October 26

Since last week’s Pine River encounter in Mecosta County’s village of Millbrook, I move about 2 miles northwest to find the river (left fork) flowing under 7-mile Rd. while converging with an unnamed stream (right fork). Under overcast skies, temperatures in the upper 40’s and a gusty west wind, I notice, as I get closer to its source, the river channel, that once was deep and wide, is shallow and only about 10 feet wide. Working my way along the west bank, I spot the leafless, burgundy branches of a Red Osier Dogwood shrub as well as the male catkins hanging from a Tag Alder tree. Further along, I observe a stand of dying Joe-pye weed whose flowers have gone to seed. In addition, my attention is drawn to a Nightshade vine with a few red berries and leaves with holes. The size and shape of these holes indicates prior feeding by a tiny insect that favors this plant -a 2 mm weevil (stock photo). Pausing at the river’s edge, I take in the sounds of flowing water and cawing crows. Turning around and making my way back to the road, I notice a Goldenrod stem with two fresh ball galls as well as a clusters of fern-like Wild Carrot leaves among the grasses. The life cycle of this biennial plant begins with the formation of these basal rosettes. Emerging now, they will stay green throughout the winter, covered with snow. During the second year, it produces a flower stalk that terminates in umbrella-shaped clusters of small white flowers called Queen-Anne’s Lace. Nearby, I see the folded-up flower heads of this plant as the cycle continues.  Back on the road, I first look north as the river runs under an overhanging Dogwood shrub with its reddening leaves and then look east at a Wild Apple tree with one remaining fruit. Working my way along the east bank, I come upon a dense stand of mature Yellow Birch trees whose inner bark contains oil of wintergreen. By scratching and sniffing a twig, one can enjoy the pleasant aroma. Scanning the forest floor, I spot some Oyster mushrooms and Amber Jelly fungi. At first glance, these jelly fungi don’t look like something you’d want to eat, but this species is edible. Nature foragers soak them in water and rinse them before cooking. However, they taste rather bland with a texture on the rubbery side. On the other hand, the blandness works in its favor as it absorbs the flavors of sauces and spices sautéed with them. 

Late October river flow

Before flurries of snow

Oak leaves lose their glow

Young buck seeks a doe

Turtles dive deep below

Water moves, fast to slow

Far away calls the crow

Redwings left long ago

Cattails cease to grow

Nature’s autumn show

 

D. DeGraaf

October 19

It’s a partly cloudy, chilly morning as I watch the Pine River flow east under 4^th street, a dirt road in Montcalm County’s village of Millbrook. Following a groomed trail down into the flood plain, I find myself in a dense stand of Black Locust trees, of various ages including mature ones with deeply furrowed bark. Considered invasive species, these trees with their compound leaves, reproduce rapidly by sending up new shoots from roots. Stands like this replace existing native vegetation, reducing plant diversity. They can also alter soil characteristics through their ability to fix nitrogen, facilitating the spread of other nonnative species, such and garlic mustard. Despite these problems, the high-density wood from Black Locust is extremely rot resistant, making it an ideal material for fenceposts, outdoor furniture, decks, and other projects that require weatherproof materials. Moving to the riverbank, I pause to watch the flowing water while listening to a Wild Turkey. This “assembly” call is used by the female to bring a scattered flock back together. Continuing on the leaf-covered trail, I’m not surprised to come upon a turkey feather mixed with mostly elm leaves, Nearby, I spot an old Goldenrod ball gall with a hole in it, most likely made by a Woodpecker or Chickadee who detected a small maggot developing inside and dug it out for a quick meal. Up ahead, I see the milkweed-like seeds of a Swallow-wort vine. This invasive species is a perennial climbing vine that can form extensive patches and smother native vegetation. Making my way back to the riverside, I notice the drooping seed heads of Foxtail grass as well as a decaying log covered with Whitewash lichen. Retracing my steps back to the road, I begin to explore the opposite bank where I notice a few colorful leaves of Sumac that remain on the branches as well as the familiar call of a Nuthatch. Walking back to the car, I gaze a short distance west at the old abandoned grain mill with its rusted-out waterwheel that was an important part of the history of this village and thus the name, Millbrook. Records indicate that the “brook” was indeed the Pine River (stock photo) that was dammed, creating an extensive millpond (stock photo). The rapid current thus provided energy to turn the waterwheel and grind the grain into flour (stock photo). 

