July 14

The early morning sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s as I, once again, enter a conservation easement of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy for my annual inspection of this 38 -acre Gratiot County property.  Right away, I spot the head of a Whitetail buck sticking out of tall grasses, displaying his velvet-covered antlers. Most bucks will complete their antler growth in the middle of August. In late August through mid-September, the velvet dries up and they rub it off.  Just ahead, I notice a Milkweed beetle resting on a Milkweed leaf. Like Monarch butterflies, these beetles accumulate cardenolides from Milkweed, making them unpalatable to predators, a defense they advertise with their striking orange and black markings.  Continuing along, I watch a Bumblebee and a small Sweat Bee feed on small yellow blossoms of Common Mullein. Sweat bees are important pollinators for many wildflowers. As their common name suggests, these bees are attracted to the salt found in human perspiration. Off in a distant field, I look at and listen to a breeding pair of Sandhill Cranes. These lovely birds mate for life - which can mean two decades or more - and stay with their mates year-round. Looping back, I find some Hairy Vetch plants with their lovely purple blossoms. This plant is a highly effective nitrogen fixer, extracting nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Pausing at one of several ponds, I first listen to a few Green Frogs and then spot a needle-like Bluet Damselfly perched above the water on blade of grass. Nearby, I see a Cabbage-white Butterfly feeding on Catnip blossoms. This butterfly is a common species whose caterpillars, called cabbageworms (stock photo) are considered a significant pest of crops like cabbage, kale, and broccoli. On my way back to the car, I pass a large patch of Chamomile blossoms. This plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal effects. It is commonly consumed as an herbal tea and is also used in cosmetics and aromatherapy. Nearing the car, I spot a Japanese Beetle resting on a False Sunflower blossom. This native Japanese insect, first discovered in the US in 1916, is a significant pest of landscape trees and shrubs as well as vegetable and fruit crops.  

Beauty of summer

settles over the water

where a cardinal flower

flaunts its scarlet pedals, 

a wood duck drake parades

its coat of many colors.

In the murky depths

beauty awaits its cue.

An unsightly creature

heeds its inner call to

ascend and transform. 

Behold! Dragonfly, 

adorned with translucent

wings and body of 

iridescent green.

 

D. DeGraaf

The early morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s with a refreshing breeze at my back as I hike on a mowed trail toward the rising sun while being entertained by a Song Sparrow. Today, as a volunteer for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, I’m evaluating one of their 38 conservation easements, a 24-acre privately-owned parcel east of Alma. This property was purchased years ago with government funds with the understanding that the landowner would maintain it as wildlife habitat. My job is to determine if there’s compliance and report the results to the Conservancy. Up ahead, I watch a butterfly flutter by and land on the grassy ground. Upon a closer look, I see it’s a 1-inch, Common Wood-Nymph displaying an eyespot on one of its wings. These eyespots are thought to play a role in predator defense, potentially confusing or deterring birds and other predators. Nearby, I spot a resting 1-inch, White Slant-line Moth. Their caterpillars are twig mimics. Their brown, narrow bodies hold on to a branch at one end and stretch away from the branch to hide among the twigs and leaves (stock photo). On another blade of grass, I notice a ½-inch, strange-looking collection of small twigs, containing a Bagworm. In the life cycle of certain moths, the caterpillar spins a cocoon-like bag on which pieces of leaves and other plant parts are attached. The bag acts as a portable shelter and camouflage, shielding the caterpillar from predators and harsh weather conditions. Further along, I come upon a male 12-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly. Both male and female have 12 dark brown wing spots while the male has 8 additional white wing spots. Looking around, I spot a Widow Skimmer Dragonfly. This dragonfly got the “widow” name because, unlike most other dragonfly species where the male stays near the female after she lays her eggs, the male in this pair leaves her after the eggs have been laid.  As with other dragonflies, eggs are laid in ponds where they hatch. The nymphs (stock photo) live in the water, molting and growing until they are ready to emerge from the water.  Coming upon one-of-many Cottonwood trees, I spot a leaf displaying an abnormal, swollen growth called a Petiole Gall. In the spring, aphids hatch from eggs laid on the Cottonwood tree and begin feeding on the petioles of newly emerging leaves. This feeding stimulates the plant to produce a growth around the aphids. Theses galls provide a safe environment for the aphids to grow and reproduce. While the galls may be noticeable, they generally do not harm to the tree. 

Nature in rhythm

July days ahead

Summer sky blue

Raspberries red

Creatures are born

Consume and grow

Vultures fly high

Frogs lie low

Pond water wanes

Below the brim

Neath the surface

Mudminnows swim

 

