June 28

Saturday, Remi stayed home while I was one of eight bird watchers participating in a hike at Forest Hill led by expert birder, Stan Lilly of Mt. Pleasant. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 75 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the southeast. Leaving the parking lot and heading south into Native Grassland, we were greeted by the warning shriek of a male Redwing Blackbird as we passed by his nesting territory among the cattails along the edge of Grebe Pond. In the grassland, we discovered a pheasant feather on the trail while being entertained by the calls of a few Song Sparrows. We paused at Brady Cemetery where we caught a glimpse of a perching Kingbird. Turning north, we approached Frog Fen where Stan alerted us to a singing Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo. We turned west on the south trail where we stopped to listen to the mimicking calls of a Catbird perched in a Box Elder tree. Continuing south, we heard a Wood Duck, Goldfinch and Yellowthroat. We rounded Sora Swale, passed Artist Overlook and turned west along the edge of South Woods. Entering the woods, we followed the earthen trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp where we heard the distant call of a Crow. We exited the woods, turned west again and circled Succession Field where we were treated by a singing Cardinal perched high in an Oak. Entering the shade of North Woods, Stan once again alerted us to the calls of an Eastern Wood Pewee and Common Flicker. We left the woods and turned east into Bobolink Meadow where we heard a Ring Neck Pheasant. Completing the hiking circuit, we gathered in the shade of the Observation Deck next to Grebe Pond where we saw a family of Geese swimming among the dense, green watermeal. As a fitting end to a successful hike, we were all pleased to catch a glimpse of a Common Gallinule perching on a log near the south shore. Finally, the group broke up, headed to their cars and took off for home.

Bird approached

Stopped to perch

Is it the one found?

Or is it the search?

Resumed his flight

Paused to rest

Is it the sight of him?

Or is it the quest?

He took off again

Grabbed some fruit

Is it the view I want?

Or is it the pursuit?

What is better?

To seek or find

I like them both

Pleases the mind

D. DeGraaf

June 17

Tuesday, I was in Madrid, Spain hiking along the Manzanares River in Monte El Pardo Preserve accompanied by my wife, Caroline, my daughter Allison, my two sisters, Bev & Peg along with our guide, Jonathan, a native of Nova Scotia. The late morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 70 degrees and a slight northerly breeze. Following a well-worn path on the riverbank, we saw a variety of trees including: Plane trees (related to Sycamore) with their maple-like leaves, bristly fruit and mottled bark, Acacia trees with Spanish Moss growing on their trunks, a Locust Bean tree and a Holly Oak. In one of the trees a Wood Pigeon was perching. Near the river’s edge, we spotted a swallow but could not determine the exact species. We left the trail and walked to a place where the river rushed over a concrete slab. Continuing on the trail, we could barely make out a female Pintail duck swimming in a swampy cove far below. Also, we saw and heard a few European Magpies. In the open areas, many colorful wildflowers were in bloom including: Wild Parsnips, Dense flowered Mullein, Milk Thistle, Spanish Oyster Thistle and Wild Clematis. Next, we paused to observe a Cereal Leaf Beetle on a Tansy flower as well as smell the pleasant aroma of its leaves. Nearby, a shrub, called Spanish Broom, was in full bloom. Finally, we retraced our steps back to the beginning and boarded a bus for return trip to the hotel.

I’ve traveled many lands

Most states and beyond

I’ve hiked many trails

Most memories are fond

Along scenic rivers

Majestic mountains high

Across verdant valleys low

Natural beauty I can’t deny

Everywhere I’ve gone

Mother Earth has a story

Everywhere I’ve looked

Nature reveals her glory

D. DeGraaf

June 9

Monday, Remi and I hiked at one of our favorite sites, Pine River Park in Alma, starting at the boat launch. The late morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and a light, refreshing breeze out of the east. I headed east along the paved trail where several wildflowers along the bank were in full bloom including: Meadow Anemone, Woody Nightshade and Wild Rose. Just off shore in the river, I spotted a mother Mallard tending to her babies and a Muskrat feeding. Further down the path, more blossoms caught my eye including: Buttercup, Fleabane and Red Clover. The path took me close to the river’s edge before turning into a woods of mature Maple, Oak and Aspen where I recalled my excitement a few weeks ago of a rare sighting of a male Scarlet Tanager perched on a branch close by. Hiking through dense shade, I turned away from the river into a clearing where I spotted a patch of colorful Dame’s rockets growing tall out of the leaf litter while above me fragrant blossoms were hanging from a Black Locust tree. I turned again and followed a paved road through the shade of Norway spruce and White Pine to another clearing where I saw flowers of Oxeye Daisies, Coreopsis and Blue Bonnet. I paused to look at an aging Pearl Crescent butterfly with its tattered wings, resting on a Virginia creeper leaf. Also, I noticed a Common Blue Damselfly sunning itself. Turning back toward the river, I caught a glimpse of Orange Hawkweed blossoms at the base of a wooden fence. Finally, we retraced our steps back to the car for our trip home.

