August 28

Thursday, I drove 25 miles southeast of Alma to the eastern edge of Gratiot County so Remi and I could hike the Red Pine Trail, one of several trails that access the 17,000-acre, Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 57 degrees and no noticeable wind since a dense forest sheltered the trail. We left the car and followed a winding path through a mature forest of oaks and maples with some tall Aspen and Red Pine along the edge. Soon, I paused to examine a fresh Amanita mushroom growing in the middle of the trail. Entering a clearing surrounded by young White Birch trees, I noticed a few Flat-top Asters and Canadian Goldenrod sticking up above a blanket of ferns. I passed a small pond where I spotted a few Buttonbush plants. After another quarter mile through the woods, I arrived at a large, open wetland where I noticed some blossoms of Bluestem Goldenrod and a single blossom of Beggar Ticks. A patch of mud on the trail revealed fresh Raccoon and Whitetail tracks. Entering a clearing, I stopped to enjoy the subtle sounds of unknown Orthoptera while noticing some ferns were changing colors, another sign of impending seasonal change. Continuing along the edge of the wetland, I saw a few clumps of Boneset and a single Water Hemlock plant. About three quarter miles from the start of my hike, I turned around and retraced my steps back through the woods where I stopped by a Pin Oak tree to observe red, fuzzy galls growing on some leaves. Next to my feet, the leaf litter revealed a few spiny puffballs and acorns as well as some Wintergreen leaves where I paused to enjoy their aroma. Finally, we returned to the car and took off for home.

I welcome these August days

When whitetails stop to graze

I welcome the warming sun

On fields where pheasants run

I welcome the scent of clover

That spreads the meadow over

I welcome a forest scene

With all its shades of green

Nature’s month of glory

Part of her summertime story

D. DeGraaf

August 20

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked a section of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail, 5 miles east of Clare. The early afternoon weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 73 degrees and a refreshing breeze out of the west. Heading west on the wide, paved path, I spotted some wildflowers that I’d never seen before including Virgin’s Bower (Devil’s Darning Needles) and Prairie Phlox. Also, I picked up the subtle, sweet aroma of Swamp Milkweed that grew in abundance on both sides of the trail. I paused to observe a small stream that was flowing fast due to the recent rains. Further along, I noticed a few blossoms of Bouncing Bet, a small patch of the invasive Crown Vetch and the bright red fruit of Mapleleaf Viburnum. Hopping quietly through the underbrush was some kind of small brown wren that I could not specifically identify. Leaving the rail trail, I turned south and followed a little-worn path into the Lawrence A. McDonald Wildlife Sanctuary, an 11-acre preserve that is part of the Isabella County Park system. The land included a small cattail marsh, a grove of mixed conifers and an open meadow. Almost immediately I spotted a Pearl Crescent Butterfly sunning itself near the ground. Scattered around me were a few small patches of white Aster, a sure sign of the fall season to come. Continuing south, I climbed a small hill and noticed a Blue Bonnet flower as well as a few stalks of a warm season grass called Big Blue Stem. On the crest of the hill, I walked through a patch of Autumn Olive shrubs that were displaying their ripe fruit. Approaching the car, I glanced up at a Red Oak tree and was pleased to see that it was full of acorns. Finally, we found the car and headed back to Alma.

Note of weekly hikes

On terrain high or low

Summertime or winter

Over mud or deep snow

Trail maybe hard to see

Maybe smooth or rough

Journey maybe easy

Journey maybe tough

View maybe foggy

View maybe clear

Whatever’s before me

Mother Nature is near

D. DeGraaf

August 13

Wednesday, Remi and I traveled 10 miles west of Mt. Pleasant and hiked around Gilmore Park. Part of the Isabella County park system, this 7-acre preserve is located on the north shore of Lake Isabella. The early morning weather was sunny with temperature of 61 degrees and a stiff northwest wind. We left the car and followed a well groomed, meandering trail into a partially wooded area lined with dense patches of Sandbar Willow as well as exposed areas dotted with Bergamot and Goldenrod. As the trail turned sharply to the left, I noticed the rusty red fruit of Staghorn Sumac, a crimson red, ripe raspberry and some scarlet red leaves of Virginia creeper, a portend of autumn. Perched on a reed was a dainty, Powdered Dancer Damselfly. The trail led me to a wooden deck overlooking the lake where I paused to enjoy the view and listen to the wind rustle through leaves of the aspen trees while a Blue Jay called from the canopy. Near the completion of the first loop, I looked down and admired some Turkey Tail Fungi growing on a dead branch. On the second loop, the trail circled an open field colored with large patches of Spotted Knapweed. I continued on the trail as it skirted a grove of Birch and Cottonwoods where I was pleased to catch a glimpse of a Black & Blue Widow Skimmer Dragonfly. Finally, we returned to the car and headed back to Alma.

