watch the afternoon sunshine reflect off the water surface. Looking around, the bright red fruit of a Japanese Barberry shrub catch my eye. This plant, native to Japan was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant. The berries are edible but extremely tart and bitter. They are more palatable when cooked and used as a flavoring for jams, jellies and teas. Working my way back toward the car, I spot an unusual situation where a Prickly Wild rose shrub with its large red hips (on the left) is growing next to a Multiflora rose shrub with its small red hips (on the right). One difference is that the Prickly rose is native while the Multiflora rose is an invasive non-native.  Both types of hips are edible and rich in vitamin C, though they contain small, hairy seeds that can cause digestive irritation. Along the way, I spot a Pear-leaved Crab Apple tree loaded with fruit. This tree is native to East Asia and northern China. While the apples are edible for humans, they are too tart to eat raw, making them best for use in jams, jellies or cider.  They are also a valuable food source for deer and small mammals, especially in late fall and winter when other food is scarce. Near the car, I pause to watch a tiny Sweat Bee feeding on a Bull Thistle blossom, realizing this maybe my final time witnessing such an event this season as both blossoms and adult insects will soon die off.

Gone from the fields

Luster of gold

Warmth of summer

Turning cold

Gone are redwings

That ruled the marsh

Winds of November

Blow stiff and harsh

Gone is the green

Of leaves and vines

Nature in autumn

Seasonal signs

 

D. DeGraaf

After deciding back in September to track Bush Creek from beginning to end, I remember locating and exploring its source near Harrison Rd. in Gratiot County. From there, I remember following it with my car, watching its water zig-zag slowly north through one of several county drains. Also, I remember stopping and walking along the creek bank from Jackson Rd where I discovered two insects that I never saw before: Carolina Saddlebags Dragonfly and Chickweed Geometer Moth. For my second encounter, I remember hiking a ¼ mile east from Baldwin Rd on railroad tracks to reach the creek where I once again explored the bank and discovered a Banded Garden Spider and a 2-inch Virginia Tiger Moth Caterpillar. The following week, I remember walking along the creek bank, next to Olive Rd. where I spotted a beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly.  For my 4^th encounter, I remember hiking along its bank upstream from the Jefferson Rd bridge and being pleased, for the first time, to see its water flow through a natural landscape instead of a county drainage ditch. The next encounter took place a week later along Baldwin Rd on the northern edge of Gratiot County where I remember glimpsing at a wading Great Blue Heron. Also, from County Line Rd. bridge I remember looking down into the clear, shallow water to spot a school of 2-inch Bluntnose minnows swimming north into Midland County. For my 6^th creek encounter, I remember hiking a 3^rd of a mile through a powerline easement to the creek. Moving along the bank, I remember observing blossoms of Winter Cress near the water’s edge and the yellow leaves of an overhanging Basswood tree. The very next week, I found myself hiking a 2-track toward another creek encounter. Approaching the creek, I remember being startled by a dozen shrieking Wood Ducks. Close to the shore, I recall hearing a Robin chirp while watching the creek’s clear water flow downstream. So today was to be my 8^th and final encounter with Bush creek to watch it finally flow into the Pine River. However, approaching what I thought would be a good access point to witness this convergence, I was turned away by an employee working this land owned and operated by Union Oil. I was told this site has been in operation for at least 20-years to dismantle and clean up old oil wells and storage tanks. Even though the land is identified on maps, there is no public record of its existence or cleanup results. Despite this awkward conclusion to my journey, I’m grateful for my many encounters with nature I had exploring this unique watercourse.

Autumn onward
Forest rids her green
Reds and yellows show
Wafting leaves are seen
Barren is the meadow
Frost ices the ground
Swallows head south
Wooly bears around
Plants cease to grow
Mother Nature’s way
Comes the colder night
Comes the shorter day 

 

