September 23

Tuesday, Remi & I traveled 12 miles north to Isabella County so we could hike in Meridian Park. The early afternoon weather was sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and no wind. Before starting out, I paused to face the sun and celebrate its crossing of the celestial equator as well as the commencing of autumn. I followed a mowed trail south where I immediately noticed a sign of the season as pods of a Milkweed plant had dried out and opened to expose the silky seeds. After passing a small pond, I proceeded along the edge of a dirt road where I came upon a plant I had never seen before called Viper’s bugloss. Its name derives from folklore as an “expellent” of poisons and venom, and to cure the bites of a viper. Specifically, its seeds were thought to resemble snakeheads, thus specifying it as a cure for the bites of serpents. I came to the edge of the fast-flowing Chippewa River where I paused to listen to the chirping crickets. Hiking close to the river’s edge on a little-used path through thick vegetation, several sticky fruit from the Bur Cucumber stuck to Remi’s thick hair. Also, he got wet and muddy as he enjoyed a swim in the river. After turning around and retracing my steps toward the car, I came across another plant I had not seen before called Closed Gentian. Its name derives from the fact that its petals never open. Looking like large blue buds, these flowers produce a rich source of pollen and nectar. However, most insect pollinators are not able to access it. Only large bumblebees are strong enough to force the petals open and crawl inside. This is an example of a mutualism-- the bees benefit by having exclusive access to a bountiful nectar supply, and the plants benefit by attracting "loyal" pollinators that improve the chances for cross pollination. Nearing the end of my hike, I stopped to observe and feel the 5 inch-long, stiff needles from a tall Austrian Pine tree. Finally, we made it back to the car and headed home to Alma.

I welcome these days

When the Egret flies thru

Creeper leaves glow red

Their berries shine blue

I welcome the sun

On its annual descent

Geese are gathering

The meadow is spent

I welcome the morning

Frosty and clear

Greetings autumn!

Glad you’re here

D. DeGraaf

September 16

Tuesday, after traveling 13 miles due west of Alma into Montcalm County, Remi & I hiked on fellow nature guide, Ron Patton’s 102-acre property next to Marl Lake. The early morning weather included a bright sun burning off patchy fog, a temperature of 43 degrees and no wind. Started down a wide path into a wooded area, I soon came to a small pond whose smooth surface reflected a stand of large spruce and pine trees on the far shore. On the ground were a few blue blossoms of Beardstongue. Following the trail, I spotted some colorful blossoms of New York Aster while picking up the familiar call of a Pileated Woodpecker. Walking along the edge of a small stream, I noticed some Nodding Bur Marigold. Next, I saw a few small patches of Maidenhair fern and a large patch of Bracken fern. As the trail curved to the east, I entered a mature forest of tall Maple and Beech just as the sun broke through the canopy. Also, I observed a some yellow Waxy Cap mushrooms growing on the leaf litter. Veering off the trail, I came to the edge of 17-acre Marl Lake where I alarmed a few Canada Geese. After briefly exploring a small stream that fed into the lake, I began retracing my steps and spotted a fresh Coral fungus as well as lots of Beech Drops poking up through the soil. Nearing the end of the hike, I caught a glimpse of a couple of large maples beginning to change colors, a sign of things to come. Finally, we made it back to the car and headed home.

Waning days of summer

Nature’s colors revealed

Purple aster blossoms

Dot the golden field

Maples of the forest edge

Those in between

Still hold their leaves

Still show their green

Rose hips of red

Berries of blue and white

New food for the finch

New season in sight

D. DeGraaf

September 9

Tuesday, Remi and I hiked a section of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail in Montcalm County west of Vestaburg. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 60 degrees and no wind. We entered the trail where it crosses Berry Rd. and began following it southwest when it became apparent that I was walking through a type of habitat referred to as an Alder thicket. On both sides of the trail, I noticed lots of Tag Alder trees; some had branches with female catkins while others had male catkins. Up ahead, I spotted some white fuzzy stuff on an Alder branch that turned out to be the secretions of Wooly Alder Aphids made to defend themselves from predators. Continuing on the trail, I saw large patches of Ostrich ferns as well as several Swamp Thistle plants. Next, the trail entered the Vestaburg State Game Area where I looked out at extensive, open wetlands. After about a mile on the trail, I turned around and began retracing my steps when, in the vegetation next to the trail I observed what I thought were several tiny dandelion seeds being blown around. Looking more closely, I was surprised to see they were tiny living insects flying around and landing on leaves as if they were miniature Tinkerbelles from the Peter Pan movie. Nearly transparent, these fascinating creatures, called Fairy Flies were amazing to watch but impossible to photograph. Continuing east back toward the car, I noticed some lovely, late-blooming Turtlehead flowers. Finally, we arrived back to the car for our trip home.

Eyes are wide open to see

Glimpses of nature here for me

It maybe a flower, maybe a tree

Maybe a hawk flying free

I look around on land and sea

Beauty surrounds, I do agree

I search again on bended knee

Behold a bug! Behold a bee!

Earth’s treasures, found the key

More of this, I hope it will be

D. DeGraaf

September 4

Thursday, Remi and I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area for our “weekly wanderings” The early morning weather was partly sunny with spotty light rain, a temperature of 61 degrees and no wind. Today, as September opens and autumn approaches, I planned to be observant of wildlife as usual while focusing on fruits that Mother Nature is showing off. I followed north trail down the hill past Mallard Marsh into a Goldenrod-covered Bobolink Meadow where I noticed the white berries on a Gray Dogwood bush. Also, I could see some Milkweed pods were turning pink. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south toward Willow Wallow where I was excited to spot my first New England Asters of the season. Following the trail, I saw that a few Elderberries were still hanging from the bush. Turning west at Willow Wallow, I could barely make out a Black & Yellow Longhorn Beetle nestled in a Goldenrod flower. Circling Succession Field, I first saw a bunch of Wild Grapes followed by a few remaining berries of Autumn Olive and finally, a few hips from Multiflora Rose. I turned into South Woods and paused at a place on the edge of Swanson Swamp that was recently cleared for an upcoming boardwalk construction project by an Eagle Scout candidate from Breckenridge. Before leaving the woods, the striking red fruit of Jack-in-the-Pulpit caught my eye as well as a well-camouflaged Wood Frog. I left the woods and turned east where I saw the last piece of fruit on a Wild Apple tree. Passing Artist Overlook, I followed south trail where I noticed a few remaining cherries on a Chokecherry tree as well as a baby Gray Tree frog sitting on a Raspberry leaf. At Frog Fen, I turned north toward Reflection Hill where I could see quite a distinction between the white berries of Red-Osier Dogwood and the blue berries of Silky Dogwood. Near the top of the hill, I turned over a Milkweed leaf looking for a Monarch caterpillar and found a Tussock’s Moth Caterpillar instead. From the hilltop, I gazed west over South Woods and marveled at the unexpected sight of a rainbow. Facing east, I looked with concern at Grebe Pond that continues to be overrun by the green invasive weed called Watermeal. Next, I left the path and walked a short distance down the hill to take a closer look at the fruit of a Crab Apple tree. Back on the trail, I approached the classroom where I could see that a large Pin Cherry tree to the west was still loaded with fruit. At the end of the hike, I was pleased to see the freshly painted barn and granary as we prepare for another field trip season. Finally, we got back to the car and headed home.

What bird is that?

As I take a look

What’s it called?

Is it in the book?

Need to get close

To see its features

Is it one that I think?

One of those creatures

Does it really matter?

Should I really care?

A marvel of nature

I continue to stare

D. DeGraaf

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