We meet again river called Pine

Who did you pass along the way?

Was it an angler casting a line

Or on the shore, children play

Maybe a hiker over a bridge

Or a farmer plowing the bank

Maybe someone photographing

Or crop duster emptying its tank

Maybe an owner treating his lawn

Or canoeist going with the flow

Or picnickers littering the edge

Human being, friend or foe?

 

D. DeGraaf

October 12

For the last Pine River encounter in Isabella County, I leave my car off Chapman Rd., just east of the village of Millbrook. It’s mid mourning under sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50’s when I pause on the bank to watch the river flow eastward through a scenic autumn landscape. The muddy shoreline reveals a leaf litter of maple and hickory as well as green Starwort pondweed. Gazing skyward, I could barely make out a gibbous moon through the leafless branches of a towering dead Ash tree. Hiking through dense underbrush, I pass by Virginia Stickseed and Burdock where, not surprisingly, several of their seeds and burrs stick to my pants. In 1948, Swiss engineer, George de Mestral duplicated the hook and loop fastener inspired by the Burdock burrs. The result of his new invention was Velcro ® brand fasteners, a name that came from the French words for velvet (“velours”) and hook (“crochet”). Looking down, I spot the posterior of a 4-inch Leopard Frog, noting its skin is darker than the usual green-mostly like a genetic variation. Back to the water’s edge, I look overhead as a gust of wind moves through a stand of colorful, mature maple and then look down to see a couple of never-before-seen Ditch Stonecrop plants with their colorful seed capsules. Continuing to explore the bank, I observe two plants with ripe fruit of nearly the same color and size, namely Wild Grape and Virginia Creeper. Despite these similarities, there are critical differences. Fruit of Wild Grape can be eaten as a trail snack but tastes better after the first frost. Making juice from the grapes is a great way to benefit from their goodness. Also, since the grapes freeze well, they can be used for juice throughout the winter. The leaves are also edible. They can be eaten in a salad (they have a tangy citrusy taste) or cooked. On the other hand, Virginia creeper berries and leaves are toxic. They contain tiny crystals called oxalate crystals.  If chewed, they can cause irritation to the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat. Although rare, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing can occur. Heading back to the car, I pause to notice Timothy Grass is in bloom before taking one last look at the river as the morning sun reflects off the water.  

High in a canopy

Touching a cloud

Leaf of scarlet

Lost in the crowd

Time to let go

Time to break free

Tis the season

Fall from the tree

Waft thru branches 

Without a sound

Welcome to earth

Adorn the ground

 

D, DeGraaf

October 5

With a chill in the air and the early morning sun at my back, I’m standing on Isabella County’s Roland Rd. bridge as the Pine River flows gently under me. Descending the roadbed into the floodplain, I make my way gingerly toward the channel through a very wet stand of matted down Reed Canary grass. This cool-season perennial grass thrives in conditions like this. However, it’s highly invasive and spreads rapidly through rhizomes to produce dense stands, preventing the growth of native wetland species. Arriving at the bank, I look around to see the delicate web of an orb weaver as well as seed pods of Swamp Milkweed. Nearby, decaying tree trunks display rarely seen Liverwort and Elegant Sunburst Lichen. Also known as the “space lichen”, this species was sent to the International Space Station and exposed to the vacuum of space. After surviving for 18 months by drying up and going dormant, it began to grow when given water upon returning to Earth. Moving along the bank, I first hear the faint call of a solitary Chickadee and then spot a few berries of Bittersweet Nightshade. There is much disagreement over the toxicity of these berries. Some say that paralysis can result in humans that have eaten as few as six berries. Cases of poisoning in cattle, horses, and sheep have been documented. Concentrations of toxic compounds within plants may vary with growth stage, and chemical components may vary from one individual plant to the next. Working my way back to the road, a Maple tree with leaves changing colors catches my eye. After crossing the bridge, I begin to explore the far bank where I observe a Crane Fly resting in the undergrowth, a few berries still clinging to a Silky Dogwood bush and a Curly Dock plant loaded with seeds. As a relative of buckwheat, Dock seeds are edible. Nature foragers strip them from the stem and grind them into flour that is high in fiber and gluten free. Along the way, I notice lots of Joe-Pye weed fully seeded out and a decaying tree trunk loaded with aging and browning Oyster Mushrooms. Turning around, I make my way back toward the car where I’m surprised to see a few colorful blossoms, including White Sweet Clover and Red Clover Also, the colorful leaves and hips of a Wild Rose vine catches my eye. Back in the car, I take off down the road noticing “road apples” deposited by a half dozen Amish horse and buggies that I saw during my hour-long river encounter.

