November 1

While Caroline has business to take care of in the nearby town of Chelsea, Riley and I are hiking a trail in the Waterloo State Recreation Area. This 20,000-acre preserve is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula, home to 11 inland lakes and miles of marked trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. For visitors with mobility challenges, off-road, electronic chairs are available (stock photo). Under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50’s, we make are way on an earthen path through a dense woodland while listening to the call of a Blue Jay. Soon, I start to notice several Sassafras trees with leaves beginning to change colors. This tree is native to North America and was used by the Native Americans for various medicinal cures and cooking spices. Also, the roots and barks were commonly used for making root beer and tea until it was discovered they contain high concentrations of a carcinogenic chemical call, Safrole. Now days, the FDA prohibits the use of sassafras in food additives. Current brands of root beer use synthetic flavoring in place of sassafras. In addition, a form of Safrole referred to as Chinese sassafras oil was declared illegal because of its use in the manufacture of the illicit drug, MDMA, also known as ecstasy. Further down the trail, I spot some fungi including: Honey Mushrooms and Red Jelly spot. Colorful fruit that catch my eye include, red Japanese Barberry and blue Maple leaf Viburnum. The Viburnum fruit was bright red only a few weeks ago before ripening. Each berry-like fruit, called a drupe contains a single seed enclosed by a stony casing or pit, like a peach.  For many birds and other animals, these drupes are a welcome food source. Viburnum shrubs like many others have evolved to produce such fruits to enlist animals as partners in dispersing their seeds. The animal consumes the fruit, passing the seed through its digestive system and depositing the seed accompanied by other nutrients.  White-throated Sparrows, Cardinals as well as chipmunks and squirrels are among those who consume the fruit and disperse the seeds. Pausing near the lakeshore, I listen to the raucous call of Sandhill Cranes taking off. With a wingspan of six feet, this species is not only the largest bird in Michigan, but it still holds the title for the oldest living bird species. This pair is likely heading south for the winter, although some do overwinter if they can find adequate food and small areas of open water for roosting at night.

 

Hiking neath naked trees

Just a few clinging leaves

Some fall without a sound

Most blanket barren ground

A quilt of many colors

Yellow, red and others

Bare branches make debut

Morning sun in autumn view

Onset of November 

A day to remember

 

D. DeGraaf

October 25

The early morning is sunny and brisk as Riley and I hike southeast through Midland County’s Jasper Township Cemetery and arrive on the bank of the Pine River where color changes in the fall foliage are starting to show. Nearby, I notice Sugar Maple leaves turning color. Continuing downstream, I pause to look and listen to a steady stream of inflow draining into the river from cropland above the steep bank. My first thought is about the quality of this water. Is it merely clean runoff or is it tainted with chemical pollutants applied earlier this summer by the farmer? Moving away from the water, I listen to the familiar call of a male Redwing Blackbird, a sound more commonly heard in early spring in cattail marshes as these birds arrive from their wintering grounds to establish nesting territories. Since the adults and fledglings that nested locally have long since headed south, I suspect this one nested far to the north and is making its way south as well. Continuing to explore the flood plain, I spot some fresh Racoon scat containing lots of undigested fruit as well as old, bleached-out Broad-banded Forest Snail shell. From an aerial map, one can see that the landscape we are exploring is the inside loop of a highly meandering section of the Pine River (stock photo) that could likely develop into an oxbow lake in the future (stock photo). Returning to the riverbank, I pause again to listen to a singing Robin while watching the water flow around the bend. From here it continues northeast for 15 miles toward Midland where it converges with the Chippewa River at the Chippewa Nature Center. On our way back to the car, we plod through a meadow displaying lots of dried Milkweed pods bursting open to expose seeds with their silky white fibers, called floss. During World War II, after losing access to kapok, a seed fiber from the Philippines that was used for life jackets, the United States found the water repellent properties of milkweed floss were an effective substitute. To process the fiber, the Milkweed Floss Corporation of America was established in Petoskey, Michigan, in 1942 (stock photo). The need for milkweed was great, and because it was not a farmed crop, ordinary citizens and schoolchildren answered the call for picking ripe pods by scouring country roadsides and railroad tracks for the plant. Although the Milkweed Corporation closed after the war, enough seed floss was collected and processed to fill about 1.2 million life preservers.

