July 27

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was in Muskegon attending my wife’s 45th high school reunion while Remi remained in Alma. Today, we planned to hike a scenic trail at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park just south of Muskegon on Lake Michigan. The early morning temperature was partly sunny with a temperature of 63 degrees and a stiff westerly wind. Before starting out, we explored a small butterfly garden near the visitor’s center where I spotted Butterfly weed and Jerusalem artichoke. We headed west toward the lake through a mature beech-maple forest where I noticed some fresh bracket fungi growing on logs. Next, we came to a fork and chose the path to Lake Michigan rather than the steep dune climb stairway. Along the way, I spotted several Canadian Hemlock trees mixed in with the broad leaf trees. As we got closer to the lake, I began to see Sassafras trees. So, I picked a leaf from one of them and crushed it to smell it’s citrusy aroma. Also, I spotted a large tree trunk with several patches of lichens growing on it. Continuing on the trail to the lakeshore, we were greeted by the sound of wind and waves. Hiking through the fore-dune, I noticed a few blossoms of Evening Primrose as well as an unknown set of mammal tracks in the sand. Near the water’s edge on the beach were lots of seagull tracks and feathers. Just ahead, I spotted a gull feeding on something. As I approached the bird, it took off so I could see that it was a fish carcass it was feeding on. We turned around and headed back where I noticed how the dune sand had migrated into the edge of the woods and covered the bases some trees. As these trees die, the dune will grow larger and the forest will get smaller. Continuing back toward the car, I saw a Daddy-longlegs resting on a Beech leaf. These arachnids are not true spiders and eat decomposing vegetative and animal matter. They do not have venom glands or fangs. Therefore, they are not poisonous to humans. Back at the car, I looked up and noticed the Beech tree above us was loaded with Beechnuts which are a favorite food of the many squirrels that live here. Finally, we left the park and headed back to the hotel.

Here I am at Michigan Lake
Hiking a trail for nature’s sake
Displays of beauty, I’m attune
Through a woods, over a dune
Tall trees, mountains of sand
Place where water meets land
Beautiful beach where I stroll
Loud sounds of waves that roll
Terns and gulls I’m looking for
Walking along a scenic shore

D. DeGraaf

July 21

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was returning from a week on Beaver Island and Remi remained in the kennel. So, Sunday we were glad to be back to hike familiar trails. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 59 degrees and no wind. At the crest of the hill, I walked over by the weather station where I picked a blossom of Hedge Bindweed to smell its pleasing fragrance.  While I descended the hill, Max sang to me from his usual tree perch. On both sides of the trail, I noticed some Milkweed plants were beginning to sprout seedpods. Since they’re edible when 1-2 inches long, I picked a few and enjoyed eating them. While looking unsuccessfully for Monarch Caterpillars on Milkweed leaves, I spotted a Japanese beetle and a Milkweed beetle. Next to Mallard Marsh, I saw a lovely Blue Vervain plant. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I was very excited to see two male and one female Bobolink perching on a bush. It’s hard to believe they would be nesting here this late in the breeding season. Heading toward North Woods, I noticed lots of Queen Anne’s lace dotting the field with white. At the entrance to the woods, I spotted a single Purple Loosestrife plant. Since this plant is extremely invasive in wetlands, I will have to destroy it soon.  I turned south, walked to Willow Wallow and turned west into Succession Field where I thought I had a rare sighting of a Monarch Butterfly. However, after it landed and spread its wings, I noticed the black band along the hind wing that indicated it was the Monarch mimic, called a Viceroy. Circling the field, I saw an abundance of flower or bunch galls on Goldenrod along with a few Curled dock plants. I turned south, passed Sora Swale and followed south trail to Frog Fen, turned south again toward Brady Cemetery where I spotted some Chicory flowers. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland that displayed a variety of wildflowers including Purple Cone Flower and Alfalfa. Also, bees were busy pollinating as I saw a Bumblebee on Bergamot and a Honeybee on Mountain Mint.  I paused at weed-choked Grebe Pond in time to see a Green Heron flying over giving off its distinctive shriek. Following the edge of the pond toward the barn, I counted a few dozen Tree Swallow fledglings sitting on the power lines to the east. Arriving at the barn, I circled around to the east side where I saw flowers of Catnip and Burdock. Finally, we made it to the car for our trip home.