 

Back by your side, riverflow

Favorite season? Hard to know

Now it’s time for autumn’s show

Midstream mirrors the dazzling sun

amid maple red and aspen gold.

But, what about winter, riverflow

when drifts adorn the frozen shore.

Or, what about spring? When 

blossoms decorate barren banks.

And then there’s summer when

emerald walls line your channel wide.

Riverflow, back by your side.

 

D. DeGraaf

September 28

The midmorning temperature is 63 degrees under sunny skies as I turn west off Isabella County’s Britton Rd., onto a 2-track, drive for a ¼ mile along a powerline easement, park and walk another 100 yards to view the Pine River as it converges with Pony Creek. This creek is one of 20 tributaries included in the 425 square mile Pine River watershed. Midstream, I spot a large irrigation pipe hooked to a pump. There are several of these along this river system, supposedly sanctioned by the state DEQ, permitting farmers to draw out millions of gallons of water and raising questions about the long-term impact of such practices. From the bank, I follow the river down stream where I come upon several mature Musclewood trees with their fluted and tight bark resembling muscle tissue, hence the name. This slow-growing understory tree is also called Blue Beech or American hornbeam. The name “hornbeam” derives from its extremely hard wood that takes a “horn-like” polish and was once used by early Americans to make bowls and ox yokes. The “beam” in hornbeam refers to the beam of wood that separated the ox bows. Also, the strength of the wood and resistance to cracking makes it a useful for toolmaking, such as axe handles. Pausing again to take in the surroundings, I notice some signs of early autumn, including a maple leaf at my feet, Virginia Creeper leaves on the far shore as well as a few fallen leaves being carried downstream. Other signs of the season include dying bracken fern fronds, bright red stems(pedicels) on a Gray Dogwood shrub and a few ripe Autumn Olive berries (Autumn berries) that I pick and eat. Not only is the fruit edible but it is also rich in vitamins A, C, and E. While most people know Autumn Olive is highly invasive, some realize that using the berries for sauces and jam requires boiling the berries, killing the seeds thus reducing its spread. This method of control is much more adaptive than dousing it with herbicides. Continuing to explore the landscape, I notice a Bumblebee feeding on Aster blossoms and a Honeybee feeding on Goldenrod blossoms. Just ahead, I come upon some unripe fruit of both Ground Cherry (Husk Tomatoes) and never-before-seen, American Beautyberry. Before heading back, I make my way over to the edge of Pony Creek to take in the sights and sounds. Finally, back to the car for my trip home where I pass a few horse-drawn buggies and several large Amish farms that often include lumbermills. This Old Order Amish settlement that began in1983 when families moved to the area from Ohio grew to 60 families by 2014.

