December 15

The temperature is a frigid 17 degrees under cloudy skies as I start hiking through 7 inches of snow along the icy Pine River in Centennial Park in Gratiot County’s village of Sumner. Having walked here many times over the years, I found a photo from December 10, 2018, showing a milder start to that winter. Trudging along the snowy bank, I pause to notice a Red Maple tree displaying reddish-brown flower buds that form in fall and stay on the bare branches through the winter. These buds, often appearing like tiny ruby earrings, add color to the dormant landscape. Nearby, I spot a large, oblong hole in a tree trunk most likely made by a Pileated Woodpecker as an entrance to its nest. This cavity could be 1-2 feet deep and once vacated may provide much-needed shelter for other wildlife. Continuing north on the walking trail, I found a photo from August 9 of 2021 showing a dramatic seasonal contrast. Speaking of contrasts, I observe the dried, shrunken seed husks of a Golden Raintree compared to what they look like in summer (stock photo). Up ahead, I come upon the fruiting body of a Staghorn Sumac compared to what it looks like in summer (stock photo). Continuing down the trail, I come upon a familiar section of the flood plain and remember being here in the spring when Skunk Cabbage begin to sprout. Turning back toward the car, I can’t help but notice the wide open canopy in contrast to what I saw here in the summer (stock photo). Related to this, I look up to see a few dead Red Oak leaves still hanging from branches and contrast this to what this tree looks like in the summer (stock photo). Up ahead, I’m not surprised to see deer tracks in the snow but am surprised to see the tiny frozen berries of Poison Ivy. While the fruit is edible for birds, the plant remains toxic, including stems, roots, and berries. Nearing the car, I notice something I would not see in the summer when trees are leafed out, a squirrel nest. Called a “drey”, this messy-looking ball of leaves, twigs is built high in trees, usually in forks for stability. The nest is essential for protection from predators and weather, especially winter cold, with temperatures inside being 20-30 degrees warmer. Multiple squirrels may share a single nest to stay warm. Squirrels are constantly on the move, scurrying from tree to tree.  Because of that, it’s common for them to have second and third nests located near their main home. These additional nests are often used to hide from a nearby predator, to store extra food and even as a temporary rest stop throughout a day’s activity.

Outer edge of autumn

Thick clouds of gray

Who will survive?

Predator or prey

Hungry raptor

Scans the field of snow

Perhaps a bird or mouse

Waiting for one to show

Sudden swoop 

From a leafless tree

Missed the mark

Another goes free

 

D. DeGraaf

December 8

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 20’s under cloudy skies and a steady south wind as I begin hiking north from Madison Rd on 6-inches of fresh snow into Gratiot County’s Lumberjack Park. Coming to a stairway, I look down at a boardwalk spanning an ice-covered wetlands and think back to 2017 when we built steps and this boardwalk as part of a newly-created nature trail system. Following the trail, the site of the footbridge over Mud Creek brings back lots of memories. Construction of this bridge also took place in 2017 when we dragged two, 30-ft telephone poles across a neighbor’s field to span the creek and cover them with planks, milled from Oak trees in the park. Crossing the creek, I continue on the trail and note how the fresh snow creates a wonderful canvas for nature to depict distinct leaf shapes of White oak, Red oak and even Pin oak. Continuing among mature Red and White pine trees. I come to the edge of the Pine River and pause to listen to a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Arriving at a snow-covered bench high on a bank above the river, I think back to 2016 when this trail was one of the first to be established as part of the park trail system. It was that year when members of the park board asked me to help design and construct a nature trail system that included an undeveloped 20-acre parcel on the northeast side of the river. Over the years, this bench has been a favorite stop for park patrons, whether it be winter, spring, summer or fall. Looping back over the Lumberjack Rd bridge, I proceed along the south riverbank and pause to watch the water flow past snow-capped rocks. Continuing south through the Campground trail, I’m reminded that although the trail was officially opened to the public in 2018, it was not until 2019 that this section was added to the trail system. Nearing the car, I pause on the Madison Rd bridge, watch the river flow underneath me while listening to a Black-capped Chickadee. I also think about the past 9 years and all those who helped create a park-wide nature trail system that is still in use today. This history must be put in the context of the park itself. A hundred years ago this land included the last remaining stand of virgin White Pine in Gratiot County.  Slated to be cut down, a group calling themselves the Lumberjack and Rivermen Association purchased the 40-acre parcel for a park that preserved the forest. As a legacy to the” shanty boys” who once worked there, a bunkhouse and cook shanty were constructed in 1930, a pavilion in 1931 and the caretaker's house in 1947. 