D. DeGraaf

June 30

The early morning temperatures are in the mid 60’s under overcast skies and light rain as I enjoy the song of a Tufted Titmouse before entering Lake Steven Preserve, a 1-acre plot operated by the Chippewa Nature Conservancy. This is one of 27 such preserves (stock photo) that permanently protect over 750 acres of Mid-Michigan wild lands. These properties are open to the public for educational and recreational purposes. They attempt to maintain high levels of water and air quality, forest health and wildlife habitat that promotes biodiversity. From the road, I scan the west boundary where I enjoy a variety of birdsongs but am concerned about the extensive spreading of invasive Autumn Olive trees compared to my visit, a year ago. Exploring the open field next to the road, I spot white blossoms of Daisy Fleabane as well as tiny pink, snap-dragon-like flowers of Wild Basil.  Belonging to the mint family, Basil leaves are edible and have a mild basil flavor, though they can become more bitter after flowering. Still in the field, I come upon a resting, ¼ inch Cluster fly. These flies often enter homes in the fall to escape the cold weather. Also, I spot a ½ inch, Small White Wave Moth. The moth’s ½ inch larva (stock photo) feeds on Birch, Alder and Willow leaves. Nearby, I spot seed-heads of Fox Sedge and Wool grass. Making my way through a woodland of densely growing Birch, Ash, Maple and Oak trees, I spot some Raccoon scat as well as a Birch tree displaying layers of its papery bark. Next, I pause to pick and savor the rare fruit of Wild Strawberry. Despite producing plenty of leaves and blossoms, these plants produce very few berries. Finally, I make it to the shore of Lake Steven, which is not the edge of the lake proper, but the edge of an outflow channel. On a small island afar, I observe an Elderberry bush with its white blossoms. Lake Steven (stock photo) is considered a “dying” lake as it continues to fill with sediment, organic matter, and the remains of plants and animals, gradually reducing its size and depth, eventually transforming it into a marsh, bog, or swamp. Turning around and making my way back toward the car, I spot a few floating water lilies in bloom as well as a stand of narrow-leaf cattails. The male cattail flowers, located at the top of the flowering stalk, released pollen that was dispersed by the wind. The female flowers, below the male flowers, were then pollinated when the wind carried the pollen to them. Soon the male flowers will wither and fall while the sausage-shaped mass of female flowers remain throughout the summer.

Summer commences

Out in the wild

Wetlands awake for

A wide-eyed child

Duck weedy shore

A Leopard frog

A basking turtle

Lies on a log

Above the bank

A Dragonfly

Swooping Swallows

Fill the sky

 

D. DeGraaf

June 23

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 60’s under mostly cloudy skies as Caroline, friend Brenda and dog, Riley join me on a hike along Gull Harbor, on the far northeast tip of Beaver Island. The extra wide rocky beach and acres of dried-up wetlands here are a result of a dramatic drop of 10 inches in the water level of Lake Michigan in the past year. Even more dramatic is a drop in lake level of 40 inches since 2020. Offshore, I spot a breeding pair of Common Mergansers standing on a rock while overhead, a pair of Herring Gulls call out. Scattered among the beach rocks are thousands of small Zebra Mussel shells. Introduced in the 1980s, likely through ballast water from cargo ships, these invasive mollusks have significantly impacted the lake's ecosystem by filtering out large amounts of plankton, affecting food chains and water clarity. Scientists are testing new removal methods near Sleeping Bear Dunes and Muskegon. One method is to anchor large tarps (stock photo) to the lake bottom over infested areas, killing the mussels by preventing oxygen and food from reaching them. Another method is to drag a heavy, plow-like device, called a “mussel masher” (stock photo) through mussel beds, detaching and crushing them. Still exploring the rocky beach, I notice small, yellow blossoms of Silverweed vine and bristly seed-heads of Bottle Brush Sedge. Above my head are swarms of ¼-inch Snipe Flies (stock photo) that have recently hatched from larvae. While pesky, they rarely land on or bite humans. After mating, females deposit eggs on overlying vegetation. After hatching, larvae fall into the water where they develop into flying adults. Both adults and larvae are predatory, feeding on small insects and other invertebrates. Working my way through a dried-up pond, I spot a Northern Water Snake coiled up on the ground. Soon this reptile, common on Beaver Island, slithers away from me so I see its about 4 ft long. These snakes are opportunistic predators, feeding on fish, frogs and crayfish. While they can bite, they are not venomous and not considered dangerous to humans. Since areas like this are often used as nesting sites for Killdeer, I’m not surprised to hear some of them warning me to keep my distance. Looping back, I see a few white blossoms of Ox-eye daisies and lovely red-orange leaves of Indian Paintbrush. The plant’s name comes from its visual similarity to a paintbrush used by Native Americans. Nearing the car, I come upon a dirt mound called a cray-fish chimney created by a burrowing crayfish.  

Wandering tracks

Goose and gull

Shells of a clam

Bones of a skull

Sizes and shapes

Beach of stones

Iron and quartz

Colors and tones

Painting the shore

The artist’s hand

Image of summer

Canvas of sand

 