It came from a crane

Captured by a cloud

It came from a cardinal

Clinging to a conifer

It came from a cricket

Crawling in a crevice

From a chorus of crows

In a green colored canopy

Constant companions

Cosmic connections

Calls of creatures

Calls of the wild

Calling me home

D. DeGraaf

July 14

 Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was traveling to our rental cottage on Beaver Island and Remi was at the kennel in Alma. So, I waited until Sunday and planned a beach walk south from our place. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 60 degrees and a slight southerly breeze. Starting out, I was pleased to listen to waves gently lapping on the shore. Soon, I start spotting blossoms in the foredune including Huron Tansy and Yarrow. Also, I noticed that most of the blossoms of Bladder Campion were closed already since they open at night. Suddenly, I noticed a tiny toad hopping along the beach as its color blended perfectly with the sand (can you find it?). Continuing south, I saw Silverweed and Evening Primrose blossoms while nearly stepping on a gull carcass. Up on the bank below one of the cottages, I observed a patch of the invasive Crown Vetch. Nearby were some deer tracks along with a deer carcass. Looking up, I paused to watch a solitary gull flying south. Following the foredune again, I spotted a clump of Marsh Bedstraw and lovely Forget-me-nots. Nearing my turn-around point, I noticed a few clumps of Stonecrop. As I turned around and headed back, I spotted a single Swamp Thistle plant. Also, I noticed a tiny Ladybird Beetle. Suddenly, a few feet in front of me, a three-foot Water Snake began crawling quickly toward cover. Next, I saw some Beach Pea and Heal All blossoms. Approaching my destination, I admired a gull feather lying on the sand surrounded by plenty of Zebra Mussel shells. Finally, I made it back to our cottage just in time for morning coffee.

Mother Nature joins me today

On a beautiful island far away

Walking barefoot on the sand

Hearing waves as they land

Seagulls searching for a meal

Gentle breeze is good to feel

Colorful rocks catch my eye

A few butterflies flutter by

Driftwood scattered about

Flowers spotted throughout

Deer tracks on the ground

Mussel shells are all around

Love to walk along the shore

Much to observe and explore

D. DeGraaf

July 6

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 70 degrees and no wind. At the crest of the hill, I looked west at a landscape dominated by lush, green vegetation. Descending the hill, I saw lots of Milkweed plants and was puzzled that I still haven’t seen any Monarch caterpillars or butterflies. Many of the plants still had green clusters of flower buds called umbels. These buds first appear in early summer and can be harvested for about seven weeks. I picked one of them and ate it. It had a mild leafy taste. The flowers themselves were quite fragrant and were used by Native Americans to make jam. Next, I passed Mallard Marsh and entered Bobolink Meadow where I stopped and broke off a Milkweed leaf to reveal the white “milky” sap that gives this plant its name. It contains 1-2% latex and scientists during World War II tried to create rubber from it, but concentrations of latex were too small. Because this “milk” is sticky, it’s a defense mechanism for the plant as some insects will get their mandibles stuck when feeding on the leaves. Monarch caterpillars, on the other hand have developed methods of draining the sap before they consume the leaf. Continuing through the meadow, I counted a dozen Redwings-male and female, young and old, moving about and another dozen perched in some tall trees on the edge of North Woods causing quite a commotion. Next, I turned south and headed toward Willow Wallow where I spotted another type of Milkweed called the Swamp Milkweed. Like Indian hemp, the stem of this plant becomes very fibrous in the fall and makes excellent cordage. I turned west at the pond and hiked around Succession Field where I saw a lovely Little Wood Satyr butterfly sunning itself. I turned south past Artist Overlook where I could not see but could hear the mimicking song of a Catbird. Following south trail, I spotted an unusually large flower gall on a small Ash tree caused by Eriophyid mites. Heading east toward Frog Fen, I came upon a patch of Canadian Thistle. Turning south, I walked past Brady Cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where I could smell the sweet aroma of White Sweet Clover. I paused at a desolate Grebe Pond and was puzzled by how few Green and Blue Herons I’ve seen here compared to last year. Continuing around the pond, I noticed more Milkweed on both sides of the trail. I broke off another leaf, touched the white sap and remembered that it also contains a Cardenolide toxin that is lethal to many herbivores except Monarch caterpillars. Also, the larva and the adult butterfly sequester this chemical in their tissue, making them toxic to many potential predators. This sap can also cause mild dermatitis in some people and acute chemical burning of the eyes resulting in temporary blindness. Finally, we made it past the barn and classroom to the car for our trip home.

