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