D. DeGraaf

June 16

The early morning temperatures are in the mid 50’s under clear skies and a mild east wind as I begin my hike at Camp Cutler, a 160-acre scout camp, located about 3 miles northeast of Vestaburg in Montcalm County. In 1960 the Cutler family donated 120 acres of this land to the St. Louis Boys Club in memory of their son Ted.  Including woods, fields, streams, wetlands, and two small lakes, the camp was expanded in 1975 when Gertrude Leppien gave an adjoining 40 acres in memory of her husband. Starting out, I spot a few plants at my feet displaying a white, froth produced by the ¼-inch nymph of a Meadow Spittle Bug (stock photo). The foam acts as a barrier against predators, helps regulate the nymph's body temperature and prevents drying out. Adult spittlebugs (stock photo) are 1/4 inch long but are not usually seen. They are also called froghoppers, having enlarged hind legs for jumping. Following the trail, I pause on a bridge to observe the slow flowing water of the North Branch of the Pine River. Originating about 3 miles NW of here at the convergence of Cedar Drain and Thatcher Creek, the river will continue another 3 miles SE where it flows into the main branch of the Pine River near Lumberjack Park. Making my way down to the river’s edge lined with reeds and Skunk Cabbage, I spot the spiky yellow blossoms of Tufted Loosestrife. Back on the trail, I notice several white blossoms of Multiflora Rose. Continuing through a shady forest of mature Oak and Beech trees, I’m alert to the song of a seldom seen Ovenbird (stock photo). Up ahead, I come upon a resting Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly. Based on its somewhat translucent wings with irregular margins, I suspect this is a young adult who recently emerged from its nymph stage. Entering a large clearing, I notice several spider webs attached to low-growing vegetation. These patterns of crisscrossing silk, called cobwebs, are often seen in corners and ceiling in houses. Made by tiny Triangulate cobweb spiders (stock photo), these webs trap ants and other ground dwelling insects using elastic, sticky trap lines leading to the soil surface. These webs remain in place for extended periods and are expanded and repaired, but no regular pattern of web replacement has been observed. Turning around, I walk through an open meadow, while listening to the song of a Field Sparrow (stock photo). Finally, following a stream bank back toward the car, where I hear a few croaking Green Frogs and look skyward to watch the leaves of an Aspen tree “tremble” in the wind. 

Signs of spring abound

Mother Nature thrives

Frog sits and watches

Grebe swims and dives

Nests rid the chicks

Forest fills with green

Warbler on a branch

Heard, but seldom seen

Another new season 

Summer coming soon

May, a distant memory

Mid-month of June

D. DeGraaf

June 9

The midday temperatures are in the upper 60’s under mostly sunny skies, as I begin my hike in Alma’s Conservation Park at the recently-opened Trail of Trees that identifies and describes 20 species of trees. Approaching tree # 1, Northern White Cedar, I look among the scale-like leaves and spot some unripe female seed cones that were recently fertilized by pollen from inconspicuous male cones (stock photo) on the same tree. These female cones will ripen by mid-August when they will burst open and disperse their seeds. Making my way to tree # 6, Northern Red Oak, I scan the foliage and see an olive-size growth called an Apple Gall, due to the activity of a small Wasp (stock photo). Female wasps inject chemicals and eggs into the leaf buds, triggering the plant to develop this circular structure. This gall provides nutrients and protection for the developing wasp larvae. Apple galls are initially green and spongy but become brown and papery after the adult wasp emerges. Generally, they do not harm the tree. Coming upon tree # 9, a Black Locust, I pick one of the beautiful white blossoms and enjoy its lovely vanilla-like or jasmine-like aroma. These very popular, edible flowers can be eaten raw, cooked, or used in various recipes. They are described as having a sweet, slightly floral taste, with some likening them to sugar snap peas. Beyond eating them raw, they can be incorporated into crepes, salads, deep-fried, or used to make syrup or jelly. While the flowers are edible, the rest of the tree, including the leaves, bark, and seeds, are poisonous. Further along, I notice several green Sugar Maple leaves scattered on the ground due an insect called a Maple Petiole Borer. Adult Sawflies (stock photo) lay eggs in the stems of these Maple leaves in the spring. After larvae hatch, they tunnel (stock photo) into leaf petioles and feed there for 3-4 weeks. This tunneling causes leaves to fall, often very suddenly.  While leaf drop is quite evident, it generally does not impact the long-term health of the tree. Arriving at tree #19, American Beech, I observe a Carpenter Ant scurrying over the smooth, gray bark. This ½ -inch adult, known as a “worker” ant, is wingless. These ants tunnel into wood to create nests, not to eat the wood itself. They excavate wood fibers, which they then discard as sawdust-like shavings. Instead of eating wood, they feed on insects, sweets (like honey and syrup), and other protein sources. Next to the Beech tree, I spot a 5-inch diameter orangish-colored Bolete mushroom commonly known as Porcini or Penny Bun. These are highly prized edible mushrooms. 

 

