February 23

The early morning temperatures are in the upper 20’s under partly sunny skies as I begin my hike in Bulger Preserve, CWC’s newest acquisition.  Established in 2025, this 1+ acre property is located along the Chippewa River, 5 miles SW of Mt. Pleasant. Soon, I pause to listen to the clear call of a Carolina Wren (stock photo). These birds are increasingly common year-round residents of the state, due to warmer winters. They are early nesters, sometimes beginning in April, and are known to nest in man-made spots like mailboxes, hanging plants, and garages. Exploring the flood plain, I come upon the skull bone of a Virginia Opossum. These common critters have a very short lifespan, typically living only 1.5 to 2 years in the wild due to high predation, vehicular accidents, and environmental stress such as extreme cold, which can cause frostbite on their tails and ears. Continuing through the woodland, my ears first perk up to the call of a Tufted Titmouse (stock photo) and then a Common Crow. The ground around me displays an oak, maple leaf litter as well as deer scat. Overhead, I spot branches of needles of Canadian Hemlock as well as branches of a Muscle Wood tree still hanging on to its dead leaves. Called Marcescence, dead leaves of this tree do not fall off in autumn but remain attached until spring growth pushes them off. The dried leaves may protect delicate overwintering buds from: drying winter winds, sudden temperature swings and browsing deer since those crispy leaves might make twigs slightly less appealing. When new leaves begin to push out in April and May, they physically shove off the old papery leaves. One windy warm day and suddenly the tree is clean again. Reaching the snow-covered edge of the Chippewa River, I look upstream as the water flows past. Then, I look downstream as the water continues to wear away the icy shoreline. The river here is about halfway on its journey from its source in Barryton to the Chippewa Nature Center near Midland where it merges with the Pine River. Turning back toward the car, I come upon an interesting bark trio of a Hop Hornbeam tree next to a White Cedar tree with a Wild Grape vine between them. Pausing near the car, I think about nature’s familiar late-winter duality of stillness and stirring. The ice will withdraw soon. The snow patches will fade into memory. Buds will swell among the trees. This morning beneath a partly sunny sky, the preserve shows both endings and beginnings as a scenic watercourse moves steadily along its edge.

No gathering geese

Or mallards in flight

No croaking frogs

To welcome the night

Nestled in mud

Turtles aren’t seen

Beige and broken

Cattails aren’t green

River wetlands

Covered and sealed

End of February

Nature revealed

 

D. DeGraaf

February 16

The mid-morning sky is partly sunny with temperatures in the low 30’s as I begin my hike on a paved path in Mt. Pleasant’s Millpond Park. Up ahead, I can barely make out a Red squirrel perched high on a limb. Unlike Fox and Gray squirrels that bury their food in caches under the snow, Red squirrels harvest green cones, carry them to a favorite perch and methodically strip them for seeds. Over time, the discarded cones accumulate into noticeable mounds called middens (stock photo). Following the trail, I notice some of the ice-covered surface of the Chippewa River has opened up revealing flowing water. Looking more closely, I spot a few members of a large flock of Robins drinking water and flying around. Most likely these birds have taken the risk of wintering-over in the park rather than migrate. They can survive by consuming winter foods like Winterberry, Hawthorn and Juniper. In cold snaps, they sometimes gorge on fermented crabapples — which can make them disoriented (drunk). Other cold weather survival techniques of Robins include fluffing their feathers to trap heat and roosting in the shelter of a Cedar swamp. Glancing out on an ice-covered section of the river, I spot tracks of thirsty animals converging on a watering hole. Continuing along the path, I pause to watch the river water flow rapidly north carving a narrow channel through the ice. After looping back across the river, I spot a tree trunk covered with several rope-like vines of Poison Ivy as well as a newly gnawed 6-inch Beaver stump. Nearby, I pause to hear the faint song of a Northern Cardinal. Just ahead, I’m surprised to still see a few reddish-orange berries on a Bittersweet tree while near the ground, I spot the winter remains of once-lovely blossoms of Queen-Anne’s Lace. Veering off the paved trail, I follow a snow-covered path through a dense stand of Box Elder trees.  Turning back toward the car, I look up to take in the awesome sight of the sun breaking through the clouds. Nearing the car, I pause to hear a rare muted whirring call of a Blue Jay. Most everyone is familiar with the “jay-jay-jay” or “jeer” call of this bird. However, Blue Jays have a large repertoire of calls including those that mimic hawks. When I turn toward the parking lot, I look back at my footprints in the snow realizing they will fade in a few days. Trees will remain. The river will thaw. Other tracks will appear. Driving toward home, I’m grateful for another winter morning communing with nature at Mill Pond Park.

Waters of life

Nourishes earth

Flows in her veins

River of worth

Wonder of nature

Beauty to inspire

Clean and clear

River to admire

More than a stream

More than a creek

Cherish the Chippewa

River unique

 

D. DeGraaf

February 2

Repost Jan 30, 2018