We meet again river called Pine
Who did you pass along the way?
Was it an angler casting a line
Or on the shore, children play
Maybe a hiker over a bridge
Or a farmer plowing the bank
Maybe someone photographing
Or crop duster emptying its tank
Maybe an owner treating his lawn
Or canoeist going with the flow
Or picnickers littering the edge
Human being, friend or foe?
D. DeGraaf
For the last Pine River encounter in Isabella County, I leave my car off Chapman Rd., just east of the village of Millbrook. It’s mid mourning under sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50’s when I pause on the bank to watch the river flow eastward through a scenic autumn landscape. The muddy shoreline reveals a leaf litter of maple and hickory as well as green Starwort pondweed. Gazing skyward, I could barely make out a gibbous moon through the leafless branches of a towering dead Ash tree. Hiking through dense underbrush, I pass by Virginia Stickseed and Burdock where, not surprisingly, several of their seeds and burrs stick to my pants. In 1948, Swiss engineer, George de Mestral duplicated the hook and loop fastener inspired by the Burdock burrs. The result of his new invention was Velcro ® brand fasteners, a name that came from the French words for velvet (“velours”) and hook (“crochet”). Looking down, I spot the posterior of a 4-inch Leopard Frog, noting its skin is darker than the usual green-mostly like a genetic variation. Back to the water’s edge, I look overhead as a gust of wind moves through a stand of colorful, mature maple and then look down to see a couple of never-before-seen Ditch Stonecrop plants with their colorful seed capsules. Continuing to explore the bank, I observe two plants with ripe fruit of nearly the same color and size, namely Wild Grape and Virginia Creeper. Despite these similarities, there are critical differences. Fruit of Wild Grape can be eaten as a trail snack but tastes better after the first frost. Making juice from the grapes is a great way to benefit from their goodness. Also, since the grapes freeze well, they can be used for juice throughout the winter. The leaves are also edible. They can be eaten in a salad (they have a tangy citrusy taste) or cooked. On the other hand, Virginia creeper berries and leaves are toxic. They contain tiny crystals called oxalate crystals. If chewed, they can cause irritation to the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat. Although rare, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing can occur. Heading back to the car, I pause to notice Timothy Grass is in bloom before taking one last look at the river as the morning sun reflects off the water.
High in a canopy
Touching a cloud
Leaf of scarlet
Lost in the crowd
Time to let go
Time to break free
Tis the season
Fall from the tree
Waft thru branches
Without a sound
Welcome to earth
Adorn the ground
D, DeGraaf
With a chill in the air and the early morning sun at my back, I’m standing on Isabella County’s Roland Rd. bridge as the Pine River flows gently under me. Descending the roadbed into the floodplain, I make my way gingerly toward the channel through a very wet stand of matted down Reed Canary grass. This cool-season perennial grass thrives in conditions like this. However, it’s highly invasive and spreads rapidly through rhizomes to produce dense stands, preventing the growth of native wetland species. Arriving at the bank, I look around to see the delicate web of an orb weaver as well as seed pods of Swamp Milkweed. Nearby, decaying tree trunks display rarely seen Liverwort and Elegant Sunburst Lichen. Also known as the “space lichen”, this species was sent to the International Space Station and exposed to the vacuum of space. After surviving for 18 months by drying up and going dormant, it began to grow when given water upon returning to Earth. Moving along the bank, I first hear the faint call of a solitary Chickadee and then spot a few berries of Bittersweet Nightshade. There is much disagreement over the toxicity of these berries. Some say that paralysis can result in humans that have eaten as few as six berries. Cases of poisoning in cattle, horses, and sheep have been documented. Concentrations of toxic compounds within plants may vary with growth stage, and chemical components may vary from one individual plant to the next. Working my way back to the road, a Maple tree with leaves changing colors catches my eye. After crossing the bridge, I begin to explore the far bank where I observe a Crane Fly resting in the undergrowth, a few berries still clinging to a Silky Dogwood bush and a Curly Dock plant loaded with seeds. As a relative of buckwheat, Dock seeds are edible. Nature foragers strip them from the stem and grind them into flour that is high in fiber and gluten free. Along the way, I notice lots of Joe-Pye weed fully seeded out and a decaying tree trunk loaded with aging and browning Oyster Mushrooms. Turning around, I make my way back toward the car where I’m surprised to see a few colorful blossoms, including White Sweet Clover and Red Clover Also, the colorful leaves and hips of a Wild Rose vine catches my eye. Back in the car, I take off down the road noticing “road apples” deposited by a half dozen Amish horse and buggies that I saw during my hour-long river encounter.
Back by your side, riverflow
Favorite season? Hard to know
Now it’s time for autumn’s show
Midstream mirrors the dazzling sun
amid maple red and aspen gold.
But, what about winter, riverflow
when drifts adorn the frozen shore.
