October 6

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s under sunny skies and a refreshing east breeze, as I stand on County Line Rd, watching stalks of Giant Stinging Nettle sway in the breeze as water of Bush Creek flows north. Handling these stalks produces a serious sting due to hairs on the stems and leaves. From here, the creek still has 4 miles to go before merging with the Pine River. Still on the road, I look down into the clear, shallow water to spot a school of 2-inch minnows, likely Bluntnose. This species is one of the most common minnows in Michigan and much of eastern North America. They feed mostly on small insects, algae and plankton. They typically live 3–4 years and reach a maximum size of 4 inches. Hiking upstream, I catch a glimpse of a wading Great Blue Heron, standing still, fishing for minnows, frogs or snakes. Most herons migrate south by the end of October, returning in March. However, some individuals may stay in Michigan throughout the winter if there are areas of open, unfrozen water. Moving ahead, I spook the Heron and can barely see it as it takes off and flies a short distance up stream to another fishing spot. Beside the trail, I spot both white and purple blossoms of Aster. The name Aster means star in reference to the shape of the flower. The purple ‘flower’ of New England Aster is actually made up of an aggregate of about 100-150 individual flowers of two types that form a head. The ‘petals’ are each an individual flower called a ray flower. In the center of the head is the other kind of flower called a disk flower (stock photo). Walking through a dense patch of Goldenrod, my feet step on a dried crunchy layer of leaves that had previously fallen from a huge Cottonwood tree overhead. Along the bank, I’m not surprised to see one of many nut-like galls on a Goldenrod plant. This spherical swelling is caused by the tiny Goldenrod Gall Fly. The female fly lays eggs in the stem, and the larva's secretions trigger the plant to form the gall, creating a protective chamber and food source for the larva over winter. During winter birds such Woodpeckers and Chickadees as peck holes in the galls to reach the larvae inside. In some areas, people collect the galls in early spring to use the larvae as fish bait. In the spring, the larva pupates, transforming into an adult fly inside the gall. It then tunnels out and flies away to start the cycle again. Heading back to the car, I notice the leaves of Staghorn Sumac are turning red. Finally, as the season progresses, I pause as a gust of wind rattles the surrounding leaves that yet cling to the branches before they waft to the earth.

Landscape of autumn

Transformed again

Creature of summer

Retreats to its den

Milkweed pods

Dry up and shred

Silky white seeds

Escape and spread

Goodbye to the goose

Farewell to the crane

October commences

In nature’s domain

 

D. DeGraaf