Under sunny skies and temperatures in the low 30’s, I begin my hike in the Little Salt Creek park, located in the village of Shepherd. As I watch the water flow north, I’m reminded that “salt” in the river’s name has nothing to do with the chemistry of the surface water. Instead, it's associated with underground brine deposits nearby that once were mined for valuable minerals. Following the riverbank, I pause as the water flows slowly downstream. Standing here, I feel a quiet certainty that winter is retreating and spring is taking hold. Up ahead, I come upon what could be the start of a bird nest. Having heard a Carolina Wren last week near Mt. Pleasant and knowing that they are early, sloppy nesters, I’m thinking this could be one of theirs. Moving away from the channel, I make my way onto a wooded flood plain where I spot a Melanistic Gray Squirrel scampering down a tree trunk. Nearby, I first hear the not-so-common call of a Blue Jay and then spot a cluster of red fruit of High-bush Cranberry. Down the path, I walk past some deer tracks on a patch of snow while listening to the call of a Northern Cardinal. Continuing to explore, I look down at a patch of Turkey Tail fungi growing on a decaying log and then look up at a wide-open forest canopy. Nearby, I hear a Robin singing from on high while at my feet, the litter consists of Cottonwood and Maple leaves. Before turning around, I come again to the creek channel where I disturb a flock of Geese. Heading back, I spook a few deer and watched them race across a distant ridge. Nearing the car, I encounter a few muddy mounds created by Eastern Moles (stock photo). These small mammals remain active all winter and do not hibernate. They usually tunnel below the frost line hunting for worms and larvae. As the ground thaws they push soil up from deeper tunnels creating these volcano-shaped mounds. Taking one last look as water flows toward me, I think about the identify crisis of this watercourse. While current maps label it “Salt Creek.”, maps in the 1800’s called it “Salt River”, which was also the name of the village that is now Shepherd. Likewise, the graveyard south of the village is still called Salt River Cemetery and this park is called “Little Salt River Park. However, there is another watercourse that runs through the middle of Isabella and Midland Counties that currents maps label “Salt River” (stock photo). To confuse matters even more, upstream this same watercourse meanders through a golf course that once named it “Winding Brook” and now names it “Maple Creek”.
March commences
Lingering chill
Creatures hiding
Sounds are nil
Out of the silence
A song is heard
Morning melody
Nature stirred
High in the pines
Message to bring
Cardinal of winter
Beckoning spring
D. DeGraaf