Or, what about spring? When
blossoms decorate barren banks.
And then there’s summer when
emerald walls line your channel wide.
Riverflow, back by your side.
D. DeGraaf
The midmorning temperature is 63 degrees under sunny skies as I turn west off Isabella County’s Britton Rd., onto a 2-track, drive for a ¼ mile along a powerline easement, park and walk another 100 yards to view the Pine River as it converges with Pony Creek. This creek is one of 20 tributaries included in the 425 square mile Pine River watershed. Midstream, I spot a large irrigation pipe hooked to a pump. There are several of these along this river system, supposedly sanctioned by the state DEQ, permitting farmers to draw out millions of gallons of water and raising questions about the long-term impact of such practices. From the bank, I follow the river down stream where I come upon several mature Musclewood trees with their fluted and tight bark resembling muscle tissue, hence the name. This slow-growing understory tree is also called Blue Beech or American hornbeam. The name “hornbeam” derives from its extremely hard wood that takes a “horn-like” polish and was once used by early Americans to make bowls and ox yokes. The “beam” in hornbeam refers to the beam of wood that separated the ox bows. Also, the strength of the wood and resistance to cracking makes it a useful for toolmaking, such as axe handles. Pausing again to take in the surroundings, I notice some signs of early autumn, including a maple leaf at my feet, Virginia Creeper leaves on the far shore as well as a few fallen leaves being carried downstream. Other signs of the season include dying bracken fern fronds, bright red stems(pedicels) on a Gray Dogwood shrub and a few ripe Autumn Olive berries (Autumn berries) that I pick and eat. Not only is the fruit edible but it is also rich in vitamins A, C, and E. While most people know Autumn Olive is highly invasive, some realize that using the berries for sauces and jam requires boiling the berries, killing the seeds thus reducing its spread. This method of control is much more adaptive than dousing it with herbicides. Continuing to explore the landscape, I notice a Bumblebee feeding on Aster blossoms and a Honeybee feeding on Goldenrod blossoms. Just ahead, I come upon some unripe fruit of both Ground Cherry (Husk Tomatoes) and never-before-seen, American Beautyberry. Before heading back, I make my way over to the edge of Pony Creek to take in the sights and sounds. Finally, back to the car for my trip home where I pass a few horse-drawn buggies and several large Amish farms that often include lumbermills. This Old Order Amish settlement that began in1983 when families moved to the area from Ohio grew to 60 families by 2014.
Tell me your secrets
River of worth
What tales untold
Meandering earth
What of your water
Is it toxic or clean
Can flora thrive
Can fish convene
What of autumn
Now on display
Do aspens and maples
Color your way
D. DeGraaf
For my second Pine River encounter in Isabella County, I find myself standing on the Pleasant Valley Rd. bridge as a gentle current moves south through a lush landscape. The midmorning temperature is in the mid 60’s under partly sunny, but hazy skies due to smoke being blown from massive wildfires on the west coast, some 2300 miles away. Nearby, while listening to a chorus of Orthopterans (Grasshoppers, Crickets & Katydids), I spot some bright red berries of Maple Leaf Viburnum and Clematis vines seeding out to where it gets the name, “Old Man’s Beard.” Next to the bridge, I notice a 1/8-inch Leafhopper on a Knapweed blossom as well as some honeybees moving among blossoms of white Aster. Climbing down along the bank, I come upon some Smartweed, displaying two different color blossoms, most likely an example of genetic polymorphism. Further ahead, I pause to scan a patch of Cinnamon ferns with dying fronds. Upon a closer view, I spot some of their dark spore stalks. Approaching the river’s edge, I stop to take in the scenic riparian landscape. Near my feet, I can hardly see a Green frog resting in the mud. Despite their name, these amphibians are not always green but come in a range of colors from beige, black, brown, yellow, blue and of course green. Working my way back, I come upon two plants with sticky burrs, Burdock and Cocklebur. Also, I notice some Ragweed that is seeding out. Despite its reputation as a source of hay fever, ragweed is surprisingly edible. There's evidence that Native Americans actually planted it and harvested the seeds. The seeds have a large percentage of crude protein. This would have been an important food source during long winters. A nutritious oil was also produced by crushing and boiling the seeds in water. Plant-based fats were almost unheard of, so ragweed oil was definitely anticipated and harvested each season. Interestingly enough, ragweed was also part of the early herbal pharmacy. The crushed leaves are astringent, so that makes them effective in treating bug bites and rashes. Modern science has also discovered that ragweed can help remove toxic heavy metals like lead from the soil. The plants can help clear up industrial waste and improve the soil. Finally, another visit complete, I head for home.
I welcome these days
When Egrets pass through
Creeper leaves glow red
Their berries shine blue
I welcome the sun
On its annual descent
Geese are gathering
The meadow is spent
I welcome the morning
Cool and clear
I welcome autumn
Happy it’s here!