 

An autumn story, riverflow

Your waters speak, fast or slow

Much you’ve gathered, riverflow

Much you carry, much you show

Leaves of color floating by

Mirrored surface reflecting sky

Muskrats swim beside the shore

Collecting greens for winter store

Beyond the bend, away you go

Force of nature, riverflow

 

D. DeGraaf

October 18

Riley and I are hiking along the edge of the Little Salt River (Salt Creek) in Isabella County’s village of Shepherd. Under overcast skies, the morning air is calm with mild temperatures as I look around to notice several, tall Northern Catalpa trees with their very large, heart-shaped leaves, marked with many small holes. Most likely these holes are made by larvae of the Sphinx Moth (stock photo) feeding on them, which is their only food source. This tree is sometimes called the Indian bean tree for its production of a distinctive fruit that resembles a long, thin bean pod that can grow up to two feet in length. Climbing down to explore the flood plain, I spot a variety of broadleaves changing color including: Virginia Creeper, Poison Ivy, Raspberry and American Elm. In addition, a variety of fruit catch my attention, including: Wild Grape, Viburnum and Multiflora Rose. At the river’s edge, I pause to observe the rapidly flowing water head northeasterly on its 15-mile journey where it will converge with the Chippewa River in Midland County. Given the unusually warm and rainy weather recently, I’m not surprised to observe fresh mushrooms, including: non-edible, White Cheese Polypore and non-edible, Cinnabar Polypore. Plodding our way through a pathless landscape, I come upon two types of Goldenrod galls, a nut gall and a bunch gall. Overhead, I notice a perching White-throated Sparrow. Most of this species migrate from here to spend the winter in the eastern United States, ranging from New England to way down in Florida. Nearby, I spot a perching Yellow-rump Warbler, another bird that will soon be heading south for the winter. On our way back to the car, I locate a patch of Wild Carrot plants with their seed heads tightly folded up. Sometimes these tiny “nests” provide food and shelter for larva such as the Carrot Seed Moth caterpillar (stock photo). Lastly, I bend down to open a walnut husk, lying on the ground, to see larvae of the Walnut Husk Fly feeding on the fleshy layer. These maggots will soon crawl into the soil and overwinter as pupae. Adult flies (stock photo) will start to emerge early next summer and continue through October. Finally, female flies will lay eggs under the skin of walnuts that will hatch into larvae as the cycle repeats.

 

Maples take their places

Nature sets the stage

Forest curtain opens

Autumn comes of age

Colorful leaves illuminated

By early morning sun

Blanket a barren ground

End of scene one

Canopy has thinned

Revealing sky of blue

Geese in V formation

End of scene two

D. DeGraaf

 

October 11

On a mostly cloudy morning with temperatures in the low 60’s, Riley and I are following a dirt road north through a very rural, flat, wooded section of Isabella County where broadleaf trees are starting to lose their chlorophyll. Referred to by locals as the “End of the World” trail, this narrow lane appears to be a place for high schoolers to party and off-roaders to explore.  My first sighting is a “black” squirrel scampering up a tree trunk. Despite its appearance, this is an Eastern Gray squirrel in disguise. The color variation is the result of a genetic mutation that causes excessive pigmentation. This phenomenon is called "melanistic," which refers to melanin, a chemical of pigmentation. Further along, I look overhead to see leaves of Red Oak turning colors and look down where newly-fallen Aspen and Maple leaves add a colorful layer to the drab leaf litter. Continuing north, I come upon a patch of fresh, very edible Oyster mushrooms and a female Winterberry shrub displaying bright red berries. Since this species is dioecious, to get berries on a female plant, a separate male plant must be near for pollination. The berries remain for several weeks through fall and winter, as birds tend not to be interested in them until they ripen. Though an important food source for wildlife, the berries are poisonous to pets and people. Nearby, the dainty blossoms of a Witch Hazel tree catch my attention. These late-blooming flowers are fragrant and add color to the increasing stark woodland.  After walking about a half mile on this wet dirt road through prime deer habitat, I’m both surprised and puzzled not to see a single track. Turning around, we hike south on a parallel earthen trail covered with Wintergreen plants bearing fruit. These berries are a favorite breath mint and trailside snack. One of the few fruits that is at its sweetest and freshest on a cold winter or early spring day, frozen Wintergreen berries offer the texture of sorbet and a classic wintergreen flavor. Just before reaching the car, I spot a 4-inch Amanita mushroom. Also known as "fly agaric", it can attract and kill flies. Also, it appears to be attractive and lethal to dogs and cats, as well. To humans, this mushroom is not poisonous per se, but rather hallucinogenic.  When eaten, one can become intoxicated or get sick and vomit.