Why do I walk an earthen trail?
Weekly hikes come rain or shine
Why do I get up early and go
Start before the stroke of nine
What brings me to this spot?
With meadow, pond and hill
Why do I always return?
There’s a need I can fulfill
My spirit connects to nature
My feelings for her are strong
I found somewhere special
A place where I truly belong

D. DeGraaf

June 29

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 64 degrees and a light northerly breeze. Today, I first planned to repeat the Reflection Hill activity where I hike the circular trail and pause as I face each direction to take in sights, sounds and scents. Passing the classroom, I followed the trail toward the hill where I noticed clusters of small green fruit beginning to form on Wild Grape vines. Climbing the hill, I was pleased to view newly formed Milkweed blossoms and take in their sweet aroma. Looking north, Mallard Marsh was totally hidden by lush cattail growth. Several Redwings including males, females and fledglings were seen flying around. Continuing counterclockwise on the trail, I spotted a Ctenucha Moth resting on a milkweed leaf. Also, I saw that the Timothy grass seed heads were flowering. I paused and gazed west at Artist Overlook and South Woods. Along the trail’s edge were a few Yarrow plants with their white blossoms and fragrant leaves. Following the path, I spotted a few yellow blossoms of both Common Buttercup and Rough-fruited Cinquefoil. I paused again, faced south and looked down at Frog Fen where I heard the shrieking call of a Green Heron. Proceeding around the hilltop, I looked east at a weed-covered Grebe Pond where I saw a family of diving Grebes, three families of Canada Geese with goslings and a pair of Mallards. I sat on a bench and tried to imagine what this land looked like back in 1856 when it was first purchased from the federal government by Mr. and Mrs. Henry of Eaton County, Michigan. A few years latter, it was purchased by Joseph and Martha Brady from Ohio. They raised seven children on a farm ½ mile east of the nature area property on Adams Road. On the northeast corner of Adams and Rich Roads was the Brady School. Two of Joseph’s sons, James Grey Brady, age 26 and Samuel Brady, age 16, marched by foot to serve in the Civil War. Both soldiers returned to this area to farm and raise their families. Next, I descended the hill south toward Brady Cemetery and stopped at Frog Fen where Fred was flying to and from his perch, singing loudly along with several other Redwings. Passing the cemetery, I turned north and entered Native Grassland where I spotted lots of Brome grass hanging over the trail. Several clusters of yellow False Sunflower blossoms were sticking up. I arrived at the south end of Grebe Pond where I noticed that the goslings of a geese family had grown almost as large as their parents. Following the trail around the pond, I was pleased to see a few blossoms of Butter-and-Eggs. Also, I saw and heard Gil while he perched in a small tree. Finally, the dog and I passed the barn and got in the car for our journey home.

What’s it like to be one of them?
Pink blossoms on a green stem
My aroma is sweet as I grow
This week my colors I’ll show
I sway with summer breezes
In my pedals, nectar pleases
Many Monarchs will be found
Bugs and beetles crawl around
I wish to be, if only for an hour
Mother nature’s Milkweed flower

