April 25

Friday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early afternoon weather was overcast with a temperature of 45 degrees and a steady breeze out of the west. After leaving the car, I spotted a Killdeer sitting on her eggs in a wood chip pile north of the parking lot. I proceeded to the crest of the hill to look over the greening landscape to the west. Descending the hill, I paused at Mallard Marsh to listen to the Chorus Frogs. I followed the trail through Bobolink Meadow where I noticed my first Crayfish chimney of the season. Entering North Woods, I stopped to listen to a singing Robin and then followed a nesting pair of Bluebirds as they flew in front of me before perching on tree branches. On the ground, some Trout lilies were ready to blossom. Exiting the woods, I stopped in Succession Field to see that hair and bones was all that remained of the deer carcass. Entering South Woods, I found a fresh carcass of a Snapping Turtle just off the trail. Near the exit to the woods, the ground was littered with caterpillar-like catkins that had fallen from the Aspen trees. I turned east and then north and followed the edge of Willow Wallow where I saw a pair of noisy geese. As I climbed up Reflection Hill, I spotted a Tree Swallow checking out one of the new bird boxes. From the top of the hill, I gazed down at Grebe Pond where dozens of Tree Swallows were swooping near the surface. I headed south past Brady Cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland. Near the barn, I was pleased to see a few green cattail shoots sticking up through the water along the edge of the pond. Passing west of the barn, I admired the Wigwam the 3rd graders from Alma had assembled yesterday during their field trip. Finally we completed the circuit and returned to the car for our trip home.

Hiking the forest

I see you from afar

Bird of the trees

Wonder what you are

You perch and pose

As I quietly get near

Your striking colors

Becomes very clear

Rust on the breast

The rest, royal blue

Bluebird on a branch

I enjoy watching you

D. DeGraaf

April 18

Friday 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 45 degrees and a slight breeze out of the east. I stood on the crest of the hill to gaze at a slowly greening landscape. Proceeding to Mallard Marsh, I spotted a half dozen Redwings, both male and female fluttering about and perching on the cattails. I continued through Bobolink Meadow where I saw a pair of noisy geese walking in the neighbor’s field to the north. As I watched, another pair of geese landed nearby at which time a noisy scuffle took place. Entering North Woods, I hiked west along the leaf-covered trail where I noticed patches of Nut Sedge growing and greening up the forest floor. I exited the woods and stopped by the deer carcass in Succession Field where I observed several green, Ham Beetles feeding on the remains. Their name comes from being found feeding on stored meat including smoked fish and ham. Continuing around Succession Field, I entered South Woods and walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I spotted a mother goose nesting on a small island just off shore. Last week’s wind storm had toppled several large trees including a 16-inch diameter Ash tree that lay across the trail. I exited the woods and followed the trail past Artist Overlook along the edge of Sora Swale where I paused to listen to a very noisy Spring Peeper. Continuing east, I turned south at Frog Fen and hiked past Brady Cemetery into Native Grassland. Heading north, I stopped to admire the new rock display area that had been set up my one of our nature guides, Ivan Palmer in preparation for a new, spring field trip activity. Next, I came to Grebe Pond where I was surprised to see what appeared to be a Double-Crested Cormorant circling high overhead before it headed north. Population control methods have been used on these fish-eating ducks in Michigan since they have depleted desirable fish populations of many lakes. Following the edge of the pond, I passed the barn and walked over to the west side of the classroom to check out one of six new birdhouses installed by a Cub Scout troop from Alma. Finally, we found the car for our trip home.

Tell me your story

Stone of the ground

Where have you been?

Why are you round?