Lifeblood of earth

Is what you bring

Your current calls

Your waters sing

Spring treasures

A garter snake

A school of fish

A Mallard drake

Vistas of beauty

Your banks bestow

Pine River

Longing to know

D. DeGraaf 

June 2

With the morning temperatures in the low 50’s under mostly sunny skies and a gentle NE breeze, I begin my hike in the Maple River State Game Area, west of US 127, listening to a chorus of birds. Glancing at the water surface, I see several splashes, swirls and dorsal fins made by breeding Carp fish. Females and males gather together in shallow water where several males may spawn with a single female. They will swim actively stirring up the water as they chase or push other fish out of their territory. Up ahead, I observe one of several white Great Egrets perching and flying. These graceful birds have returned from their wintering grounds in the southern US and Central America and will be searching for nesting sites. They primarily nest in the southern part of the state, with small colonies found on islands near Saginaw Bay and farther south in Lake Huron. Not all young that hatch survive the nestling period. Aggression among nestlings is common and large chicks frequently kill their smaller siblings. This behavior, known as siblicide, is not uncommon among birds such as hawks, owls, and herons. Looking south, I spot a large green patch of what appears to be Water Lilies. Upon closer inspection, I see they are American Lotus. Soon this native plant will produce beautiful, yellow-white blossoms. (stock photo) The American lotus is the official floral emblem of Michigan, and its presence is seen as a symbol of the state's commitment to clean water. Far in the distance, I can barely make out the silhouettes of a few Cormorants perching in a leafless tree. Moving along the shoreline, I notice a low-flying Egret while hearing the call of the Coot-like, Common Gallinule (stock photo). Near shore, I spot floating mats of Green Pond Algae and a swimming Muskrat. Turning around to retrace my steps, I pause to look closely at the lush vegetation, where I spot one of many 1-inch, sewing-pin size Blue-tailed Damselflies that just emerged from its Nymph stage (stock photo). Nymphs can stay in the water for two months to three years, depending on environmental conditions. Adults typically live for only a few weeks, though some may live for a month or two. In the distance, I spot 2 perching/hunting Great Blue Herons and 1 perching/hunting Great Egret noting the difference in their coloration. Competition for food and nesting sites can occur, especially during peak breeding seasons. Egrets are known to be more mobile than Blue Herons, potentially leading to less localized competition. Heading back toward the car, I come upon catkins of a Sandbar Willow and blossoms of Bird’s-foot Trefoil. Near the car, my ears are alert to the distinctive  song of a Great-Crested Flycatcher (stock photo)

Blossoms unfold

Long before noon 

A leafy perch

Catbird's tune 

High in a maple 

Sleeping Raccoon 

Spring is fading 

Summer is soon 

Nature's displays

Beginning of June

 

D. DeGraaf

May 26

The early afternoon weather has temperatures in the low 50’s, cloudy skies and a steady north wind as John Clark, a longtime friend and mentor, and I begin exploring Ithaca Schools’ Outdoor Education Area. While teaching science for 30-some years in Ithaca, John played a vital role in acquiring and developing this property for district students to visit and learn about the natural world. Shortly after entering a woodland of mature Beech and Maple trees, we come upon a familiar wood-decaying fungus called Chicken-of-the-Woods. This edible mushroom can be fried, sautéed, grilled, or baked. It's often compared to the taste and texture of chicken. We then follow a sign to a small pond named in honor of John. Continuing to explore the area, we spot a resting Chipmunk, some Morning Star Sedge and a Sensitive Fern. Up ahead, we observe white blossoms of Silky Dogwood and Maple-leaf Viburnum. On the ground, we spot a 3-inch female flower that fell from a nearby Quaking Aspen tree. These flowers appear as dangling clusters called catkins (stock photo) before the leaves appear. Up ahead, we come upon the base of an invasive Oriental Bittersweet vine. We then observe one of its vines as it tightly wraps itself around the limb of nearby tree. This often girdles and kills these younger trees as the hard woody vine constricts the trunk.  The vine will climb anything it can wrap itself around, and it grows very quickly. This makes smaller understory tree species, and shrubs particularly vulnerable to these vines.  They continue to climb in search of the canopy while they increase in diameter and put out more leaves, shading out the leaves of the host tree. A single vine can grow as thick as an adult person’s forearm. Further ahead, we spot the rough-looking trunks of a couple of Shagbark Hickory trees. Looking up, we notice some newly forming leaves from one of the trees displaying tiny, multi-colored growths called Hickory Midge Galls. These galls are caused by the feeding and development activities of midge larvae (stock photo). Although infested leaves have abnormal growth and less photosynthetic capabilities, the tree itself is rarely harmed. Heading toward the car, we come upon a decaying log displaying brown-rot. A selective degradation by a certain species of fungi results in a reddish-brown, crumbly appearance of the affected wood. Near the car, we notice a Motherwort plant with its star-shaped leaves. This summer it will produce a stalk of delicate flowers (stock photo).

 

From a verdant meadow

From the forest ground

From trees on high

Jewels are found

Some bright yellow

Others white and blue

Some mostly red

Others, a purple hue

Colorful displays

To earth they cling

Nature’s gems

Blossoms of spring

 