D. DeGraaf

October 20

The early morning sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I find myself in Midland County, hiking a 2-track toward another encounter with Bush Creek. Approaching the creek from a high bank, I’m startled by a dozen shrieking Wood Ducks that take off and fly away before I can focus my camera. These ducks (stock photo) generally do not stay in Michigan for the winter, as they migrate south to warmer climates. They will occasionally overwinter during very mild winters and in areas where the water does not freeze. Close to the shore, I hear a Robin chirp while watching the creek’s clear water flow downstream through a very shallow channel. At my feet, I see a dog-like track of a Coyote in the wet sand. On the far bank, I spot clusters of Wild Grapes hanging from an Elm tree. For Cedar Waxwing birds this fruit can be a primary food source during their fall migration.Raccoons, opossums, and foxes like ripe grapes as a preferred food prior to winter because they are high in sugar and calories. Exploring the flood plain, I come upon a patch of Tree Climber Moss. This type of moss is beneficial to trees, providing habitat for small organisms and helping with nutrient cycling. Nearby, I notice leafy vines of Round-leaved Greenbrier. This plant is considered both semi-evergreen and deciduous, meaning the leaves stay green much of the winter before falling. Up ahead, I see the trunk of a small Sycamore tree with its army-camouflage like design and the trunk of a small American Elm with its deeply-furrowed design. Looking around at other Elm tree trunks, I spot one being strangled by an Oriental Bittersweet vine. Introduced from Eastern Asia, this invasive vine can smother and damage native trees and shrubs, leading to ecological harm.  Looking up, I notice some Red Oak leaves changing colors. Upon closer inspection, I see the upper surface of one leaf displaying BB-size, reddish bumps called Oak Leaf Galls, caused by wasp larvae that developed from eggs laid on the leaf. By the time the leaves fall, the wasp larvae inside have matured and exited through tiny holes. By next spring, new galls will form on fresh oak leaves as part of the next cycle. On a nearby tree, I observe clusters of yellowish-white berries on vines of Poison Ivy. These berries are often seen in the fall and persist into the winter, and while they are a food source for birds, they are toxic to humans and should not be touched. Before heading back to the car, I take one more look at Bush Creek as it flows north toward its convergence with the Pine River, a mere ¾ mile away.

Aura of autumn

Before snows come

From sunny glades

Colors and shades

Of scarlet and gold

Trees, young and old

Where frost of fall 

Glazes it all

In crystalline white

Through longer night

Nature’s glow

October show

 

D. DeGraaf

October 13

The midafternoon temperatures are in the low 60’s under cloudy skies and a variable breeze as I begin a 1/3-mile hike through a Midland County power-line easement toward another encounter with Bush Creek. Along the way, I notice this fairly new 200-ft wide DTE easement is lined with some trees whose leaves are changing colors. This place also reminds me how a similar easement through Conservation Park in Alma, Michigan was transformed into a beautiful native prairie (stock photo). Continuing west under the high-voltage wires, I spot patches of Hair-cap and Sphagnum moss as well as blossoms of Spotted Knapweed and Toadflax. Likewise, on the ground I come upon a 4-inch Puffball Mushroom that I open up to notice the interior is not pure white and edible but slightly yellow and inedible. Nearby, I see some odd looking scat containing tiny shell fragments, most likely from a diet of crayfish. With this in mind, I conclude it must be either from a Raccoon or Otter. Arriving at Bush Creek. I stand on the steep bank and watch some colorful Maple leaves float slowly downstream. Moving along the bank, I observe blossoms of Winter Cress near the water’s edge and the yellow leaves of an overhanging Basswood tree. Higher up the bank, I see blossoms of Black-eyed Susans as well as several patches of Deer Tongue Grass. This grass was likely planted here to mitigate erosion and provide vital shelter for ground-nesting birds and insects. Its resilience helps it grow in tough areas, often outcompeting invasive plants.. Exploring the flood plain, I come upon blossoms of Flattop Aster and Woodland Blue Aster. Descending the bank, I pause to look and listen to the creek water flow gently over some rocks. Leaving the watercourse, I notice a few red leaves of Virginia Creeper as well as a Bumble Bee feeding on Goldenrod blossoms. Continuing east, I can’t help but look at bright red fruit hanging from branches of a Winterberry tree. This fruit is not edible for humans, potentially causing stomach ailments and dizziness. On the other hand, the berries are a vital food source in the winter for many species of birds and some small mammals. Nearing the car, I follow an Autumn Meadow Hawk Dragonfly as it flutters above me and comes to rest on a dying fern frond. These dragonflies are some of the last ones to be seen, flying into late fall or even early winter in some areas. They can tolerate colder temperatures than many other species but will eventually die during sustained freezing temperatures.

