Monday, May 19, 2025

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

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