November 24

The early afternoon temperatures are in the mid 40’s under partly sunny skies and a west wind as I begin my hike in Alma’s Conservation Park. Following an earthen path, I notice the leaf litter and then pause to scan a wooded area displaying tree trunks of a variety of colors, textures and sizes. Leaving the area, my attention is drawn to a partially decomposed carcass of a female Whitetail deer. A closer look reveals the presence of a Common Green Bottle fly. These flies, found almost everywhere in the world, are attracted to unsanitary and moist environments, such as feces, garbage, and carcasses like this. Not visible on this video are hundreds of ½ -inch larvae (stock photo) crawling and feeding on the decaying organic matter. Proceeding through a wide power line easement, I see a recent mowing has cut down much of the vegetation. Years ago, the City of Alma and the power company established a native prairie grassland on this land. Once established, annual mowing helps warm season grasses and prairie wildflowers to thrive while curbing the overgrowth of cool season grasses and woody plants. Heading along the south boundary, I spot a Common Privet shrub displaying a few of its dark berries. While birds can eat the berries, they offer low nutritional value and are considered harmful to humans, dogs, cats and livestock. Far ahead, I easily spot a black squirrel (Melanistic morph of a gray squirrel) scurrying up a tree. On the other hand, the Common Gray squirrels in the park are harder to spot because their fur blends into the bark of many trees (stock photo). Despite a lack of camouflage, the black squirrel population is growing in the county. One reason is their black fur helps them absorb more heat, a key advantage in colder climates. Also, in modern, urban environments, some researchers theorize they might be more visible and thus less likely to be hit by cars. While walking along the Pine River bank, I pause to observe the lake-like impoundment whose water is significantly polluted due to a combination of agricultural runoff and contamination from local industrial sites. The nearby dam creates a slower-moving, warm body of water that is highly susceptible to nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff. This causes excessive aquatic plant growth and frequent algae blooms, which deplete the water of dissolved oxygen and harm aquatic life. Like other parts of the Pine River, the impoundment shows dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria, making it unsafe for recreational activities like fishing, swimming and even boating.

Coyote of the night

Moon won’t stay

The hunt was hard

Your hunger obey

Picked up a scent

Options to weigh

The kill was quick

Devoured your prey

Found your den

Without delay

Creature of the wild

Another day

 

D. DeGraaf

November 17

The early afternoon sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I begin my hike in Mt. Pleasant’s Chipp-a-waters Park. While looking at and listening to the flowing water of the Chippewa River, my attention is drawn to a Muskrat swimming near shore. Proceeding along a paved pathway, I notice Goldenrod and Burdock are seeding out. Up ahead, I come upon the white seeds of a Clematis vine (Old Man’s Beard). This plant produces small, creamy-white flowers (stock photo) in late summer. After the flowers fade, each developing seed retains a long, feathery appendage that group together in clusters creating the distinctive "beard" appearance on the vine. This common name, along with another, "Traveler’s Joy" (because it lines hedgerows and brings joy to weary travelers), has been in use for centuries. Up ahead, I spot the dark berries of Buckthorn and the red hips of Wild Rose. Looking out at the river, I spot two pair of Mallards feeding and a log covered with what-appears-to-be Oyster mushrooms. Back on land, my attention is drawn to a fresh Beaver gnaw and an abandoned Robin’s nest in a Buckthorn tree. Following the path into a woodland, I stop and face the massive trunk of a huge Cottonwood tree. According to the description on a trail sign, the tree is one of the largest in the state, at 71 inches in diameter and 220 inches in circumference (3 adults, hand-in-hand). Still exploring the woodland, I note the canopy is open except for some lingering oak leaves while the dense leaf litter shows maple and oak. A shrub that still displays green leaves is Winterberry with its bright red fruit. Turning around, I leave the woodland where I observe the highly textured bark of a small River Birch tree. Crossing over the Brandell Bridge, I pause to watch the water of the Chippewa River flow under me. This river originates about 25 miles from here in the village of Barryton. It flows SE through Lake Isabella, as well as some county parks and CWC preserves before reaching this point. Hiking to the entrance of Veits Woods, I pause to notice the cone-shaped red berry clusters of Staghorn Sumac. Turning around and heading back toward the car, my ears perk up to the sound of a Red-bellied Woodpecker (stock photo). Looking up high on a tall, leafless Cottonwood tree, I spot a golf-ball size Twig Gall. Nearby, hanging from a tree are vines of Multiflora rose with their red hips and Virginia Creeper with their purple berries. These berries, that look a lot like edible, Wild Grapes, are toxic to humans and pets, but not birds.