Early December

Mostly leafless trees

Nature at attention

Mother Earth at ease

Beside a frozen pond

No frogs with green skin

Atop the snowy grass

No spider webs to spin

Squirrels of woodlands

Prepare for winters blast

Storing their food

Autumn breathes her last

 

D. DeGraaf

December 1

The early morning sky is clear with temperatures near freezing as I enter the Emma Burnham Outdoor Center operated by the St. Louis Public Schools. Years ago, most school districts in Gratiot County had properties like this (stock photo) where students were taught outdoor education as part of the curriculum. However, because of current academic pressures and cultural changes, these properties, including this one, are either underutilized or abandoned. Thank goodness, students in our county schools can still put away their cellphones and receive much-needed outdoor education from Forest Hill Nature Area (stock photo). Following a path south into a mature deciduous forest, I’m not surprised to see the canopy open and the ground covered with a thick layer of leaves. Looking more closely at the leaf litter, I spot mostly Red Oak leaves along with a few White Oak and Bur Oak. The dull, earthy brown color of these leaves is due to a chemical compound called Tannin which remains after the green and red pigments break down. Up ahead in the leaf litter, I notice a single Sugar Maple leaf and a few Beech leaves among the oaks. Nearby, random observations of leaf litter, include a single Quaking Aspen Leaf, fresh Raccoon scat and a green Buckthorn leaf retaining its chlorophyll. Continuing to walk through the leaf litter, I’m reminded how these leaves decompose, returning essential elements to the soil. This litter creates a critical microhabitat and provides insulation for a wide array of wildlife during the winter months. Also, leaf litter offers shelter and camouflage for small mammals and a variety of ground-foraging birds. Insects and other invertebrates that live within the leaf litter serve as a crucial food source for birds, especially during the winter months. Leaf litter acts as a natural mulch, which helps the soil retain moisture by reducing evaporation and moderating soil temperature extremes. Shuffling through the leaves, I’m reminded how they form a protective cover that absorbs the impact of rain, prevents soil compaction and erosion, allowing rainwater to filter into the ground. Looping around on an earthen trail, I observe a tree trunk with an 18-inch growth called a Burl. Burl wood is highly sought after by furniture makers for its unique beauty (stock photo). Further along, I come upon a decaying log covered with Turkey Tail mushrooms. One of the active ingredients in this fungus is a polysaccharide-PSK, an approved cancer therapy in Japan for conditions like gastric, colon and lung cancers.

Dawn of December

Pulse of nature slows

Decaying leaf litter 

Covered by early snows

Down earthen tunnels

Retreat meadow mice

Over the vacant pond

Brittle layer of ice

Creature sounds are few

No buzzing of bees

Only a Chickadees call

Heard among the trees

 

D. DeGraaf

November 24

The early afternoon temperatures are in the mid 40’s under partly sunny skies and a west wind as I begin my hike in Alma’s Conservation Park. Following an earthen path, I notice the leaf litter and then pause to scan a wooded area displaying tree trunks of a variety of colors, textures and sizes. Leaving the area, my attention is drawn to a partially decomposed carcass of a female Whitetail deer. A closer look reveals the presence of a Common Green Bottle fly. These flies, found almost everywhere in the world, are attracted to unsanitary and moist environments, such as feces, garbage, and carcasses like this. Not visible on this video are hundreds of ½ -inch larvae (stock photo) crawling and feeding on the decaying organic matter. Proceeding through a wide power line easement, I see a recent mowing has cut down much of the vegetation. Years ago, the City of Alma and the power company established a native prairie grassland on this land. Once established, annual mowing helps warm season grasses and prairie wildflowers to thrive while curbing the overgrowth of cool season grasses and woody plants. Heading along the south boundary, I spot a Common Privet shrub displaying a few of its dark berries. While birds can eat the berries, they offer low nutritional value and are considered harmful to humans, dogs, cats and livestock. Far ahead, I easily spot a black squirrel (Melanistic morph of a gray squirrel) scurrying up a tree. On the other hand, the Common Gray squirrels in the park are harder to spot because their fur blends into the bark of many trees (stock photo). Despite a lack of camouflage, the black squirrel population is growing in the county. One reason is their black fur helps them absorb more heat, a key advantage in colder climates. Also, in modern, urban environments, some researchers theorize they might be more visible and thus less likely to be hit by cars. While walking along the Pine River bank, I pause to observe the lake-like impoundment whose water is significantly polluted due to a combination of agricultural runoff and contamination from local industrial sites. The nearby dam creates a slower-moving, warm body of water that is highly susceptible to nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff. This causes excessive aquatic plant growth and frequent algae blooms, which deplete the water of dissolved oxygen and harm aquatic life. Like other parts of the Pine River, the impoundment shows dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria, making it unsafe for recreational activities like fishing, swimming and even boating.