The time is now

Place is here

Heaven on earth

Nature is near

No noisy cars

Or polluted air

No concrete jungle

Or lights that glare

A forest trail

Points the way

Nothing disturbs

But calls of a Jay

D. DeGraaf

August 7

Thursday was a good day at Forest Hill Nature Area for a hike with my dog, Remi who has been leashed lately after he recently chased and fought with a resident Raccoon. The early evening weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 81 degrees and a refreshing breeze out of the northeast. Facing the setting sun, I headed west down the hill to Mallard Marsh where I proceeded to pick and eat a Milkweed seedpod that is tender and tasty when it first appears. I proceeded into Bobolink Meadow where I spotted a Longhorn Beetle on a Queen Anne’s lace blossom. Just south of the trail, I was surprised to see a single Common Teasel plant. Since this thistle is considered invasive, I will have to watch this area to make sure it doesn’t spread. Approaching North Woods, I observed the first of two Viceroy butterflies. Upon entering the woods, I quickly put netting over my head (selfie) as protection against swarms of mosquitos. Stepping across the long boardwalk, I thought about how unusual it was to see water in the vernal pond this time of the year. I exited the woods, turned west and began circling Succession Field where I heard the distinctive call of an Eastern Wood Pewee coming from high in oak tree. Along the edge of South Woods, I spotted blossoms of Agrimonia and Joe Pye Weed as well as unusually large numbers of Indian pipe. I entered the shaded woods and immediately noticed lots of Virginia Knotweed sprouting from the forest floor. Hiking along the edge of Swanson Swamp, I recalled with excitement meeting with an Eagle Scout candidate last week whose planning to build a boardwalk out into this remote wetland. Exiting the woods, I passed Sora Swale and followed the south trail toward Frog Fen where I observed a single Monarch. Turning south, I headed toward Brady Cemetery where I noticed the Red Osier Dogwood shrubs were beginning to grow berries. I passed the cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland that was adorned with colorful wildflowers. Not surprising, the flowers attracted lots of insects including a Honeybee on Mountain Mint and a Black Swallowtail butterfly on a Purple Cone Flower. I continued north along the edge of weed-choked Grebe Pond to the barn where I walked around to the east side and spotted Motherwort and Smartweed. Finally, we returned to the car for our trip home.

In the peak of summer

The field is in bloom

Nature shows her stuff

No bleakness or gloom

In the bush far away

A Goldfinch sings

In the blossom below

A honeybee clings

Smell of Milkweed

If only a hint

Along the trail

Lovely Mountain Mint

Above the pond

Dragonfly flutters by

Above the meadow

Soars a butterfly

D. DeGraaf

August 1

Friday, Remi stayed back in Alma while my wife, Caroline and I drove 8 miles west of Mt. Pleasant on Pickard Rd. to hike the 78-acre Sylvan Solace property owned by the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. The mid afternoon weather was cloudy, humid with a temperature of 81 degrees and no wind. We left the car and headed south on a grassy path bordered by an assortment of colorful wildflowers including patches of Bergamot and the invasive, Spotted Knapweed as well as a some Cow Vetch. Next, I paused to observe a White Oak tree that had several leaves with fuzzy Leaf Galls growing on them. Coming to a fork, I spotted some striking tiny blossoms of Pink Deptford. We turned left and followed the trail around to the south again where I caught a glimpse of a Wood Satyr butterfly on a Witch Hazel leaf. After the trail reached a dead end, we turned around and retraced our steps where Caroline pointed out a dead Clymene Haploa Moth on the ground. Returning to the fork, we started west on the River Loop trail where I stopped to look at a Japanese Beetle on a plant that I was not familiar with. Thanks to local wildflower expert, Mike LaValley who identified it as a Round-headed Bush Clover. Up ahead, I saw my first Canadian Goldenrod of the season in bloom. While following the trail as it curved south, the skies darkened and the thunder rumbled. So we turned around where I spotted a Small White Wave Butterfly on a Wild Grape leaf. Also, I came across a nest of Tent Caterpillars on a cherry tree. Returning again to the fork, I looked down to see a Muskingum Gray Dogwood shrub in bloom as well as a patch of Sweet Fern. Finally, we made it back to the car before getting wet and headed home.