Woods of November

Season of the gun

Whitetail of the wild

You’re on the run

Scent of humans

Flurries of snow

Whitetail of the wild

Time to lie low

Creature of nature

One of the best

Whitetail of the wild

No time to rest

 

D. DeGraaf

November 10

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 50’s under mostly sunny skies and a stiff west wind as I begin hiking at Forest Hill Nature Area. Right away, I notice a few Dark-eyed Juncos flying low among some trees and spot one as it perches briefly on a branch. These “snowbirds” arrive in Michigan in late September to early October, often as one of the first signs of approaching winter. Migrating from their summer breeding grounds in Canada, Michigan serves as their "south" where they overwinter. Heading west through fields of amber-colored Switch Grass, I look up to notice a few green, Sweet Crab apples still hanging on the tree. This native species is found throughout the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  Nearby, I begin exploring what once was the bottom of a marsh called Sora Swale, now dried up due to a long-term drought. First, I come upon a few 1/2 -inch Marsh Ramshorn snail shells as well as a 1-inch Wooly Bear Caterpillar. Folklore suggests that the width of the middle brown band of this caterpillar can predict the severity of the coming winter. However, scientific evidence has debunked this, as the band width is actually influenced by the caterpillar's age, diet, and moisture levels. Still, looking around this dried up marsh, I observe white, snow-like patches that are actually dried fruiting bodies of slime mold. Entering South Woods, I come American Witch Hazel trees in bloom. The flowers are small, fragrant, and bright yellow with four distinctive, crinkly, ribbon-shaped petals. This species is unique among many flowering plants because it blooms from October through December. Near the exit to South Woods, I notice an 8-inch diameter Puffball mushroom. At this early stage, the fungus is white, firm and quite edible. Up ahead, I spot some Thin-walled Maze Polypore fungi growing on a decaying tree trunk. This is a tough, inedible bracket fungus with a maze-like pore surface on its underside that turns pinkish or reddish when bruised. Walking along, I see a few dragonflies fluttering about. However, tracking one that landed on a Basswood leaf, I’m not surprised it’s an Autumn Meadowhawk. As its name suggests, this species is known for being cold-hardy and remains active into November and December. Heading back toward the car, I look up to see an 8-inch diameter Bald-faced hornet nest attached to tree branches. The nest is constructed from a paper-like material the hornets create by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with their saliva. By now the workers and drones have died off, the nest is vacant and will not be reused. 

November winds rise

Air temperatures fall

Leafless shrubs short

Naked Aspens tall

Aster flowers close

Canopy opens wide

Chickadees are seen

Frogs and toads hide

Maple leaves descend

Oak’s cling and hang

Mother Earth in balance

Nature’s Yin and Yang

 

D. DeGraaf

November 3

The early afternoon temperatures are in the mid 50’s under sunny skies and a stiff east breeze as I begin my hike east through the Runway Disc Golf course toward the Pine River. Walking down one of the fairways, I notice the leaf litter consists mostly of large heart-shaped leaves from a Catalpa tree. Looking up, I’m not surprised to see one of the trees displaying several of its foot-long seed pods dangling from its branches.  Up ahead, I come upon a loose flock of small birds, where I spot one of them perching- a Yellow-rumped Warbler displaying its muted fall plumage. These birds are often the first warblers to arrive in Michigan and one of the last to leave in the fall. Their name refers to a bright yellow rump patch that also refers to their nickname, "butterbutt" (stock photo). Nearby, I stoop, pick a Motherwort leaf and take in a pleasing aroma, though not particularly minty. While most sources suggest an unpleasant scent, a few descriptions do note a "peculiar, aromatic or pleasant fragrance”. Finally, I reach an extensive backwater section of the Pine River. While these wetlands are not part of the main river channel, they are an essential part of the riparian ecosystem. Hiking along the bank, I pause to watch the afternoon sunshine reflect off the water surface. Looking around, the bright red fruit of a Japanese Barberry shrub catch my eye. This plant, native to Japan was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant. The berries are edible but extremely tart and bitter. They are more palatable when cooked and used as a flavoring for jams, jellies and teas. Working my way back toward the car, I spot an unusual situation where a Prickly Wild rose shrub with its large red hips (on the left) is growing next to a Multiflora rose shrub with its small red hips (on the right). One difference is that the Prickly rose is native while the Multiflora rose is an invasive non-native.  Both types of hips are edible and rich in vitamin C, though they contain small, hairy seeds that can cause digestive irritation. Along the way, I spot a Pear-leaved Crab Apple tree loaded with fruit. This tree is native to East Asia and northern China. While the apples are edible for humans, they are too tart to eat raw, making them best for use in jams, jellies or cider.  They are also a valuable food source for deer and small mammals, especially in late fall and winter when other food is scarce. Near the car, I pause to watch a tiny Sweat Bee feeding on a Bull Thistle blossom, realizing this maybe my final time witnessing such an event this season as both blossoms and adult insects will soon die off.

Gone from the fields

Luster of gold

Warmth of summer

Turning cold

Gone are redwings

That ruled the marsh

Winds of November

Blow stiff and harsh

Gone is the green

Of leaves and vines

Nature in autumn

Seasonal signs

 

D. DeGraaf