D. DeGraaf
It was last April when I began to follow the Pine River from its terminus in Midland County. While traveling upstream through Midland, Gratiot and Montcalm counties, I made 20 stops to explore the channel and its ecosystems. On this chilly, overcast morning, I’m at stop 21 in Isabella County pausing on the Fremont Rd. bridge to watch the river flow gently south along the edge of Coldwater Rd. Working my way along the bank, I notice some red Virginia Creeper leaves and a young Cocklebur plant. Since its burs get hopelessly tangled in the hair and fur of mammals, this is a plant to be avoided. Also, every part of it is extremely toxic to mammals and has caused many a death to livestock. Further along, I spot some Common Nettle plants loaded with green seeds. Despite the leaves causing skin to itch and burn if touched, the seeds are quite edible. They are tasty, crunchy and full of oil high in polyunsaturated fatty acids - predominantly linoleic and linolenic acids that our bodies use to make essential fatty acids. Just ahead, as a gust of wind from the north passes through, I observe the swaying blossoms of Joe-Pye Weed, some seeding out and a contracted flower head of Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot) that has a cage-like appearance. Grabbing the flower head and spreading it open with my fingers, I’m not surprised to find a ½-inch spotted caterpillar, larva of the Carrot-seed Moth (stock photo). This moth was first noticed in Midwestern North America in 2002. Some researchers suggest that it may have hitchhiked on a trans-Atlantic vessel that ended up at a Great Lakes port. Other sights along the bank include blossoms of White Turtlehead and Blue Vervain as well as the spiny 2-inch fruit of Wild Cucumber. Although this plant is related to the familiar, domestic vegetable, the prickly “cucumbers” are not edible. Nearby, I spot blossoms of Sky-blue Aster among Canadian Goldenrod and a large Goldenrod flower or bunch gall. This dense leaf growth is caused by a midge larva that disturbs normal leaf development. Continuing along the bank, I notice a Michigan Lily plant that once displayed its colorful blossoms (stock photo) has gone to seed, now displaying 1½ inch pods. Venturing off the main trail, I pass an Autumn Olive bush with some ripe fruit and then proceed through dense undergrowth back to the river’s edge. From here, I find my way back to the car and head for home.
Seasons are changing
Nature gives and takes
One landscape fades
Another one awakes
Takes leaves of green
Gives us those of red
Takes away the flowers
Gives us seeds instead
Takes a redwing’s song
Gives us a cricket’s call
Takes away summer
Replaces it with fall
D. DeGraaf
Within a remote section of the Edmore State Game Area in Montcalm County as a bright morning sun and cool temperatures accompany me, I descend a steep, wooded bank toward another encounter with the Pine River. At the water’s edge, I pause to take in the quiet beauty of this riparian landscape as well as spot bird tracks on a small sandbar midstream. Based on the size, shape and location of the tracks, they appear to be those of a Bald Eagle. Away from the river, I come upon tiny blossoms of Virginia Knotweed, Blue-stem Goldenrod and the web funnel of a Wolf spider near the top of a Canadian Goldenrod plant. As the wind picks up, I gaze skyward at the dense, broadleaf canopy while in the lush understory I notice blossoms of Blue Lobelia and Cardinal flower. Next, I move into a soggy, peninsula-like floodplain, created by a sharp curve in the channel, where I observe a clump of Panicle Asters beginning to bloom and scattered blossoms of Nodding Bur Marigold. Nearby, on a small patch of mud, animal tracks catch my attention including raccoon and a meandering beetle. Another patch reveals a sitting, 1½-inch Wood frog, well-camouflaged against the muddy ground. Further along, a ½-inch Robber fly and a 1-inch Crane fly are seen basking on separate leaves. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Crane fly is neither a predator of mosquitoes nor a colossal mosquito. They spend most of their life as larvae (stock photo) living underwater in streams and rivers. These insects emerge as adults for a quick mating spree before dying. Since they have no mouthparts, they do not eat during their short, 2-week life. Turning around, I climb out of the floodplain and begin making my way back toward the car when I spot the red berry cluster of False Solomon Seals. Next, I witness a Crane fly flailing mightily to escape a spider web. This struggle to survive applies to all life forms and plays out constantly in the natural world. After watching it for about 20 seconds, the Crane fly gets away. Near the car, I notice some Ragweed, whose pollen is a major source of air borne allergies this time of year even though most people blame it on Goldenrod. Back in the car, I reflect on my river journey so far as I leave Montcalm County and soon move upstream into Isabella County.
They brought the river and me
out of the doldrums of winter
with their shrills of delight,
and flights of flashing orange.
Perching, nesting in the cattails
brought beauty to our summer.
Today, a void, sadness of heart,
our blackbirds headed south,
heeding nature’s call.
I long for their return next year
so, we can share our lives again.
D. DeGraaf