Much about nature

Yet to behold

Her many secrets

Yet to unfold

New places to hike

New trails to walk

More plants to find

More creatures to stalk

Season after season

Year after year

From earth and sky

Her call I hear

D. DeGraaf

July 26

Saturday, Remi stayed back in Alma while I participated in a community butterfly hike at Forest Hill Nature Area led by expert naturalist, Stan Lilley of Mt. Pleasant. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 61 degrees and a gentle wind out of the southwest. Before heading out, we paused next to the barn to look out at Grebe Pond where a dozen geese took off and headed west. We proceeded south into Native Grassland that was ablaze with colorful wildflowers, including Bergamot, False Sunflower, Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan and Mountain Mint. Immediately, we were pleased to spot two Monarchs flying around and perching on Milkweed. Its good to see more of these butterflies this summer compared to last year when I saw only a few the entire season. Next, we stopped to look and listen to a perching bird that Stan identified as a Sedge Wren. I was pleased to finally identify this small, secretive bird that I’ve heard but not seen on previous hikes. Continuing south on the trail, I saw my first Monarch egg of the summer attached to a Milkweed leaf. Approaching Brady Cemetery, we observed our 3rd Monarch. We paused briefly at the cemetery entrance to listen to an Indigo Bunting hidden among the high tree branched. Turning north toward Frog Fen, a cloud burst of rain sent everyone but me back to their cars. As the rain stopped, I continued west along the south trail to Sora Swale where I paused to hear both a Yellow Throat and Song Sparrow hidden in the willows. Arriving at Artist Overlook, I recognized the white blossoms of Narrow Leaf Meadowsweet. I turned west again and stopped at the picnic tables to gaze at a lush Succession Field. Entering South Woods, I saw a tiny Winter Moth resting on the forest floor. I exited the woods and proceeded around to the entrance of North Woods where I found a few plants of Heal-All with their purple flowers. Exiting the woods, I continued south toward Willow Wallow where I spotted my 4th Monarch perched on the bunch gall of a Golden Rod stem. Turning east at Willow Wallow, I proceeded toward Reflection Hill looking in vain at dozens of Milkweed plants for Monarch caterpillars. From the top of the hill, I looked down on the green surface of Grebe Pond. I descended the hill to the classroom and decided to continue west to search for Monarch caterpillars on the dense patches of Milkweed next to Mallard Marsh. Despite not finding any, I was able to spot a Milkweed Bug as well as my 5th adult Monarch and a single Black Swallowtail. Finally, I returned to the car and headed home.

Finally spot you

Ended my search

In a flowery field

Stopped to perch

Wings of orange

Lined in black

Butterfly of summer

Welcome back

On a Milkweed blossom

For a while stay

Magnificent Monarch

Your beauty display

D. DeGraaf

July 15

Tuesday, Remi was back in Alma while I hiked in the Petritz Nature Preserve on Beaver Island along with my wife, Caroline and our good friends, Buzz & Linda Wynbeek. The mid afternoon weather was partly sunny with an unseasonably cool temperature of 57 degrees and a stiff north wind. From the car, we followed the half-mile trail north through a forest of mature maple and beech where I spotted a Harvestman on a maple leaf. Continuing north, I paused to pick a leaf of Wintergreen and smell it’s pleasing aroma. We turned east and came to a small clearing where I noticed a few blossoms of Bladder Campion. Further ahead, the trail turned north again and came out on a back dune of Lake Michigan where we felt the full effect of the stiff north wind. Moving toward the water into the fore dune zone, I spotted blossoms of Hoary Buccoon, Milkweed and Harebell. Also, I noticed some Picture Thistle. Next, I paused to take in the always-captivating sight of the lake and the welcomed sound of the surf. Nearer the shore, I saw Huron Tansy, Beach Pea and Silverweed flowers. While continuing to explore the fore dune, I was fascinated by the large number of the well-camouflaged Mottled Sand Grasshoppers jumping near my feet as well as dozens of hard-to-see, tiny, black toads. Also, we were pleased to observe another adult Monarch Butterfly, one of 16 we’ve seen so far this week compared to none a year ago. We turned around to retrace our steps back to the car where I spotted a single Evening Primrose. Returning to the trail through the woods, I noticed up-ahead sunlight peaking through the canopy while at my feet a patch of Heal-All. Finally, we got back to the car and headed to the cottage.

Horn of the ferryboat

Too loud to ignore

Island of summer

Welcome me once more

Lake Michigan beach

Waves pound the shore

Squeal of soaring gulls

Welcome me once more

Song of a distant Loon

I’ve so waited for

Nature’s subtle sounds

Welcome me once more

D. DeGraaf