Coyote of the night

Moon won’t stay

The hunt was hard

Your hunger obey

Picked up a scent

Options to weigh

The kill was quick

Devoured your prey

Found your den

Without delay

Creature of the wild

Another day

 

D. DeGraaf

November 17

The early afternoon sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I begin my hike in Mt. Pleasant’s Chipp-a-waters Park. While looking at and listening to the flowing water of the Chippewa River, my attention is drawn to a Muskrat swimming near shore. Proceeding along a paved pathway, I notice Goldenrod and Burdock are seeding out. Up ahead, I come upon the white seeds of a Clematis vine (Old Man’s Beard). This plant produces small, creamy-white flowers (stock photo) in late summer. After the flowers fade, each developing seed retains a long, feathery appendage that group together in clusters creating the distinctive "beard" appearance on the vine. This common name, along with another, "Traveler’s Joy" (because it lines hedgerows and brings joy to weary travelers), has been in use for centuries. Up ahead, I spot the dark berries of Buckthorn and the red hips of Wild Rose. Looking out at the river, I spot two pair of Mallards feeding and a log covered with what-appears-to-be Oyster mushrooms. Back on land, my attention is drawn to a fresh Beaver gnaw and an abandoned Robin’s nest in a Buckthorn tree. Following the path into a woodland, I stop and face the massive trunk of a huge Cottonwood tree. According to the description on a trail sign, the tree is one of the largest in the state, at 71 inches in diameter and 220 inches in circumference (3 adults, hand-in-hand). Still exploring the woodland, I note the canopy is open except for some lingering oak leaves while the dense leaf litter shows maple and oak. A shrub that still displays green leaves is Winterberry with its bright red fruit. Turning around, I leave the woodland where I observe the highly textured bark of a small River Birch tree. Crossing over the Brandell Bridge, I pause to watch the water of the Chippewa River flow under me. This river originates about 25 miles from here in the village of Barryton. It flows SE through Lake Isabella, as well as some county parks and CWC preserves before reaching this point. Hiking to the entrance of Veits Woods, I pause to notice the cone-shaped red berry clusters of Staghorn Sumac. Turning around and heading back toward the car, my ears perk up to the sound of a Red-bellied Woodpecker (stock photo). Looking up high on a tall, leafless Cottonwood tree, I spot a golf-ball size Twig Gall. Nearby, hanging from a tree are vines of Multiflora rose with their red hips and Virginia Creeper with their purple berries. These berries, that look a lot like edible, Wild Grapes, are toxic to humans and pets, but not birds.

Woods of November

Season of the gun

Whitetail of the wild

You’re on the run

Scent of humans

Flurries of snow

Whitetail of the wild

Time to lie low

Creature of nature

One of the best

Whitetail of the wild

No time to rest

 