I welcome these days

Fall season on view

Leaves glow red

Berries shine blue

I welcome the sun

On its slow descent

Geese are gathering

The meadow is spent

I welcome the morning

Cool and clear

Autumn time

Glad you’re here

 

D. DeGraaf

October 6

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s under sunny skies and a refreshing east breeze, as I stand on County Line Rd, watching stalks of Giant Stinging Nettle sway in the breeze as water of Bush Creek flows north. Handling these stalks produces a serious sting due to hairs on the stems and leaves. From here, the creek still has 4 miles to go before merging with the Pine River. Still on the road, I look down into the clear, shallow water to spot a school of 2-inch minnows, likely Bluntnose. This species is one of the most common minnows in Michigan and much of eastern North America. They feed mostly on small insects, algae and plankton. They typically live 3–4 years and reach a maximum size of 4 inches. Hiking upstream, I catch a glimpse of a wading Great Blue Heron, standing still, fishing for minnows, frogs or snakes. Most herons migrate south by the end of October, returning in March. However, some individuals may stay in Michigan throughout the winter if there are areas of open, unfrozen water. Moving ahead, I spook the Heron and can barely see it as it takes off and flies a short distance up stream to another fishing spot. Beside the trail, I spot both white and purple blossoms of Aster. The name Aster means star in reference to the shape of the flower. The purple ‘flower’ of New England Aster is actually made up of an aggregate of about 100-150 individual flowers of two types that form a head. The ‘petals’ are each an individual flower called a ray flower. In the center of the head is the other kind of flower called a disk flower (stock photo). Walking through a dense patch of Goldenrod, my feet step on a dried crunchy layer of leaves that had previously fallen from a huge Cottonwood tree overhead. Along the bank, I’m not surprised to see one of many nut-like galls on a Goldenrod plant. This spherical swelling is caused by the tiny Goldenrod Gall Fly. The female fly lays eggs in the stem, and the larva's secretions trigger the plant to form the gall, creating a protective chamber and food source for the larva over winter. During winter birds such Woodpeckers and Chickadees as peck holes in the galls to reach the larvae inside. In some areas, people collect the galls in early spring to use the larvae as fish bait. In the spring, the larva pupates, transforming into an adult fly inside the gall. It then tunnels out and flies away to start the cycle again. Heading back to the car, I notice the leaves of Staghorn Sumac are turning red. Finally, as the season progresses, I pause as a gust of wind rattles the surrounding leaves that yet cling to the branches before they waft to the earth.

Landscape of autumn

Transformed again

Creature of summer

Retreats to its den

Milkweed pods

Dry up and shred

Silky white seeds

Escape and spread

Goodbye to the goose

Farewell to the crane

October commences

In nature’s domain

 

D. DeGraaf

September 29

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s under sunny skies and a refreshing west breeze as I start hiking along the bank of Bush Creek, upstream from the Jefferson Rd bridge. After following this watercourse through one county drain after another, I’m pleased to see the creek flow naturally through a lush, wooded landscape that provides suitable wildlife habitat. Hiking along a high bank through dense foliage, I’m entertained by Black-cap Chickadee songs. Up ahead, I first spot a Pignut Hickory tree displaying one of its compound leaves that’s changing colors. Looking more closely at the tree, I notice green husks on some branches beginning to split open, while on the ground I find a whole nut. The meat (stock photo) of this nut is usually small, hard to extract, and often bitter — which is why people say it’s more for squirrels and raccoons.. Early settlers and farmers noticed that pigs readily ate the nuts, bitter or not. The nuts were sometimes even gathered and fed to them as a food source, thus the name “pignut”. After catching a quick glimpse of a Raccoon running along the far bank, I pause at a tree trunk, where I spot an unusual growth— a burl shaped like twin scrolls of wood pressed side by side. Such growths often form when a tree has been stressed or injured, Arriving in a sunny area, I notice yellow blossoms of Sow Thistle have attracted a variety of pollinators, including a Bubble Bee and a Honeybee. On another blossoms, I observe a tiny Sweat bee and a Japanese’s Beetle enjoying some nectar. Before turning around, I look skyward as the morning sun shines through a tall Aspen tree whose leaves are swaying in the breeze. On my way back, I observe the bright red fruit of Bittersweet Nightshade. These berries are especially attractive to children and can be toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. All parts of the plant contain toxins that can harm or even kill animals if ingested. However, some birds have adapted to safely consume the ripe berries with no ill effects, spreading the seeds as they travel.  Skunks are also known to be immune to the toxicity of the berries. Near the car, clusters of blue berries from a Juniper tree catch my eye. Dried Juniper berries add a sharp, unique flavor to marinades, meats, soups, and stews, and are a key ingredient in gin. It was not a morning of grand discoveries, but of smaller things, each one marking the season’s change. Bush Creek may flow low and slow, but its world is alive—seen in blossoms, in berries, in leaves and wings. 

