October 16

Awaiting another encounter with Corbin Creek, I’m hiking in a section of the Maple River State Game Area, west of US 127 in Gratiot County. The early morning temperatures are in the mid 40’s, under mostly cloudy skies as I watch some Wood ducks take off from these expansive wetlands. Looking eastward, I’m awed by a murmuration of black birds (stock photo), an aerial ballet of hundreds of Red-wing Blackbirds, perhaps along with Starlings, Cowbirds and Grackles, flying in mass, but seemingly with one mind. These birds flock together because, primarily, there is safety in numbers. Predators, such as owls and hawks, are frequently befuddled and overwhelmed by such a whirling mass of birds. In the weeks ahead, these blackbirds will begin migrating south for the winter. Soon, I watch part of the flock land in a nearby leafless tree where I look and listen to a single bird. Continuing eastward, I spot blossoms of Water Smartweed and Hedge Mustard. Glancing afar, I notice the traffic on US 127, about ¾ of a mile away while just off the trail, I observe a Velvetleaf plant with its ornate, dried seed pods. Each pod of this highly invasive cropland plant contains 5-15 flattened seeds, a favorite food of the Deer Mouse. Turning around to retrace my steps, I scan the water surface to see the swarming of dozens tiny black insects, similar to the murmuration of black birds. Looking more closely, I see they are Whirligigs, 1/8 inch aquatic beetles that swim fast and are almost always in motion. These insects have eyes that are completely separated into two portions. The lower portion views the underwater environment, while the upper portion surveys the aerial environment. Adults are primarily scavengers, quickly pouncing on live or dead insects that land on the water surface. They may also detect prey using echolocation, waves produced by their swimming motion. Further along, I look skyward to hear the familiar calls of Killdeer birds and look at my feet to see a two-inch, edible Meadow Mushroom. Nearing the car, I stoop down and notice the stem of a Swamp Milkweed, covered by my dozens of 2-mm orange, Oleander Aphids, feeding on the sap. Sometimes called a Milkweed Aphid, this insect (stock photo) ingests sap from the phloem of its host plant. The damage caused by these colonies is mainly aesthetic due to the large amounts of sticky honeydew produced and the resulting black sooty mold that grows on the honeydew. Though native to the Mediterranean region, this aphid is an invasive pest species throughout much of the world.

Treading neath trees

Near to clinging leaves

Few to be found

Most blanket the ground

Quilt of many colors

Yellow, red and others

Bare branches debut

Sky of azure blue

Autumn surrounds 

Nature abounds

 

D. DeGraaf

 

October 9

The early morning sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the high 50’s as I watch the water of Corbin Creek flow south under Church Rd. Proceeding downstream as the current increases, I come across the dainty white blossoms of Purple-leaf Willowherb and the cattail-like leaves of Sweet Flag. Trudging back to the road, I spot some white berries of Gray Dogwood and red berries of Maple-leaf Viburnum. Back on the road, I look north where the creek is partially choked with a leafy green plant, called Watercress. Cultivated from a wild plant in Europe, Watercress was introduced to America in the 18th century and became commercially popular in the late 20th century. This plant is a member of the mustard family which includes many well-known leafy and tuberous vegetables such as collard greens, kale, turnips, and radishes, as well as problematic weeds such as garlic mustard. It is widely cultivated and is the same Watercress commonly used as a salad green. It is also used as a garnish for meats and other dishes where a peppery or pungent flavor is desired. Ducks, muskrats, and deer eat the leaves of watercress while the plant also serves as shelter for small aquatic life. Along the bank, I notice both Swamp Milkweed and Joe-Pye-Weed are seeding out. Nearby, I spot some blossoms of invasive Crown Vetch and some leaves on a Red Oak tree beginning to turn colors. Walking west along the road toward the car, my ears perk up to the call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker.  Looking up, I see the bird pecking away on a Birch tree trunk. Oddly enough, this bird is named for its least distinctive feature, a light wash of red or pink on its belly that can only be seen if the bird is hanging upside-down. One of the most common mistakes when identifying this bird is calling it a Red-headed Woodpecker (stock photo).  While feeding, a Red-bellied Woodpecker can stick out its tongue nearly two inches past the end of its beak. The tip is barbed and the bird’s spit is sticky, making it easier to snatch prey from deep crevices. Near the car, I come upon a Maple tree trunk with unsightly seepage of sap, called Slime flux or Wet wood. This disease is caused by common surface-inhabiting bacteria or yeast fungi that enter the trunk through a wound. The bacteria and yeast may live on sap nutrients within injured trees for many years without any outward evidence. It is normally not a serious disease. However, a tree with a chronic case may decline in general vigor.

