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