D. DeGraaf 

May 19

The sky is cloudy with temperatures in the mid 60’s, as Caroline, Riley and I start our midmorning nature hike at Lumberjack Park, near the village of Riverdale. Right away, I come upon a wildflower that I’ve never seen before. Called Grape Hyacinths, these plants are native to southeastern Europe and Turkey. However because of their popularity as garden plants and their ability to naturalize, they are now found here in the USA and many other parts of the world. The flowers and buds are edible for humans, but not the bulbs. The flowers can be infused in beverages or used to add a grape-like flavor to dishes. Exploring the ground, I notice the unique leaf shape of a Bloodroot plant. As the name implies, the roots of these plants contain a blood-red juice (stock photo). Native Americans used this juice as a valuable dye for coloring baskets, clothing, and war paint. Heading north on a boardwalk, we cross a shallow wetland lined with Skunk Cabbage and Pennsylvania Sedge. Turning east, we walk on the edge of Mud Creek where I spot some blossoms of Wild Strawberry that rarely bear fruit because of difficulties in pollination. Turning north, we follow a path lined with towering Red and While Pine trees whose dead needles cover the ground. Making it to a high bank of the Pine River, we rest on a bench to take in the scenic riparian landscape. Continuing west through a corridor of leafing-out trees, we are serenaded by a noisy Blue Jay. Up ahead, I come upon a colony of May apple plants, some displaying their lovely white  blossoms. After pollination, the fruit, a green “apple” develops and ripens to a golden yellow. (stock photo). When ripe, the walnut-size fruit is edible with a distinctive flavor described as a combination of pineapple, Starburst candy, and passion fruit, with a hint of citrus and berry. However, it is rarely found before it is most often consumed by wildlife like deer, raccoons, squirrels, and turtles. Crossing a road bridge, we look at and listen to the river as its water funnels through some smooth rocks. Heading south into the campground, I notice beautiful blossoms of Trillium and Wild Geranium. Off the trail, I come to a silken nest in the crotch of a young Cherry tree where 1-inch Eastern Tent Caterpillars are crawling around. Having hatched in early spring, they are now feeding on the foliage of the host tree. When they mature in early summer, they will crawl to the ground away from the tent to find a protected place to spin a cocoon and pupate. Adult moths (stock photo) emerge in late June and July. 

Stately bird of prey

Early morning search

Still as a statue

High on a perch

Scanning a meadow 

Clover of white

Field mouse scampers

In the raptor’s sight

Swoops fast, kills quick

Mother Nature’s way

Red-tailed Hawk 

Lives another day

 

D. DeGraaf

May 12

The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the upper 50’s as I hike on the bank of the Bad River, off Dempsey Rd, 3 miles due west of the town St. Charles in Saginaw County. Soon my ears perk up to the attractive song of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak ,coming from a nearby tall leafless tree.. This robin-like song has inspired many a bird watcher to pay tribute to it. A couple of early twentieth-century naturalists said it is “so entrancingly beautiful that words cannot describe it.” Following the sound, I’m pleased to see a multi-colored male Grosbeak perched high in the tree. Further ahead, I spot a Staghorn Sumac displaying its reddish fruit clusters. Although the fruit ripened last fall, the seeds can still be used whole, dried, or ground into a powder for various culinary applications. Next, I pause to take in the gently flowing river while listening to a chorus of birds. From the bank, I watch a Muskrat swim by with some aquatic vegetation in its mouth. My guess is it’s food for babies born a few weeks ago that are being weened from their mother’s milk. Adult Muskrats are primarily herbivores, feeding mostly on cattails, sedges, and water lilies. They may also eat some animal matter, including mussels, crayfish, and frogs.Continuing along the bank, I observe an Autumn Olive bush beginning to flower. Glancing skyward, I notice the red flower buds and white flowers of Crabapple. Near the river’s edge, I spot a spider web. Whenever, I see these ornate patterns of silken threads, I’m amazed that it likely will be dismantled and rebuilt by tomarrow. Rebuilding a new web is more efficient than repairing a damaged one, and it allows the spider to have a fresh, functional web each night. These orb weavers digest the silk from their old webs, allowing them to recycle the proteins and rebuild their webs without wasting resources. Exploring the muddy flood plain, I notice yellow blossoms of Wild Mustard and Buttercup as well as a pile of fresh Raccoon scat. This sight reminds me of a funny jingle I recited years ago with school kids during field trips at Forest Hill Nature Area.“Starts with an S, ends with a T, comes out of you, comes out of me. I know what you’re thinking. It’s not that. Let’s be scientific, call it SCAT.” Turning back toward the car, I hear the lovely song of a male Baltimore Oriole along with the disturbing sound of a chainsaw. In a nearby tree, I get a brief look at the colorful source.  These birds got their name from their bold orange-and-black plumage, the same colors as the heraldic crest of England’s Baltimore family (who also gave their name to Maryland’s largest city).

Perching squirrel

Chitter, Chatter

Chipmunk runs

Pitter, patter

Wood duck pair

Flies and squeaks

River rapids

Babbling creeks

Frogs and toads

Start to sing

Natures choir

Songs of spring

 

D. DeGraaf

May 5

For my 11^th encounter with the North Branch of the Bad River, I’m 7 miles west of Saginaw County’s village of St Charles, watching its water flow quietly through a greening landscape. The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the low 70’s and a stiff west wind as I take in the sights and sounds along the bank. At my feet, I see patches of Ground Ivy with their tiny purple, tubular blossoms. Also known as Creeping Charlie, this perennial plant is native to Eurasia but has become naturalized in North America. Its leaves and stems release a strong, minty odor when crushed. They also have a slightly bitter flavor and can be used in soups, salads, or as a flavoring in dishes. Their blossoms provide nectar for pollinators, particularly bees, during the early spring when few other plants are in bloom. Ground Ivy can be toxic to some livestock, especially horses, if consumed in large quantities. Exploring the river’s edge, I first spot some Raccoon tracks in the mud when suddenly a noisy Belted Kingfisher flies in front of me. This amazing bird (stock photo) nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving into the river to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. Further along the shore, I barely see a perching Song Sparrow and then pause to hear a Robin while watching flowers on a female Box Elder tree sway in the breeze. Female trees are the only ones to produce clusters of winged seeds later in the year. Back on the flood plain, I spot blossoms of Sweet White and Woodland Violets as well as a young edible Pheasant Back mushroom growing in the crevasse of a tree trunk. Nearby, I come upon one of many fertile stems of Field Horsetail.  This plant is part of one of the most primitive living plant families in the world. Dating back to the Carboniferous Period (354–290 million years ago), the ancestors of horsetail were tree-size and dominated the landscape, ultimately transforming into coal deposits found today. A perennial relative of ferns, it has many common names including scouring rush, meadow-pine and snake-grass. Later in the season the stem will become sterile and look like miniature pine trees (stock photo). After taking one last look at the scenic river as the morning sun reflects off the water, I proceed toward the car, where I observe branches of an Austrian Pine tree displaying 5-inch, stiff needles,  female flowers, new male pollen cones and old female seed cones.