 

Watercourse of nature

Flow, creek, flow

Your journey ahead

I wish to know

Take me along

Your beauty to show

Riding your current

Fast or slow

Beams from the sun

Glisten and glow

Gifts from the clouds

Rain and snow

 

D. DeGraaf

October 2

With rain clouds overhead and temperatures in the high 50’s, I’m standing on Lake Montcalm Rd looking south at 10-acre, Twin Lake, an impoundment likely from Corbin Creek being dammed downstream from here. At my feet, I observe the underside (plastron) of a 6-inch long turtle of unknown species. Turtles are reptiles and like all reptiles, they have scales. The scales on their shell are specialized plates called scutes (pronounced “scoots”). When the turtle grows, the plates shed or peel way and the new ones that grow underneath are larger than the old ones (stock photo). This process is similar to a snake shedding its skin. Turning around and facing north, as a few drops of rain begin to fall, I notice a 2-acre pond, filled by water from eastward flowing Corbin Creek. Looking more closely, I see a gathering of Mallards along with a few Northern Pintails, swimming along the far shore. Walking west on Lake Montcalm Rd, in search of another creek access, I notice some of the, not-often-seen, large, deeply-lobed leaves of Summer Grape have turned yellow. The smaller, heart-shaped leaves of Wild Grape (stock photo) are much more commonly seen in this area while the fruit of both varieties are edible. Leaving the road with a map in hand, I trudge north through dense underbrush, searching for the creek channel. After a brief, arduous hike, I return to the road, continue west until I find suitable terrain to proceed toward the creek. Turning north again into dense vegetation, I spot the red fruit of Autumn Olive and the dark blue fruit of Nannyberry. After slogging through wetlands for 20 minutes, past cattails and ferns, I finally reach the edge of a narrow, gently flowing Corbin Creek, where I pause to look and listen. Making my way along the bank, I come upon the bead-like, spore stalk of a Sensitive fern. These fertile fronds turn brownish black at maturity and persist through winter, releasing spores the following year. This fern (stock photo) gets its common name from its intolerance for cold, the sterile fronds dying at the first frost. Nearby, I notice purple blossoms of Closed Bottle Gentian, among the colorful leaf litter. Only strong bees can force the pedals open in order to get at the nectar and deposit pollen. Roots and leaves of this plant are bitter tasting to mammals and other herbivores, so they usually are not a food source. White-tailed deer are one of the few animals that may eat the tender tops before they have a chance to flower. 

 

Current babbles

Wood ducks squeak

Cicadas whine

Edge of the creek

Autumn aromas

My senses seek

Alone with nature

Edge of the creek

No human ruckus

No words to speak

Mum in the marsh

Edge of the creek

 

D. DeGraaf

September 25

It’s late morning as I watch the glistening water of 10 ft.-wide, Corbin Creek flow east through a culvert under Douglas Rd, in northeastern Montcalm County. Under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s, I continue my exploration of this watercourse, upstream to its source. While observing the lush creek bank, I’m surprised to hear the sound of a Spring Peeper. Usually, a chorus of these tiny amphibians (stock photo) emanate from the wetlands in early spring. However, if similar conditions occur in the fall, like short days, cool temperatures and moderate rainfall, a sporadic peep can be heard. Leaving the road, I follow the creek bank where I spot the yellow blossoms of Beggar’s-ticks and the orange blossoms of Jewelweed. Jewelweed contains chemical compounds that counteract the itchy, blistered rash that often occurs from contact with Poison Ivy. Applying sap from this plant immediately after contact can help stop the rash. Up ahead, I pause to look for and listen to a few Sandhill Cranes flying overhead. In mid/late October to late November these large, colorful birds will migrate to Texas, New Mexico, Mexico and Arizona. Trudging through the pathless, floodplain, I come upon a ½ inch, perching Crane Fly.  During their two-week life span they don’t eat. Adults mate on plants or in the air near the water. Afterwards, the female deposits her eggs. When mating and egg distribution is complete, both the male and female die. The larval stage (stock photo) can last anywhere from a few weeks to one year. During this time, larvae are important for recycling and decomposition – they eat leaves, plants and small bits of organic material in the soil or water bodies. Next, I walk a short distance south to another section of the creek where the bright red leaves of Virginia Creeper are on display. Likewise, I notice the bright red fruit of Winterberry and Highbush cranberry. Highbush cranberry is actually not a cranberry at all, though its fruit strongly resembles true lowbush cranberries (stock photo) in both appearance and taste. They also mature in the fall, as cranberries do. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, and like cranberries, they are rich in vitamin C and so have a tart, acid taste. They are an excellent substitute for cranberries and are likewise used in preserves, jams, jellies and sauces. Making my way, along the road back to the car, I spot a single blossom of Sow Thistle and several blossoms of Sky-blue Aster. Near the car, I pause at the clearing to enjoy the music of an Orthopteran chorus of grasshoppers, crickets and katydids.

