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