January 13

Under sunny skies and frigid temperatures in the mid-teens, I’m standing on the edge of Buchannan Rd, facing south to see the frozen surface of the Bad River. It’s late morning as I begin my 2nd encounter with this watercourse that I plan to follow downstream to its confluence with the Shiawassee River, near Saginaw. Proceeding along the bank, I immediately spot a large tree trunk covered with green lichens and dark blobs of dead jelly mushrooms that are amber-colored when alive in the summer. (stock photo). Down at the river’s edge, I notice a very thin layer of clear ice on the water surface along with some scattered white dendritic ice crystals. These tree-like structures form quickly in a time of rapid temperature change. Following a trail along the flood plain, it’s easy to tell that many of the surrounding trees are Boxelder with their trunks that stick out in all directions. After turning around to return to the car, I spot a couple of dead, snow-dusted Pheasant back mushrooms attached to a decomposed stump. Back in the car, I drive a short distance south on Croswell Rd., park and watch the ice-covered river continues its journey eastward. Exploring the flood plain, I come upon an opossum carcass displaying an 11-inch hairless tail. The interesting part of the tail is that it has a layer of bony plates (stock photo) that not only help to protect it but also strengthen it. Opossums hanging from tree branches by their tail is a myth started by people who have seen baby and juvenile opossums doing this. On the other hand, an adult opossum cannot hang for more than a few seconds. The tail is particularly useful because it can curl up and grip twigs and other materials for nest building (stock photo). Scanning the far bank, I first look at and listen to water slowly flowing out of a drain tile and then I spot a very narrow buffer strip between the exposed cropland and the river channel. Whether from surface runoff or drain tiles, excess nitrates and phosphates from a previous fertilizer application can pollute the river water. Cold river water can be particularly problematic because while the nutrients from the fertilizer might be locked in the ice or frozen soil during winter, when the water thaws and warms in spring, a large burst of nutrients becomes available, leading to rapid algal blooms and potential depletion of oxygen levels, harming aquatic life. Also, knowing that this river has a history of excess sedimentation, the ice cover acts as a barrier, hindering water flow and decreasing the ability to carry sediment particles. 

Great bird of prey

Wingspan wide

You ride the wind

Soar and glide

Perch alone

In a tree so tall

How do you spot

A mouse so small

Off you fly 

If I get near

Red tailed hawk

You I revere

 

D. DeGraaf