Stage is set

Opening scene 

Curtain rises

Trees hint green

Nature takes her place

Moving through spring

Her violets bloom

Amphibians sing

Back from the south

Right on cue

Swooping the river

Swallows of blue

 

D. DeGraaf

April 28

After a 25-mile, southeasterly drive from my home in Alma, I stand on the Merrill Rd bridge watching the water of the Bad River flow under me. The early morning sky is clear with temperatures in the mid 40’s as I descend to the flood plain and hike on a groomed trail along the riverbank, listening to a chorus of birds. Soon, I come upon a noisy Canada Goose swimming alone on a small pond. It is most likely a male guarding a nearby nest, warning me and other intruders to stay away. While the female is incubating, the male's primary role is to protect her and the nest from predators and other potential threats. Beside a loud honking sound, he may use displays like lowering his head, hissing, and pumping his head up and down. Up ahead on the wet ground, I spot dainty blossoms of Purple Cress, my first ephemeral wildflower of the season. Ephemerals are short-lived plants that bloom briefly in spring before trees leaf out, taking advantage of sunlight before quickly going dormant. Still focusing on the ground, I notice a patch of tiny green leaves of Woodland Stonecrop. It wouldn’t be long before this plant blooms (stock photo). Along the way, I first pass by dead vines connecting some decomposing, walnut-size seed pods of Wild Cucumber and then pause to observe some Multi-flora Rose branches displaying symptoms of Rose Rosette disease including reddish clusters of distorted leaves. Continuing to follow the riverbank, I recognize mottled trunks of Sycamore trees, drooping seed-heads of Foxtail grass and red flowers of a Red Maple tree. Turning around and heading back to the car, I look up and listen as a small flock of Sandhill Cranes fly overhead. Returning from their wintering grounds in Florida and Texas, many of these large wading birds (stock photo) will stop and breed among the vast wetlands here in Michigan. About one-third of the population will continue north to breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. The estimated summer population of Sandhill Cranes in Michigan is around 23,000. This is a significant increase from the 1940s when only 27 pairs were found in the Lower Peninsula. These birds produce a variety of calls that range from a piercing rattle that can be heard two miles away to low purrs that only carry a few yards. Rattle calls can be sung in unison by several members creating a cacophony of noise. By contrast, the quiet purrs are often heard just before they take-off, while they’re feeding, or as a sign of aggression. Nearing the bridge where my car is parked, I enjoy a Robin solo before heading home.

April nears the finish 

New season grabs hold

From the river’s edge

Blossoms of Marigold

Chipmunks scamper

On the forest floor

Looking for a carcass

Turkey Vultures soar

From a vernal pond

Peeper frogs sing

Nature comes alive

Glad tidings of spring

 

D. DeGraaf

April 21

The late morning temperatures are in the low 50’s, under partly sunny skies as I hike the bank of the Pine River on the north boundary of Alma’s Conservation Park, listening to the songs of a nearby Northern Cardinal and a male Redwing Blackbird (no females yet to be seen). With the sun at my back, I move from a paved to an earthen trail, looking in vain for any green growth of spring.  Up ahead, I observe a couple of Painted Turtles on a log basking in the sun. Their mating season lasts from April to June. The male courts the female in a ritual involving stroking her head with the back of the long claws on his front feet. The female in turn strokes his front legs with her claws. After mating, the female digs a nest in soil a few feet from the edge of the water. Turning left, I follow a trail along the park’s west boundary listening to another Northern Cardinal. Up ahead, I watch a Pileated Woodpecker fly silently overhead and perch in a distant tree. After passing a large Shagbark Hickory tree, I’m relieved to finally see some green as new leaves begin to emerge on a Honeysuckle shrub. Turning left again, I move past one of many vernal ponds along the park’s south boundary where Chorus frogs are calling loud and clear. The sound of this tiny amphibian (stock photo) is not a simple croak, but more of a fine-toothed comb being stroked or a nail scraping across a comb. Up ahead, in the distance, I get a brief glance at a group of Wood ducks, including a very colorful male. After coming upon a standing Whitetail deer camouflaged against a green-less, wooded background, I turn left again to follow the park’s eastern boundary where I pause to observe the midden of a Red Squirrel. Middens are large piles of food scraps, including pinecones around the base of an evergreen tree. Unlike Fox Squirrels that store food underground in the winter, Red Squirrels gather and store food sources in these central locations. Continuing on an earthen trail among many dead and dying evergreen trees, I spot an 8-inch, juvenile Garter Snake, motionless among the leaf litter.  Up ahead, I pass through a grove of mature Red Pine Trees while being greeted by a Blue Jay. Heading back to the car, I’m not surprised to see a few small, male Boxelder trees beginning to flower. Since these trees are dioecious, female Boxelder trees produce a different looking flower (stock photo).