From a grassy meadow

To the forest ground

From the trees above

Nature’s gifts are found

Some are bright yellow

Others white or blue

Some slightly pink

Others, a purple hue

Your beauty revealed

To the earth you cling

Show off your colors

Blossoms of spring

D. DeGraaf

June 4

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked at the Alma College Ecological Station, commonly referred to as the Vestaburg Bog, located 12 miles west of Alma near the village of Vestaburg. The early afternoon weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 63 degrees and no wind. We left the car and headed south into the property where I was greeted by a dense swarm of pesky mosquitoes. Along the edge of the path, I spotted the white blossoms of False Solomon Seals and Maple-Leaf Viburnum. A few red blossoms of Columbine were also on display. Turning east, I headed deeper into the forest where I noticed the sac-like nest of a Baltimore oriole hanging down from the branch of a Witch Hazel tree. Growing near the ground was a young Sassafras tree. I turned south again, descended a slight hill and walked onto a boardwalk that was floating on a mat of sphagnum moss covering part of the bog. Heading toward open water, I stopped to admire some beautiful Pink Lady slipper orchids growing near the boardwalk. I came to the end where I stopped to scan the 10-acre, circular lake at center of the bog. On the shore nearby, a few insectivorous Picture plants were growing from the sphagnum mat, some displaying their striking red blossoms. I turned around and headed back to the forest trail where I saw a lush Cinnamon fern with its familiar brown fruiting stalk. Nearby, was a patch of the Club Moss. Continuing back toward the car, I spotted a few tiny, white blossoms of Canada Mayflower. Finally, we reached the car, hopped in to escape the mosquitoes and headed back to Alma.

Signs of spring abound

Mother Nature thrives

A frog sits and hops

A Grebe swims and dives

Nests fill with hatchlings

Meadow fills with green

Yellowthroat on a branch

Is heard but seldom seen

Seasons are changing again

Summer will be here soon

May is a distant memory

Time to welcome June

D. DeGraaf

May 29

Thursday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early evening weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 77 degrees and a light breeze out of the northeast. At the crest of the hill, I stopped to admire the verdant landscape. Down the hill, I passed Mallard Marsh and walked through Bobolink Meadow where I noticed the Autumn Olive shrubs were blossoming while I searched in vain for nesting Bobolinks. I entered North Woods where the leaf litter was greening up with Poison Ivy and Virginia Creeper. Above me, the tree canopy was lush and dense. I exited the woods and wandered off the trail to admire the blossoming Nannyberry Viburnum tree. Circling around to the rear of Succession Field, I spotted many tiny Leaf Miners crawling on the Basswood leaves, making lots of small holes. I entered South Woods and paused at Swanson Swamp to listen to a male Redwing Blackbird. Near the exit, I spotted a baby toad resting on the leaf litter. I left the woods and arrived at Artist Overlook where I heard my first cricket call of the season. Hiking around Sora Swale, I was surprised to see a female Painted Turtle laying her eggs in the middle of the trail. Also, I noticed a few Hawthorn trees still had blossoms. Turning east, I followed the south trail where I stopped to watch a Turkey Vulture standing in the neighbor’s field feeding on a carcass. I turned at Frog Fen and headed south toward Brady Cemetery where many of the Red Osier Dogwood shrubs were blooming. I paused at an abandoned nest in a Honeysuckle bush that I’d been watching for several weeks. At first, the nest was occupied by a Robin with 3 eggs. After it was destroyed and abandoned, it was taken over by a Morning Dove with 2 eggs. Shortly thereafter, it was destroyed again and abandoned. I passed the cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland to the edge of Grebe Pond. Continuing north, I passed the barn and wandered to an area east of the parking lot where I spotted the white froth on a Goldenrod stem made by the Spittle Bug. Finally, we made it to the car for our trip home.