D. DeGraaf

November 10

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 50’s under mostly sunny skies and a stiff west wind as I begin hiking at Forest Hill Nature Area. Right away, I notice a few Dark-eyed Juncos flying low among some trees and spot one as it perches briefly on a branch. These “snowbirds” arrive in Michigan in late September to early October, often as one of the first signs of approaching winter. Migrating from their summer breeding grounds in Canada, Michigan serves as their "south" where they overwinter. Heading west through fields of amber-colored Switch Grass, I look up to notice a few green, Sweet Crab apples still hanging on the tree. This native species is found throughout the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  Nearby, I begin exploring what once was the bottom of a marsh called Sora Swale, now dried up due to a long-term drought. First, I come upon a few 1/2 -inch Marsh Ramshorn snail shells as well as a 1-inch Wooly Bear Caterpillar. Folklore suggests that the width of the middle brown band of this caterpillar can predict the severity of the coming winter. However, scientific evidence has debunked this, as the band width is actually influenced by the caterpillar's age, diet, and moisture levels. Still, looking around this dried up marsh, I observe white, snow-like patches that are actually dried fruiting bodies of slime mold. Entering South Woods, I come American Witch Hazel trees in bloom. The flowers are small, fragrant, and bright yellow with four distinctive, crinkly, ribbon-shaped petals. This species is unique among many flowering plants because it blooms from October through December. Near the exit to South Woods, I notice an 8-inch diameter Puffball mushroom. At this early stage, the fungus is white, firm and quite edible. Up ahead, I spot some Thin-walled Maze Polypore fungi growing on a decaying tree trunk. This is a tough, inedible bracket fungus with a maze-like pore surface on its underside that turns pinkish or reddish when bruised. Walking along, I see a few dragonflies fluttering about. However, tracking one that landed on a Basswood leaf, I’m not surprised it’s an Autumn Meadowhawk. As its name suggests, this species is known for being cold-hardy and remains active into November and December. Heading back toward the car, I look up to see an 8-inch diameter Bald-faced hornet nest attached to tree branches. The nest is constructed from a paper-like material the hornets create by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with their saliva. By now the workers and drones have died off, the nest is vacant and will not be reused. 

November winds rise

Air temperatures fall

Leafless shrubs short

Naked Aspens tall

Aster flowers close

Canopy opens wide

Chickadees are seen

Frogs and toads hide

Maple leaves descend

Oak’s cling and hang

Mother Earth in balance

Nature’s Yin and Yang

 

D. DeGraaf

November 3

The early afternoon temperatures are in the mid 50’s under sunny skies and a stiff east breeze as I begin my hike east through the Runway Disc Golf course toward the Pine River. Walking down one of the fairways, I notice the leaf litter consists mostly of large heart-shaped leaves from a Catalpa tree. Looking up, I’m not surprised to see one of the trees displaying several of its foot-long seed pods dangling from its branches.  Up ahead, I come upon a loose flock of small birds, where I spot one of them perching- a Yellow-rumped Warbler displaying its muted fall plumage. These birds are often the first warblers to arrive in Michigan and one of the last to leave in the fall. Their name refers to a bright yellow rump patch that also refers to their nickname, "butterbutt" (stock photo). Nearby, I stoop, pick a Motherwort leaf and take in a pleasing aroma, though not particularly minty. While most sources suggest an unpleasant scent, a few descriptions do note a "peculiar, aromatic or pleasant fragrance”. Finally, I reach an extensive backwater section of the Pine River. While these wetlands are not part of the main river channel, they are an essential part of the riparian ecosystem. Hiking along the bank, I pause to watch the afternoon sunshine reflect off the water surface. Looking around, the bright red fruit of a Japanese Barberry shrub catch my eye. This plant, native to Japan was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant. The berries are edible but extremely tart and bitter. They are more palatable when cooked and used as a flavoring for jams, jellies and teas. Working my way back toward the car, I spot an unusual situation where a Prickly Wild rose shrub with its large red hips (on the left) is growing next to a Multiflora rose shrub with its small red hips (on the right). One difference is that the Prickly rose is native while the Multiflora rose is an invasive non-native.  Both types of hips are edible and rich in vitamin C, though they contain small, hairy seeds that can cause digestive irritation. Along the way, I spot a Pear-leaved Crab Apple tree loaded with fruit. This tree is native to East Asia and northern China. While the apples are edible for humans, they are too tart to eat raw, making them best for use in jams, jellies or cider.  They are also a valuable food source for deer and small mammals, especially in late fall and winter when other food is scarce. Near the car, I pause to watch a tiny Sweat Bee feeding on a Bull Thistle blossom, realizing this maybe my final time witnessing such an event this season as both blossoms and adult insects will soon die off.

Gone from the fields

Luster of gold

Warmth of summer

Turning cold

Gone are redwings

That ruled the marsh

Winds of November

Blow stiff and harsh

Gone is the green

Of leaves and vines

Nature in autumn

Seasonal signs

 

D. DeGraaf