Remembering Earth Day (April 22)

 

Mother Earth, child of the sun

You are a very special one

Water to drink, air to breathe

Life abounds on land and sea

Some worlds are far too cold

Living things cannot take hold

Some worlds are way too hot

Uninhabitable at every spot

Mother Earth, dwelling place

Rightful region in outer space

Sphere of white, sphere of blue

We dedicate this day to you

 

D. DeGraaf

April 14

Temperatures are below freezing under mostly clear skies as I stand on County Line Rd bridge and watch the Bad River flow from the green-less landscape of eastern Gratiot County into western Saginaw County. Exploring the floodplain, I spot several large spore stalks of native Ostrich ferns. Characterized by their tall, lacy fronds and upright, spreading growth habit, I imagine the area will be lush with these plants this summer (stock photo). Approaching the river’s edge, I notice the mottled bark on the trunk of a Sycamore tree next to the trunk of an oak.  Sycamore wood is used for crafting furniture, flooring, and interior trim due to its fine grain and workability. It is also utilized in making butcher blocks, barrels, boxes and crates. This wood is used in the production of pulpwood, particleboard, and fiberboard. Its fine grain makes it suitable for musical instruments like violin backs and even guitar bodies. Looking up, my attention is drawn to a mix of calls of a Northern Cardinal and Bluejay. Blue Jays make a large variety of calls, including the most often heard loud jeer. Occasionally, they mimic hawks, especially Red-shouldered Hawks. After a friendly reminder from a landowner that I’m trespassing, I return to the car, head east into Saginaw County and park alongside of Fenmore Rd., to watch the river flow below a high ridge. Referred to as a moraine ridge, this prominent landform was created by the advance and retreat of glaciers during the Ice Age. Further along the bank, I notice a drain tile coming from pastureland across the road. Often when I come upon these metal tubes, it begs some questions. What is the quality of the water flowing out? Is it tainted with coliform bacteria from animal manure? What is the impact downstream? Are there any restrictions on how many tiles can drain into the river? Descending the steep bank to the river’s edge, I look at and listen to the water as it flows rapidly downstream. Along the floodplain, I explore the muddy ground, where I spot a green shoot of Wild Blue Iris and imagine its blossoms appearing in May (stock photo). Making my way along the river’s edge, I stoop down to observe tiny green leaves of Purple Cress and Early Saxifrage. These ephemeral or quasi-ephemeral plants will grow, bloom (stock photo) (stock photo), and die back quickly, before the surrounding trees fully leaf out, taking advantage of the early spring sunlight. As I take one last look at this watercourse, I think back to how far I’ve come from the start and how far I’ve yet to go to reach the end. 

Mid of April

Into the wild

Life and death

Are reconciled

Flesh and bone

Creature gives

Blood and fur

Predator lives

Off the path

Muddy field

Carcass aside

Sprouts revealed

 

D. DeGraaf

April 7

Freezing temperatures and sunny skies join me as I stand on the Mason Rd. bridge to watch the murky waters of the Bad River flow eastward under me. Recent rain combined with less- than-adequate buffer strips upstream to minimize cropland runoff, cause excess sedimentation resulting in murky water. Descending into the flood plain, I take in the early-morning sights and sounds of this free-flowing river and think back to what I saw upstream earlier this year where this watercourse was confined to a man-made drainage ditch. Crossing the road and continuing to explore the flood plain, I notice the leaf litter is dominated by Swamp White Oak leaves. Nearby, I spot clusters of maple flower buds that fell among maple leaf litter. Pausing by the edge of a puddle, I admire one of several artistic designs created by frozen ice crystals. Looking up, I listen to the dueling songs of a Tufted Titmouse and Eastern Phoebe. Looking down, I see a decaying stump displaying a patch of blue-green Dust Lichen and a decaying log displaying lush moss with needle-like stalks called sporophytes. Each sporophyte is topped with a capsule where spores are produced, released and grow new leafy mats. Working my way west along the river, I look up to the top of a leafless oak tree where large dark growths surround some of the branches. Called Gouty Oak Galls, these woody masses are caused by tiny wasps which first lays eggs in the twigs. The eggs become larvae that secrete chemicals that interfere with normal plant cell growth, resulting in the formation of galls. While causing some branch dieback, they are unlikely to kill the tree. Still looking up, I recognize an old Baltimore Oriole nest hanging among the flowers of a Silver Maple tree. Circling back to the flood plain, I pause to hear a distant Pileated Woodpecker and a nearby, Winter Wren. The wren is brown with dark barring on the wings, tail, and belly (stock photo). This tiny, never-seen, reclusive bird hops and scampers among fallen logs searching for upturned roots and vegetation for insects. After observing the blue sky beyond the wide-open, leafless canopy, I move back across the road to the river’s edge where I come upon a 3-inch diameter, woody Riverbank Grape vine. These vines that can reach a length of 75 feet and a diameter of 8 inches. Moving toward the car, I spot green shoots of Wild Daffodils sprouting from the leaf litter. It wouldn’t be long before this plant displays its yellow trumpet flowers surrounded by yellow petals (stock photo). 