Born in the depths

Hot molten rock

Cooled at the surface

Part of earth’s stock

Moved by a glacier

From a mountain crest

Weathered and worn

Laid down to rest

D. DeGraaf

April 9

Wednesday, I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area for a hike with my dog, Remi. The noontime weather was sunny with a temperature of 50 degrees and a steady wind out of the west. At the crest of the hill, I gazed west at the ever-changing landscape. Descending the hill to Mallard Marsh, I spotted two male Redwing Blackbirds perched on cattails and my first female Redwing perched in a willow tree. I continued through Bobolink Meadow where a pair of noisy Sand hill Cranes flew past me. Entering North Woods, I spotted a few shoots of Wild Iris poking up through the mud. The trail was covered with dry leaf litter after finally being free of snow while along the edge a few Nut Sedge began to green up the forest floor. At the boardwalk, I noticed the vernal pond was overflowing from the spring thaw. Approaching the exit to the woods, I was surprised to see my first reptile of the season, a garter snake slithering among the leaves. Leaving the woods, I turned west where I saw that the deer carcass I found a few weeks ago had been dragged into Succession Field where it continued to be scavenged. Entering South Woods, I paused at Swanson Swamp to hear my first amphibians of the season, Spring Peepers. Exiting the woods, I turned east and walked over what I assumed would be the last patch of snow for the season. I arrived at Artist Overlook and was pleased to spot my first sighting of four Tree Swallows swooping above Sora Swale. On the path was a pile of rabbit fur indicating an earlier predator kill and consumption. I followed the south trail to Frog Fen and turned south to Brady Cemetery where I noticed one of the small White Pines next to the road was dying. Turning north into Native Grassland, I arrived at Grebe Pond where the water was finally open and clear of ice. I followed the trail past the barn and ended our hike at the car.

It’s that time of year

Spring shows its face

You finally returned

From a winter place

You swoop and dive

You fly with ease

Above the pond

A sight to please

One of nature’s best

Showing white and blue

I’m glad you’re back

Tree Swallow, I welcome you

D. DeGraaf

April 1

Tuesday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 45 degrees and a steady wind out of the southeast. At the crest of the hill, I gazed at the western landscape that was devoid of snow after a recent thawing period. I descended the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh to hear several male Redwings announcing their presence. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I approached the entrance to North Woods where I saw and heard my first Killdeer of the season flying high overhead from north to south. I turned south and headed toward Willow Wallow where I was pleased to see my first Song Sparrow of the season perched high in a tree singing its melodious song. At the pond, I turned west and entered Succession Field where much of the trail displayed a labyrinth of mouse tunnels that had been previously hidden by the snow cover. Following the trail along the edge of North Woods, I stopped to view the deer carcass that I discovered last week and noticed most of it had been eaten by scavengers. Continuing along the edge of South Woods, the trail remained covered with snow and ice. I arrived at Artist Overlook where I spotted a nesting pair of geese on Sora Swale anxiously waiting for the ice to melt. Continuing on South Trail, I noticed on the snow, the unique, cylinder-shaped scat of a Raccoon. Proceeding toward Frog Fen, I turned around to view a welcomed, patch of blue sky to the west. I turned north at Frog Fen toward Reflection Hill where I spotted another harbinger of spring, a Burrowing Crayfish crawling slowly across the trail. At the top of the hill, I counted three nesting pair of geese walking on the ice of Grebe Pond while a pair of Mallards took off from a small pool of open water on the northwest corner. I descended the hill and continued toward the Classroom Building where I noticed my first Grackles of the season, a half dozen or so as they flew among the Aspen trees next to the pond. Finally, we got back to the car for our trip home.

Seasons are changing

Some ice is still there

Ground is still hard

Fresh is the morning air

Morning sun peaks thru

Mostly silence around

Nature begins to wake

With a special sound

I welcome your tune

From a leafless tree

Song Sparrow of spring

You’re singing for me

D. DeGraaf

March 27

Thursday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 32 degrees and a mixture of light snow flurries and snow pellets being pushed by a stiff south wind. I stood at the crest of the hill to view the western landscape and recalled this same vista a year ago. Passing Mallard Marsh, I noticed a half-dozen male Redwing Blackbirds spaced out around the frozen pond, perching and singing to establish their nesting territories. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed the snow had disappeared from everywhere except the trail. Approaching the entrance to North Woods, I couldn’t help but see a few catkins sprouting from branches of the Silver Maple trees. Hiking west through the woods, the forest floor remained fully snow covered crisscrossed by several deer tracks. Exiting the woods, I glanced at Succession Field, compared to a year ago and turned west where I spotted a fresh deer carcass just off the trail. I followed the trail into South Woods and stopped at the edge of Swanson Swamp to hear a few male Redwings staking out their territories. Exiting the woods, I arrived at Sora Swale which remained ice covered. Heading south, I scared up a herd of 14 deer that ran east out of Sora Swale toward Frog Fen. Turning east on the trail, I glanced south at the neighbor’s field of corn stubble where I counted another dozen deer. Approaching Frog Fen, a dozen geese flew above me in formation. I turned south, passed Brady Cemetery before I turned north and hiked through Native Grassland to the edge of Grebe Pond where a noisy pair of geese were walking on the ice before taking off. Approaching the barn compared to a year ago, I saw a few male Redwings perched on cattails along the pond edge. I passed the barn where a mixed flock of sparrows and cowbirds huddled in the vine-covered tree next to the Observation Deck. Finally, we made it to the car for the trip home.