D. DeGraaf

June 21

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, since I planned to be out of town, we went on Friday morning instead when the weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 66 degrees and a slight breeze out of the southeast. It was good to return after a two-week absence in time to recognize and celebrate the sun at its summer solstice. I stood at the crest of the hill and was pleased to look west over a familiar lush landscape. Descending the hill, I noticed some Goat’s Beard flowers were going to seed appearing gray and fuzzy like a “goat’s beard.” I paused at Mallard Marsh to look and listen to my Redwings. Max was in his usual perch singing away. Mark was sitting quietly in his perch on the far side of the pond. However, I was surprised not to see any females or fledglings in the cattails on the north side. Mike, along with a female Redwing were perched in a small tree on the north side of the trail. Entering Bobolink Meadow, Bob flew toward me and hovered above my head noisily singing to defend his territory. In the mean time, I spotted one fledgling flying low and landing in the underbrush. Hiking through the meadow, I continued to be disappointed that no Bobolinks had yet arrived. At the entrance to North Woods, I admired the purplish inflorescences of Reed Canary Grass. Turning south, I made it to Willow Wallow where Will sat quietly in his perch. I entered Succession Field that was dotted with many Oxeye Daisies. Also, hidden in the grass were Alsike Clover and Red Clover. Along the north side of South Woods there were lots of frothy Spittle Bugs stuck on grass stems. As I turned south toward Artist Overlook, I noticed the Silky Dogwood shrubs were blossoming. Following south trail, I spotted lots of Orange and Yellow Hawkweed. Also, I was surprised how quietly a Great Blue Heron took off from a nearly dried up vernal pond. Arriving at Frog Fen, I noticed some Yellow Sweet Clover just off the trail. Next, I turned south, passed Brady Cemetery and entered Native Grassland where I observed a Painted Turtle resting in the middle of the trail. In the field off to the east, I spotted several blossoms of Spiderwort. I continued north to Grebe Pond where I saw no sign of the pair of swans that had made this their home for the past five weeks. Also, I did not see Gus while Gabe flew up to his usual perch. Rounding the corner, I was treated by a show of bird sights and sounds as Gil and Gordy were swooping and singing among some Redwing females, Grackles and Tree Swallows. Following the trail toward the barn, I saw a few colorful Coreopsis sticking up above the grass. Passing the barn, I noticed some Mayweed growing on the drain field east of the Classroom. Finally, we came to the car for our trip home.

Sustaining sun overhead
Casting its shortest shadow
Penetrating a peaceful pond
Warming the wading turtle
Heating the harden earth
Coming through the canopy
A star that stays nearby
Rays that reach the grass
Shining and sharing its light
Reflecting off the reeds
High in the hazy sky
Way before noon in June
Sensational summer solstice 

D. DeGraaf

June 15

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was at the Bay City State Recreation Area hiking with family members while Remi was back in Alma. This area has one of the largest remaining freshwater, coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, the Tobico Marsh. More than a thousand feet of sandy beach and over 2,000 acres of wetland woods, wet meadows, cattail marshlands and oak savannah prairies make it an ideal staging area for migratory birds. The noontime weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 71 degrees and a gentle easterly breeze off Saginaw Bay. We started out on a mile-long circuit around a large lagoon where I spotted a clump of Daisy Fleabane. As we continued on the trail, I noticed lots of Meadow Anemone with their white blossoms and star-like leaf structure. Walking at a leisurely pace, we enjoyed the wonderful aroma of Multi Flora Rose blossoms lining the path. Next, I was surprised to see a nesting pair of Mourning Doves along with one of their fledglings resting on the ground. It’s amazing how well their color blends with the earthen background. Despite the fact that these birds may be hunted in 40 other states, I am please they are not hunted in Michigan. As we continued our circuit around the lagoon, I noticed some Goat’s beard, Red Clover as well as Yellow Sweet Clover. We paused on a bridge over the lagoon’s inlet where I saw a Painted Turtle sunning itself. Next, we ventured off the path and walked on the beach down to the water of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay where we enjoyed a refreshing breeze. The name of the lake is derived from early French explorers who named it for the Huron people inhabiting the region. By surface area, Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes, making it the third-largest fresh water lake on Earth. By volume however, Lake Huron is only the third largest of the Great Lakes. Walking near the water’s edge, I spotted a decomposing carp fish. These fish are capable of tolerating a range of environmental conditions. They have a greater tolerance of low oxygen levels, pollutants and turbidity than most native fish and are often associated with degraded habitats. Back on the trail, we paused to notice some Yarrow and enjoyed the pungent smell of its leaves. Crossing over a boardwalk, we saw some Ground Ivy and Bladder Campion growing just off the path. Off to my right, I observed some kind of white bracket fungus growing on a tree trunk. Just before completing the circuit, I paused to look at colorful purple Coreopsis. Finally, we got to the car for our trip back to Alma.

A place out of town
Far from the suburb
Where wildlife thrive
I’ll try not to disturb
Place of natural beauty
I can smell the flowers
Trail around a lagoon
I could hike for hours
Path of cement and sand
Over gently rolling terrain
I hope to return soon
Won’t hesitate or refrain

D. DeGraaf