Onset of autumn

Behold! Some signs

Debut of the reds

Virginia creeper vines

Shriveling brown fronds 

Drape the Bracken Fern

Blossoms of Aster

Everywhere you turn

Late September air

Chills the early day

Cold bloods retreat

Nature shows the way

 

D. DeGraaf

September 22

The afternoon temperatures are in the upper 70’s with sunny skies and a gentle breeze, as I continue my exploration of Bush Creek. From the E. Olive Rd bridge, I watch the water flow slowly along another drainage ditch through acres and acres of cropland. Driving a short distance east, I begin to hike along the south bank of the creek on a 50 ft wide filter strip while noticing the opposite bank displays no filter strip. A filter strip is a band of permanent herbaceous vegetation between a cropland area and a surface water body to treat runoff. It slows the flow of runoff, causing sediment and pollutants to be filtered out, thereby protecting water quality.  Nearby, I spot a beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly feeding on nectar of Canadian Goldenrod. This is a migratory butterfly that overwinters as an adult in warmer climates and migrates to cooler regions in the spring. Their under wings feature a cryptic, colorful marbled pattern. When the butterfly rests with its wings closed, this pattern provides camouflage, (stock photo) making it appear less visible to predators by mimicking a leaf or tree bark. The Red Admiral caterpillar (stock photo) feeds on Stinging Nettle plants. On another Goldenrod blossom, I watch a Bumble Bee feeding on the nectar. Near the water’s edge, I notice yellow blossoms of Beggar ticks and green leaves of Broadleaf Arrowhead. Turning around and heading back, I pause to see a patch of Pokeweed displaying its fruit.  These berries are poisonous to humans but are a food source for many birds. All parts of the Pokeweed plant are toxic, with the highest amounts of poison in the roots, leaves, and stems. The only edible part is the very young, tender stems and leaves, which are used to make "poke sallet". Traditionally, the leaves are boiled in water, drained, and then boiled again to remove toxins. Afterward, they can be fried with bacon fat, scrambled with eggs, or cooked like spinach. Poke sallet has a long history in Southern Appalachian and rural food traditions, where people made use of what grew wild. The name “sallet” is an old English word for “cooked greens”. Near the car, I spot a 1-inch Short-horned Grasshopper perched on the stem of a Common Milkweed whose leaves have turned yellow. These insects are largely vegetarian, feeding on the foliage of grasses and Forbes. They are a vital food source for various predators, including birds, skunks, snakes, and toads. Finally, at the car, I pause to acknowledge the sun at the Autumnal Equinox and look forward, in gratitude to a new season of fall.

Orb of the sky

Light of the day

Predictable path

Found your way

Summer’s high

To winter’s low

Reached the mid

Then down you go

Seasonal sign

Of nature’s law

Sun of the heavens

Welcome to fall

 