 

An aura of autumn

Before snows come

From sunny glades

Colors and shades

Of scarlet and gold

Trees, young and old

Where frost of fall 

Envelops it all

In crystalline white

During longer night

Mother Nature’s show

Her October glow

 

D. DeGraaf

October 4

Riley and I are in a section of the Edmore State Games Area, off S. County Line Rd., 5 miles north of Vestaburg. The early morning weather is sunny and chilly as we make our way to the edge of the Pine River where I pause to watch the gentile current as a reflection from the rising sun appears mid-stream as a flickering flame. Looking around, I notice raccoon tracks on the muddy shore and a signpost indicating an underwater natural gas pipeline across the river channel that raises the question of how a methane leak would impact the surrounding wildlife. Exploring the flood plain, I spot a variety of fresh, fall fungi, starting with Turkey Tail mushrooms. This easy-to-identify mushroom is edible but rather chewy, which is why it's mostly served as a tea or powder in capsule form. Nearby, I come upon Crown-Tipped Coral mushrooms. These can be eaten raw but are most often cooked as they can cause an upset stomach. Further ahead, I see some Orange Peel mushrooms. Contrary to what some “experts” tell us, these are not poisonous and are, in fact, edible, although they really have no taste. On a decaying stump close by, I observe tiny Maramaius mushrooms. Classified as edible, but not desirable, these mushrooms are too small and have little taste. Next, I notice some Red Jelly-spot fungi growing in the crevice of a decomposing log. Even though this “jelly” can be eaten raw, the texture is unpalatable and the taste is like soil. Then, my attention is drawn to some small, pea-size blobs growing on another rotting log. Not classified as fungi, this is a slime mold nicknamed “pink toothpaste slime” because when the blobs are punctured, a pink slime resembling toothpaste squirts out. If accidentally eaten, the slime is non-toxic. Turning around, we start working our way back to the car where I spot red berries of False Solomon Seals. This fruit is quite edible by wildlife, as are the leaves, but not so much for humans. The berries taste bitter. However, they do make good jam or jelly, but need to be cooked well with plenty of sugar added. On the other hand, true Solomon’s Seals berries (stock photo) are poisonous.  Further along the trail, I come upon a Beech Drop plant. These plants are root parasites that lack chlorophyll and possess only small, flat scales in place of leaves so they have no way to photosynthesize. It’s dependence on Beech trees is the only way this little plant can survive. It’s equipped with small root-like structures that insert into the Beech root, thus drawing out just enough nutrition to sustain itself and not harm the tree.

 

Early October

Summer falls asleep

Lady Autumn awakens

In the forest deep

Quaking Aspen leaves

Litter the shady ground

Most are pale yellow

A few, spotted brown

Beside a peaceful glade

Ferns give up their green

Nature’s handiwork

So much for me to glean

 

