March 30

The noontime temperatures are in the mid 40’s under mostly cloudy skies and a gentle breeze as I begin my hike on Consumer’s Energy property along the north side of the Pine River Millpond in Alma. To start with, I spot a mating pair of Mallards and then follow a narrow earthen trail through a dense stand of leafless Sandbar Willow. Along the way, one of the branches displays a dried up rose gall. Last year, midge larvae feeding on stem tips, disrupted their growth causing leaves to form a, flower-like rosette. (stock photo). Generally these galls are harmless to the overall health of the tree. Nearby, I come upon a dead Opossum on the ground with patchy white and dark fur. This unusual color is due to Leucism-a recessive genetic condition causing partial loss of pigmentation. Looking more closely, I see it has been killed by a body gripper trap (stock photo). A little farther, I notice remnants of a Muskrat lodge as well as a dead Fox Squirrel, also killed by a gripper trap. Gazing far out on the millpond, I observe a pair of Trumpeter Swans. When lakes and rivers start freezing in late fall, some of these birds move south to find open water—often just to nearby states like Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, or Arkansas. If they can find open water and food locally, they will stay in Michigan all winter. Passing by a stand of last year’s cattails, I’m not surprised to see and hear a male Redwing Blackbird defending his nest territory. Nearby, I first hear the harsh call of a Common Grackle before it flies off over the water. Even though these two blackbird species forage in the same mixed flocks, their interactions can turn violent when resources or territories are at stake. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are notoriously fierce defenders of their nesting sites. They will aggressively dive-bomb and attack Grackles that trespass into their space. Likewise, Grackles are known to raid Redwings nests to eat their eggs and chicks. Up ahead, I spot the bright red fruit of American Bittersweet. Although poisonous to humans, the berries are a food source for many songbirds as well as small mammals like Fox squirrels. Speaking of Fox Squirrels, I spot a one perched on a tree branch staring at me while flicking its tail and chattering, a behavior to warn other squirrels of potential danger. As I looped back toward the car, I’m reminded that even this side of the Pine River has a story to tell. Stark beauty, life and death, natural rhythms and human influence—all coexist here. It is this blend, perhaps, that keeps drawing me back: not just to experience nature, but to witness its complexity.

Nature awakes

This time of year

Signs of the season

Spring is here!

Snow and ice

No longer conceal

Skunk Cabbage

Sprouts reveal

Cardinal calls

High in a perch

Finding a mate

Ending his search

 

D. DeGraaf