I welcome these days

When the Egret flies thru

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

Greetings autumn!

Glad you’re here

 

D. DeGraaf

September 18

From its source, one mile due east of Montcalm County’s village of Vestaburg, Corbin Creek meanders southeast about four miles where it spills into the Pine River, just southwest of Gratiot County’s village of Elm Hall. For the next month or so, I plan to track this watercourse, upstream from its mouth to its source, observing wildlife along the way.This morning, with temperatures in the mid 50’s under mostly cloudy skies, I join landowner, Jerry Baker for a hike along the creek, downstream toward the mouth. Right away, I notice the creek bed and banks contain abundant sand, gravel and huge boulders. These geological features can be traced back to Michigan’s last ice age, some 10,000 years ago. As massive glaciers moved, they leveled off hills, filled in valleys, gouged out lakes and changed the existing surface by grinding, eroding and depositing. On the far bank, I spot an invasive European Marsh Thistle. These tall thistles were first recorded in Michigan in 1934 and by 1956 were considered common in the Upper Peninsula. By 1959, this thistle species spread to the Lower Peninsula.  Nearby, I spot a bunch of ripening fruit on a Nannyberry shrub. Nanny goats apparently feed on the ripe berries, hence the common name. The ripe fruit is edible and may be eaten off the bush or used in tea, jams and jellies. Sometimes called sweet viburnum, the taste is somewhere between a prune and a banana. Continuing downstream, I first spot a small Musclewood tree trunk with its sinewy texture and then a pile of Wild Turkey feathers, likely left behind by a predator, such as a Great Horned owl. Following the flowing water, I pause to notice blossoms of White Snakeroot and Common Beggar-ticks. Fungi that catch my eye, include Toothed Crust on a decayed log in the flood plain and Milk- Cap mushrooms on a decayed log, out in the water. This mushroom’s name is in reference to the milky latex that is exuded from the gills when they are cut or torn. Milk-cap mushrooms form important associations with various tree species and are valuable to wildlife. Perhaps the most exciting feature of these mushrooms is that some are edible. After trudging through the floodplain and not finding where the creek flows into the Pine River, we turn around and retrace out steps back to the house. Later on, I drive east and make my way onto a two-track, south along the Pine River (stock photo) where I find, what I think is, the confluence, which is merely a subtle stream of creek water flowing slowly through small openings in dense vegetation on the river’s edge.

Outer edge of summer

Nature’s colors revealed

Purple aster blossoms

Dot the golden field

Maples of the forest edge

Those in between

Still hold some leaves

Still show some green

Rose hips of red

Berries of blue and white

Thistle for the finch

New season in sight

 

