January 6

It’s mid-morning as I stand on Jerome Rd watching water from the Bad River flow rapidly through a large culvert under me and continue east in a county drain. The name of this watercourse comes from the Chippewa Indians who called it the “bad river” because of how difficult it was for them to navigate. The skies are mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-30’s and a stiff west wind as I begin my quest to follow this river from its start here in Gratiot County to its end near Saginaw. Proceeding east along the bank, I’m alarmed by the narrow 15-ft conservation buffer strips on both sides of the waterway. As far back as 1991 Michigan DNR rated the Bad River water of poor quality due to high bedload sediment and turbidity. In 2013, based on the DNR’s recommendation that these buffer strips be at least 100 feet wide; money was granted to farmers to grow wider strips by planting trees and grasses to improve water quality, prevent erosion and provide habitat for wildlife. Continuing east, I spot a first-year green rosette of Sow Thistle that will blossom in year two (stock photo) and a green rosette of Common Mullein that too will blossom next year (stock photo). Ahead, I walk past a patch of Giant Foxtail with their seedheads swaying in the wind. Foxtail seeds can be dangerous for mammals, including pets and other domestic animals as they can become lodged in the skin, ears, nose and throat, causing painful sores, blisters and infections. Just ahead, I come upon one of many drain tiles emptying water into the river. Given its history, this sighting begs the questions: What is the source of the water and what is the quality of the water? As I follow the river eastward out of the cropland and into a wooded area, I imagine that many years ago, the entire length of the river channel meandered through a similar natural setting like this. From here the river flows east/northeast for 43 miles passing through the village of St. Charles before emptying into the Shiawassee River within the bounds of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Exploring the surrounding flood plain, I was saddened to come upon a fresh, decapitated carcass of an adult deer, likely killed during the recent hunting season. Unfortunately, I suspect the hunter merely wanted the head and horns for show. Nearby, I spot a stash of acorns collected by a squirrel preparing for winter while the leaf litter displays mostly Red Oak, White Oak and Burr Oak. Turning around to head back to the car, my eyes are drawn to a Rose bush displaying red hips, welcomed color in this barren winter landscape.

Winter arrives

December departs

Over the snow

Fox squirrel darts

Clouds of gray

Pines of green

Among branches

Bluejay seen

Ice-covered pond

Descending fog

Tracks on trail

Moss on logs

 

D. DeGraaf