March makes its final stand

Deep in a cattail marsh

Pond won’t give up its ice

Weather remains harsh

Amid dense, barren trees

Sheltered from a windy chill

Patches of melting snow

Vestiges of winter linger still

From the silence of a forest

A welcomed sound is heard

Hail, harbinger of spring!

Hail, redwing blackbird!

D. DeGraaf

March 20

Thursday, Remi stayed home while I hiked at Deerfield Nature Park, a 600-acre Isabella County park located 6 miles west of Mt. Pleasant on Remus Rd. The early afternoon weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 36 degrees and a steady north wind that I was sheltered from by the dense tree stands in the park. Since today is the Vernal Equinox, I exited the car and paused to look at the sun to recognize its position in space as it crossed the celestial equator to begin spring in the northern hemisphere. In the peace and quiet of being alone in the park, I headed west along the edge of the Chippewa River on the snow-covered Lewis Pontiac Trail through a mixed forest of hardwoods and Red Pine. The river was open and the current strong as I watched a nesting pair of Canada Geese swim along the edge. Approaching a newly constructed bridge, I noticed a dozen Cedar Waxwings fluttering and feeding on the ground. As I crossed the bridge, I paused in the middle to listen as ice-cold water rushed into the river from a tributary on the north side. On the other side I followed the River Loop trail east through a woods of oak, maple and occasionally, birch. Looking around, I began to notice the snow cover was receding to reveal patches of last autumn’s leaf litter. Soon, I came to a vista overlooking one of the many scenic streambeds in the park. I turned around and began retracing my steps toward the car where I was pleased to see a male and female Goldeneye swimming far out in the river. These ducks are most likely a nesting pair stopping to rest on their spring migration journey to Canada or Alaska. Next, I came to the swinging bridge which I recalled using several years ago and was now closed for the season. Just off the trail I spotted a patch of equisetum or horsetail. Finally, it was not hard finding the car for my trip home.

Spirit of spring

I know you’ll bring

A time of rebirth

For Mother Earth

I hope you revive

What’s already alive

Bring a shower

To grow the flower

Bring life anew

I’m counting on you

D. DeGraaf

March 14

Friday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 32 degrees and a stiff wind out of the South.  At the crest of the hill, I gazed west at a landscape still in winter’s grasp. I descended the hill past Mallard Marsh where I heard a pheasant and soon noticed its fresh tracks on the hard, crusty snow. Following the trail through Bobolink Meadow, I recalled earlier in the week leading a group of Alma College biology students on a hike to demonstrate some of our wildlife conservation efforts. Entering North Woods, I headed west where I spotted lots of Raccoon tracks. At the boardwalk I could see that snow was beginning to melt and expose the ice on the large vernal pond. Exiting the woods, I turned west and circled Succession field before entering South Woods where I noticed some fresh Pileated Woodpecker holes in a dying Ash tree. I exited the woods and turned east where I spotted some fresh wild turkey tracks. Making my way to Artist Overlook, I stopped to view Sora Swale and heard my first male Redwing Blackbird of the season calling from Willow Wallow. Following the south trail, I turned south toward Brady Cemetery and scared up a herd of 16 deer next to Frog Fen. Most of them hightailed it toward the cemetery while one ran east where it stopped and stared at me. Arriving at the road by the entrance to the cemetery, I noticed a variety of tracks including my first Red Squirrel tracks. I turned north, continued through Native Grassland and paused at an ice-covered Grebe Pond. Following the edge of the pond, I finally got my first glimpse of a male Redwing Blackbird perching in a nearby tree. Despite the prolonged winter, my records show that male redwings first appeared about this same time last year. I passed the barn and came to the Classroom building to check out the bird feeders when I saw a rotund Woodchuck heading toward me. After it saw us and left the scene, my attention turned back to the feeders that were occupied by some Gold Finches and a Downy Woodpecker. Finally, we got to the car for our trip home.

When will nature wake from its long sleep?

When will green replace snow so deep?

Looking for a muskrat to break the ice?

Listening for a goose to call once or twice?

Soon the sun will thaw frozen ground?

Soon swooping swallows will be found?

Finally redwings returned to the marsh?

Finally the wind has stopped being harsh

Waiting and waiting for spring to show

Loosen your grip winter! Time to let go!

D. DeGraaf