Black buzzard that soars so well

You find a meal with your smell

You fly with grace, fly so high

You float on the wind in the sky

Sometimes alone or just a few

Your keen eyes give you a view

A big bird with lots of skill

You clean up much road kill

I love to watch you, love to peer

Turkey Vulture, you’re welcome here

D. DeGraaf

May 21

Wednesday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The mid afternoon weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 81 degrees and a steady breeze out of the southwest. At the crest of the hill, I viewed a lovely spring landscape. Moving down to Mallard Marsh, I spotted a Leopard Frog sitting still in the water. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I recalled with excitement the sight of my first male Bobolink earlier in the day as it flew south from the neighbor’s farm toward this meadow. On the path, I noticed some Dandelions were already going to seed. Also, I spotted patches of a green groundcover with a very tiny white blossom with a very long name-Thyme-leaf Speedwell. Passing through North Woods, an 8-inch diameter shelf fungus and a few blossoms of Blue Phlox caught my eye. Exiting the woods, I circled around the back of Succession Field and entered South Woods where some Mayapples were beginning to blossom. Also, a few Wild Geraniums were making their appearance. Leaving the woods, I turned east and noticed the apple tree was blossoming. I turned south and hiked around Sora Swale where I enjoyed the sweet aroma of blossoms from a Wild Cherry Tree. Following south trail, I turned south at Frog Fen and headed toward Brady Cemetery where I stopped at a Honeysuckle bush to see a Mourning Dove nest with two eggs. This nest had been built by a Robin and had three of her eggs in it before it was ransacked and taken over by this Mourning Dove. I turned north into Native Grassland, stopped at Grebe Pond and continued toward the barn where I noticed a single plant of Hoary Cress with it’s cluster of tiny white blossoms. Next, I walked around to the east side of the barn to see the tiny blossoms and smell the leaves of Ground Ivy. Finally, we came back to the car for our trip home.

One of nature’s finest

I look for you each spring

I waited for your arrival

I longed to hear you sing

Daily, I searched for you

On a bush and in the sky

No sightings did I report

I paused and wondered why

Suddenly, you did approach

Your markings very clear

Bobolink of the meadow

I’m glad you’re finally here

D. DeGraaf

May 13

Tuesday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early afternoon weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 75 degrees and a steady wind out of the west. At the crest of the hill, I gazed at the western landscape to see lush green grass nearby, further away, Mallard Marsh was surrounded by dead cattails, still further, green Bobolink Meadow and finally, on the horizon far away, North Woods filling out with leaves. I descended the hill, passed Mallard Marsh and hiked through Bobolink Meadow where the color yellow caught my eye including: a mixture of Dandelions and Wild Mustard on the path, a buzzing Bumble Bee flying from blossom to blossom and Goldfinches flying from bush to bush. Continuing through the meadow, I was pleased to sight my first Green Heron of the season as it flew south and landed in Willow Wallow. At the entrance to North Woods, I spotted a few blossoms of Wild Strawberry and some vegetative stalks of Horsetail. Hiking through the woods, the leaf litter displayed purple Wood Violets and Downy Yellow Violets along with a few Jack-in-the-Pulpits. Exiting the woods, I was reminded of my first sighting of a Baltimore oriole earlier in the week perched high and singing in a tree nearby. I left the path and wandered around Succession Field where I saw a Yellow Morel Mushroom while the sky to the west began to clear. Circling the field, I noticed a 2-foot long Garter snake lying motionless on the path before it saw me and slithered into the tall grass. I entered South Woods and walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where a few May apples were beginning to grow fruit. Looking at the water, I could see a Painted turtle resting on a log. Leaving the woods, I continued on south trail past Artist Overlook, around Sora Swale to Frog Fen where I turned south to Brady Cemetery and then north into Native Grassland. Under a grove of Box Elder trees was a puddle of water where I spotted a large American Toad sitting still waiting for a meal. I glanced north at Grebe Pond where I saw a few Redwings along the shore. Heading to the barn, I turned west and walked down by the dock where I could see a few Indian Hemp plants beginning to sprout. Finally, we came to the car and headed home.

Sun warms the earth

Spring arrives late

Creatures stop hiding

Nature ends her wait

Frog on the pond

Snake on the ground

Bee on the flower

Birds all around

Cattail shoots appear

Maple leaves unfold

Time has finally come

Wildlife can take hold

D. DeGraaf