D. DeGraaf

September 27

With temperatures in the low 70’s, a steady south wind and overcast skies, Riley and I begin an early morning hike in Hamilton Township Cemetery, along the bank of the Bad River near the eastern edge of Gratiot County, where I first notice blossoms of Butter-and-Eggs (Toadflax)and Bluestem Goldenrod. Nearby, the bright red berries of Lily-of-the-valley catch my eye. All parts of this plant are poisonous, including the berries. If ingested, they can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and irregular heartbeats. As the wind picks up, I look down and spot a patch of Sky-blue Aster blossoms and then look up and spot a few husks of a Pignut Hickory tree. Descending the bank to the water’s edge, I’m greeted by a swarm of mosquitoes while watching the river flow ever so slow, carrying newly-fallen leaves. The Bad River starts 10 miles west of here near Ithaca, flowing northeasterly past this point. It then turns easterly for another 34 miles past the village of St Charles in Saginaw County, before emptying into the Shiawassee River within the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, southwest of Saginaw. Making my way downstream, I explore a flood plain where I notice the mottled bark on the trunk of a large Sycamore Maple tree as well as what appears to be a Green-Spored Parasol mushroom. These fungi are the cause of most mushroom poisonings in the United States. They look good, smell good and even taste good. However, only a little bit can make an adult violently ill. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and severe stomach pain that can last for more than 24 hours. Further downstream, I’m not surprised to see ubiquitous Japanese Beetles feeding on Smartweed flowers as well as Stinging Nettle leaves. Also, I come upon Poison Ivy displaying berries. Despite human’s phobia to poison ivy, its berries are a great food source for a host of wildlife. Mammals that dine on them include white-tailed deer, black bears and muskrats. Birds are especially fond of them. The waxy, white fruit is loaded with vitamins and other nutrients.  Working our way back to the car, I pause, face east and glance at an overcast sky about 20 degrees above the horizon where the sun should be at this time on today’s date which is the autumnal equinox. I pause to honor the astronomical change of seasons as the sun is positioned on the celestial equator, halfway between the summer and winter solstices (stock photo). Also, if shadows were evident today, their length would be halfway between the shortest at the summer solstice and the longest at the upcoming winter solstice (stock photo)

 

Sun of the seasons, sun of the sky

Today, we honor your place on high

Your light and heat in summer hours

Brought bountiful fruit and flowers

This is the month, this is the date

Your equinox we celebrate

Autumn is here, the time is right

Equate the length of day and night

Remind us of stability to find

Healthy balance of body and mind

 

D. DeGraaf

 

September 20

It’s early morning as my dog, Riley and I hike on a 2-track in the Maple River State Game Area, taking in the sights while listening to the sounds of crickets and Kildeers. With temperatures in the upper 60’s and a steady southwesterly breeze, we are in a section of the state game area off Croswell Rd., 10 miles south of Ithaca. At 10,000 acres, this preserve is mid-Michigan’s largest contiguous wetland complex consisting of floodplains, lowlands, and marshes along the Maple River through Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia Counties. As expected, this place is ideal fishing grounds for a variety of birds, especially raptors. Despite poor lighting, I am able to get a faint photograph of a perching Bald Eagle and Osprey. Like Bald Eagles, Ospreys were seriously endangered by effects of pesticides in mid-20th century. Since DDT and related pesticides were banned in 1972, they have made a good comeback in many parts of North America include here in mid-Michigan. Another species that is seen in abundance, fishing these waters, are Great Blue Herons, including one wading and one flying in and landing nearby. Further ahead, I spot colorful blossoms of Pennsylvania Smartweed mixed with not-as-colorful blossoms of Pale Smartweed. Other blossoms that catch my eye include, Nodding Bur Marigold and Wild Cucumber. Out on the water, I notice a Muskrat lodge as well as one of several acrobatic swallows catching insects. Along the water’s edge, I observe a clump of Arrow weed and a Button Bush with its spiny, round seed pods. Overhead, I catch a glimpse of a perching Palm Warbler. This migratory bird is likely traveling from its summer breeding grounds in the boreal forests of the far north to its wintering grounds in the southeastern US, especially Florida. Many birds were misnamed by early ornithologists and this is one. Except for the fact that it winters in warm climates, the palm warbler really has nothing at all to do with palm trees. Turning around to retrace our steps, it’s obvious that the water in this section of the marsh is covered with a dense layer of Duckweed. As the name implies, Duckweed is eaten by ducks as well as other aquatic organisms. It behaves much like a weed, multiplying rapidly, especially on water rich with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate. It is used as shelter by pond-water species such as frogs and fish. It also provides shade to reduce the light-generated growth of certain undesirable algae. Since duckweed has more protein than soybeans, it is harvested as traditional food source by people living in parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Laos.

 

Swan song of summer

Nature has her way

Swallows are swarming

Wish they could stay

Queen Anne’s Lace

Fold up their flowers

Meadow shines golden

Through daylight hours

Fungi are frequent

Berries abound

Frogs of the marsh

Surrender their sound

D. DeGraaf