Life in the wild

From the oak above

In the morning mist

A cooing dove

From a flowering  maple

A cardinal sings

On the earth below

A blossom clings

Nature surrounds

She wakes once more

Dressed for spring

Canopy to floor

 

D. DeGraaf

March 31

The early morning sky at Forest Hill Nature Area is sunny with temperatures hovering around freezing, as I begin hiking through a field of tall Switch Grass while listening to noisy Canada Geese. After watching a pair of Mallards fly over as the hen calls out, I come to the edge of one of the wetlands to see some much-needed water has returned after last year’s drought.  Soon, I come upon a dying White Birch tree whose trunk shows a fungal growth called a Birch Conk. This fungus was carried by "Ötzi the Iceman" and may have been used as a laxative to expel whipworm. Ötzi the Iceman, a naturally mummified man from the Copper Age, was discovered in the Alps in 1991, and his well-preserved remains offer insights into the lives and deaths of people from 5,300 years ago. Making my way to another wetland, I pause to hear the call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker along with the drumming sound of another woodpecker. Up ahead, the song of an American Robin catches my attention before I spot it high in an Ash tree. Moving past another wetland, I look up to see and hear only male Redwing Blackbirds and realize that females have not yet returned to begin breeding and nesting. Up ahead, I spot willow branches displaying white, fuzzy nubs. Because these nubs resemble furry, cat paws, the trees are called pussy willows. These nubs are actually flowers just before they fully bloom. The soft fuzzy coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect them from cold temperatures. Even in full bloom, willow flowers hardly look like flowers at all (stock photo). Such flowers are called catkins, also named for cats, in this case for their tails (from the old Dutch word for kitten(katteken). Hiking over to a large pond, I gaze out on the water and can barely make out a mating pair of Common Mergansers, as the male shows off his white breast. They most likely are stopping to rest and feed before proceeding north to their breeding grounds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. The word “merganser” comes from the Latin and roughly translates to “plunging goose”—a good name for this very large diving duck. Circling the pond, I look up at leafless branches of a Green Ash tree displaying brown galls of the male flowers. Microscopic mites (stock photo) feed and lay eggs on bud scales resulting in disfigurement of the flowers and formation of galls. Near the car, I look high overhead to observe a Red Maple tree with hanging clusters of bright red flower buds ready to bloom. Most of these trees are either male or female displaying only male or female flowers. In this case, the flowers are female.

March makes its final stand

Deep in a cattail marsh

Pond won’t give up ice

Weather remains harsh

Amid barren trees

Sheltered from a windy chill

Patches of melting snow

Vestiges of winter still

From a leafless perch

Welcomed sound is heard

Hail, harbinger of spring!

Hail, redwing blackbird

 

D. DeGraaf

March 24

After taking a break to do nature hikes elsewhere, I resume my quest to follow the Bad River downstream to its confluence with the Shiawassee River near Saginaw. The early morning skies are clear with temperatures in the upper 30’s as I’m greeted by a Northern Cardinal while looking down from a high bank in the Lafayette Cemetery to the water of the Bad River flowing rapidly to the north. The pile of logs over the channel reminds me how the Chippewa Indians had great difficulty navigating this watercourse and so named it the “bad river”. After descending the steep bank to the river’s edge, I move along the flood plain where I notice some green, spiny rosettes of Bull Thistle. These are the first year growth of a two year cycle. Next year, they will produce an erect stem that will display lovely pink blossoms (stock photo). Nearby, I come upon a decaying log displaying a common shelf fungus called White Cheese Polypore. While some sources mention potential medicinal properties, it's not recommended for consumption. Near shore, I spot the inner bivalve shell of a Mussel in the shallow water. Just ahead, I notice the outer bivalve shell of a Mussel displaying its growth rings. These rings are formed annually, with one dark and one light band representing a year of growth. Older mussels may have worn or indistinct rings, making them hard to count. Growth ring formation can be influenced by the availability of food, water temperature and other environmental factors, leading to inconsistencies in ring spacing and clarity. Despite these challenges, growth rings remain a valuable tool for studying mussel populations. Also in the flood plain, I observe Haircap moss growing on bare rock. Because it's a non-vascular plant that doesn't require soil or a complex root system, this moss uses rhizoids to anchor itself and absorbs moisture and nutrients directly through its leaves from the air and water. Ascending the bank, I pause on the St. Charles Rd. bridge as the river water flows under me. From here, I catch a quick glimpse of a flying formation of singing Tundra Swans returning to their breeding grounds in the Arctic Coastal Plain of Canada. In winter they migrate to the West and East coasts of the United States, where they live in wetlands and salt marshes. Turning around and making my way back to the car, I look afar to see a deer walking past while I listen to a singing Song Sparrow.  Near the car, I pause one last time to hear the flowing water while being serenaded by birdsongs, including a Redwing Blackbird and a Mourning Dove.

Gone winter ice

Your current revealed

Flowing again

Through forest and field

Gone winter snow

Your banks revealed

Sprouts of green

Earth will yield

Gone winter chill

Birdsongs revealed

River of spring

Nature you wield

 

D. DeGraaf