D. DeGraaf

September 11

The morning is mostly sunny, warm and humid with a slight southerly breeze as our daughter, Allison and dog, Riley join me on a hike at Forest Hill Nature Area. Along the edge of North Trail, I notice several seed heads of Queen Anne’s Lace have folded up into cup-like shapes, comparable to birds’ nests. Nearby, I open up one of these seed heads to reveal a ½-inch, spotted, Carrot Seed Moth caterpillar.  The caterpillar feeds on the seeds, spins a web and hibernates, sometimes for two years. After pupation, the adult moth emerges (stock photo). Passing through Pollinator Meadow, yellowed with Goldenrod, I spot a ¼-inch Asian Lady beetle on a Wild Grape leaf and then, open up another seed head to reveal a ¼-inch Ground beetle. Following the trail into the shade of North Woods, the song of an Eastern Wood Pee-wee gets my attention. Up ahead, we come upon a pile of fresh feathers and bones of an Eastern Screech owl (stock photo), indicating a predator-prey confrontation. Even a bird-of-prey like this owl has predators, including other owls and small mammals. Exiting North Woods, we begin circling Succession Field where I come upon a 1-inch Pearl Crescent butterfly perched on a blossom of Queen Anne’s Lace and a ¼-inch Shining Flower beetle, crawling on a nearby seed head. In fall, larvae fall from the plant and tunnel into the soil, where they spend the winter. Before turning into South Woods, we pass through Birch Row where I observe a patch of Small-flower Asters, a sign of the upcoming season. Along the trail through South Woods, I notice a 4-inch cap of an Amanita mushroom and a cluster of Jack-in-the-Pulpit fruit. Exiting South Woods, we head for Willow Wallow where I observe a ¼-inch Spined Soldier Bug nymph crawling on another seed head of Queen Anne’s Lace. The adult bug (stock photo) is a predatory stink bug that is sometimes found in cotton and soybean fields. After pausing on the new deck to scan Willow Wallow, we climb to the top of Reflection Hill where I observe a Monarch butterfly feeding on a blossom of Red clover. After a brief glance at Grebe Pond, we descend the hill where I come across a patch of Wild Grape leaves being eaten by several Japanese beetles. Circling past Brady Cemetery into Native Grassland, we walk along the edge of Grebe Pond where I spot several Canada Geese swimming close to the far shore. Finally, we complete the circuit, back to the car for our trip home.

Summer’s waning

Birds vacate the nest

Some heading south

Food aplenty for the rest

Meadow changing colors

Asters reveal their flowers

Wetlands are drying up

Awaiting autumn showers

Leaves lose their hold

Forest floor strewn

Nature giving hints

Fall is coming soon

 

D. DeGraaf

September 4

The early morning is mostly sunny, breezy with temperatures in the mid 50’s, as Caroline, Riley and I stroll along a Lake Michigan beach near Whitehall, Michigan. Exploring the sandy shoreline, I notice Herring Gull tracks as well as two kinds of their feathers. One tiny shell that catches my eye is a ½ inch Ramshorn snail. These snails are hermaphroditic, meaning that each individual functions as both female and male, and a pair of mating snails typically fertilize each other, with both individuals laying eggs afterward. They typically lay gelatinous masses of eggs underwater on the surfaces of plants or rocks. Nearby, I come upon another tiny shell, a ½ inch Zebra mussel. For the past three and a half decades, zebra and quagga mussels have fundamentally altered the ecology and hijacked the food web of the Great Lakes. These small mollusks are literally sucking the life out of the lakes by filtering out the food that many fish and other aquatic organisms need to survive. They also transform the habitat, light environment, and chemical composition of the lakes. Further along, I spot a ¼ inch vertebrae bone, likely from a small fish such as Lake Perch or Bluegill. As the waves break near shore, I observe several small, mysterious holes in the sand. When a wave breaks, it pushes foamy water up the beach. Some of this water flows back, but some of the water sinks down into the sand. As the water sinks, it forces the air between the sand particles back up, creating theses holes. After taking one last look at this amazing, massive body of freshwater, I move over to the foredune where I see two type of grasses that help with beach erosion-American Beachgrass and Sand Reed grass. Continuing into the back dune, I notice a Monarch Butterfly on an Aspen leaf, blossoms of Evening Primrose and a Bumblebee feeding on one of hundreds of blossoming Horsemints (Spotted Beebalm). On my way back to the car, I spot an American Painted Lady caterpillar crawling on blossoms of Pearly Everlasting, one of its favorite host plants. The caterpillar uses its silk to create a nest out of leaves, usually at the top of the plant (stock photo). This serves as both a shelter and restaurant, where it nibbles away at the leaves caught inside. During the day, the caterpillar remains hidden inside, and it comes out on cloudy days and at night for more feeding. Adult butterflies (stock photo) can’t survive the cold winters in northern states. Generally speaking, in the spring they migrate north and in the fall they migrate south..

 

Great Michigan Lake

On shore I stand

Liquid for the living

From horizon to sand

Great Michigan Lake

Too much neglect

Precious freshwater

Conserve and protect

Great Michigan Lake

Gift from the earth

Future increases

Its value and worth

 

D. DeGraaf