D. DeGraaf

September 15

The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the low 50’s as I hike east on a railroad track to Bush Creek where its water flows under me through acres of crop land. Next to the steep bank, I spot a funnel-shaped web made by an American Grass Spider (stock photo). This arachnid spends most of its time hidden in the web's funnel, emerging and moving rapidly to catch insects that land on the web. Nearby, I notice a patch of Beggarticks with their yellow blossoms. The "beggar" part of the name refers to people who might be walking through fields or areas where the plant grows and then having the seeds cling to their clothes.  The "tick" part of the name comes from the seeds' ability to stick like ticks. The seeds have barbed awns or hooks (stock photo) that grip surfaces, resembling the way a parasitic tick clings to its host. This plant has many common names that describe its seed-dispersal method, including Stick-tights, Pitchfork weed and Bur-marigolds. While examining one of the many orb webs clinging to the vegetation, I observe a 1-inch Banded Garden Spider. Female spiders produce over 1,000 eggs that overwinter in egg sacs attached to vegetation. In the spring, the eggs hatch and young spiderlings disperse by ballooning in wind currents as the life cycle continues. A short distance away, I come upon a 2-inch Virginia Tiger Moth Caterpillar, crawling upside down while clinging to green stem with pairs of prolegs on its abdomen. These prolegs have small, hook-like structures called "crochets" at the tips, which help the caterpillar grip surfaces like leaves and stems. Also known as yellow wooly bears, these caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants eventually emerging as white moths (stock photo). Turning around, I see blossoms of Wild Carrot as well as one that has lost its flowers and folded up into a seed-head. Knowing that these nest-like shapes provide habitat for insect larvae, I open up one of them to reveal a tiny, spotted larva of a Carrot-seed Moth (stock photo) These larvae feed on the flowers and developing seeds of plants in the parsley family, including dill, carrot, parsley, and fennel. Making my way back to the car, I spot a patch of Field Pepper Grass and also catch the glimpse of a bird perched on the railroad track that looks like a Savannah Sparrow, Finally, I reach the car and drive a short distance to M-46, turn right and pause on a road bridge to watch the creek flow downstream toward its confluence with the Pine River, some 8 miles NE of here. Also, I’m reminded that this once natural watercourse has been drastically altered to serve farmers at the expense of water quality and a thriving habitat for local flora and fauna.

Mid of September
Summer’s goodbye
Monarchs leave
Gone, geese that fly
Yellow drapes the fields
From oaks, acorns fall
Fawns continue to grow
Crows continue to caw
Seasons are changing
Maples showing red
Autumn coming soon
Nature moves ahead 

 

D.DeGraaf

September 8

The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the low 60’s as I stand on the edge of Gratiot County’s Harrison Rd to see an overgrown drainage ditch that marks the beginning the Bush Creek. This watercourse (stock photo) flows NNE for about 15 miles before merging with the Pine River in Midland County. For the first few miles, I watch the creek as it makes its way through cropland confined to drainage ditches with limited buffer strips. After it flows under Jackson Rd, I hike along its bank where I spot a large Banded Garden Spider in the middle of its web. When a victim becomes entangled, the spider will wrap it in a thick shroud of dense webbing. Then it will jab its fangs through the exoskeleton of its prey to deliver a venomous brew containing neurotoxins that halts its struggling. Up ahead, I can barely see an adult Raccoon feeding near the water’s edge. Nearby, I spot a perching red dragonfly called a Carolina Saddlebags, an insect that I’ve never seen before. The name comes from the large dark patches on their hind wings that seem to straddle their abdomen like the pack on a horse. Further along, I pause to notice a Chickweed Geometer Moth. This small insect with its wavy wings, I’ve never seen before. The caterpillars (stock photo) are known as "inchworms" and are often found in grassy areas where their host plants, like Chickweed, grow. Moving along the bank, I come upon a small moth called a Soybean Looper, feeding on Yellow Toadflax blossoms. Also called Butter and Eggs, this plant, native to Europe, can form dense patches that out compete native species. The caterpillar of this moth (stock photo), named for its looping movement while in motion, is a significant pest of soybeans crops in the United States though less so in Michigan, consuming large amounts of foliage and occasionally the beans. On the far bank, I observe white blossoms of Queen Anne’s Lace and yellow blossoms of Canadian Goldenrod. Turning around and heading back toward the car, I stir up a couple of yellow butterflies, fluttering from the ground ahead of me. Soon one of them lands on a Dandelion blossom where I can see it’s a Cloudless Sulfur. It won’t be long and these butterflies will begin migrating south to warmer climates. Their caterpillars look different depending on their food source. The ones feeding mostly on leaves are green to yellowish green with a yellow line down their sides, and black dots all over. (stock photo). The ones feeding mostly on flowers are yellow with scattered black dots all over. (stock photo). As with many of the watercourses I’ve hiked over the years, this creek is a living landscape for blossoms, insects, wildlife and people who pass along its banks.

Throughout summer
Green had its way
Grasses and shrubs
Meadow’s display
Splashes of white
Queen Anne’s Lace
Milkweed pink
If only a trace
Along comes yellow
To blanket the sod
Autumn approaches
Behold! Goldenrod

 

D. DeGraaf