Tell me your secrets

River of worth

What tales untold

Meandering earth

What of your water

Is it toxic or clean

Can flora thrive

Can fish convene

What of autumn

Now on display

Do aspens and maples

Color your way

 

D. DeGraaf

 

September 21

For my second Pine River encounter in Isabella County, I find myself standing on the Pleasant Valley Rd. bridge as a gentle current moves south through a lush landscape. The midmorning temperature is in the mid 60’s under partly sunny, but hazy skies due to smoke being blown from massive wildfires on the west coast, some 2300 miles away. Nearby, while listening to a chorus of Orthopterans (Grasshoppers, Crickets & Katydids), I spot some bright red berries of Maple Leaf Viburnum and Clematis vines seeding out to where it gets the name, “Old Man’s Beard.” Next to the bridge, I notice a 1/8-inch Leafhopper on a Knapweed blossom as well as some honeybees moving among blossoms of white Aster. Climbing down along the bank, I come upon some Smartweed, displaying two different color blossoms, most likely an example of genetic polymorphism. Further ahead, I pause to scan a patch of Cinnamon ferns with dying fronds. Upon a closer view, I spot some of their dark spore stalks. Approaching the river’s edge, I stop to take in the scenic riparian landscape. Near my feet, I can hardly see a Green frog resting in the mud. Despite their name, these amphibians are not always green but come in a range of colors from beige, black, brown, yellow, blue and of course green. Working my way back, I come upon two plants with sticky burrs, Burdock and Cocklebur. Also, I notice some Ragweed that is seeding out. Despite its reputation as a source of hay fever, ragweed is surprisingly edible. There's evidence that Native Americans actually planted it and harvested the seeds. The seeds have a large percentage of crude protein. This would have been an important food source during long winters. A nutritious oil was also produced by crushing and boiling the seeds in water. Plant-based fats were almost unheard of, so ragweed oil was definitely anticipated and harvested each season. Interestingly enough, ragweed was also part of the early herbal pharmacy. The crushed leaves are astringent, so that makes them effective in treating bug bites and rashes. Modern science has also discovered that ragweed can help remove toxic heavy metals like lead from the soil. The plants can help clear up industrial waste and improve the soil. Finally, another visit complete, I head for home.

 

I welcome these days

When Egrets pass through

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

Cool and clear

I welcome autumn

Happy it’s here!

 

D. DeGraaf

September 14

It was last April when I began to follow the Pine River from its terminus in Midland County. While traveling upstream through Midland, Gratiot and Montcalm counties, I made 20 stops to explore the channel and its ecosystems. On this chilly, overcast morning, I’m at stop 21 in Isabella County pausing on the Fremont Rd. bridge to watch the river flow gently south along the edge of Coldwater Rd. Working my way along the bank, I notice some red Virginia Creeper leaves and a young Cocklebur plant. Since its burs get hopelessly tangled in the hair and fur of mammals, this is a plant to be avoided. Also, every part of it is extremely toxic to mammals and has caused many a death to livestock. Further along, I spot some Common Nettle plants loaded with green seeds. Despite the leaves causing skin to itch and burn if touched, the seeds are quite edible. They are tasty, crunchy and full of oil high in polyunsaturated fatty acids - predominantly linoleic and linolenic acids that our bodies use to make essential fatty acids. Just ahead, as a gust of wind from the north passes through, I observe the swaying blossoms of Joe-Pye Weed, some seeding out and a contracted flower head of Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot) that has a cage-like appearance. Grabbing the flower head and spreading it open with my fingers, I’m not surprised to find a ½-inch spotted caterpillar, larva of the Carrot-seed Moth (stock photo). This moth was first noticed in Midwestern North America in 2002. Some researchers suggest that it may have hitchhiked on a trans-Atlantic vessel that ended up at a Great Lakes port. Other sights along the bank include blossoms of White Turtlehead and Blue Vervain as well as the spiny 2-inch fruit of Wild Cucumber. Although this plant is related to the familiar, domestic vegetable, the prickly “cucumbers” are not edible. Nearby, I spot blossoms of Sky-blue Aster among Canadian Goldenrod and a large Goldenrod flower or bunch gall. This dense leaf growth is caused by a midge larva that disturbs normal leaf development. Continuing along the bank, I notice a Michigan Lily plant that once displayed its colorful blossoms (stock photo) has gone to seed, now displaying 1½ inch pods. Venturing off the main trail, I pass an Autumn Olive bush with some ripe fruit and then proceed through dense undergrowth back to the river’s edge. From here, I find my way back to the car and head for home. 

Seasons are changing

Nature gives and takes

One landscape fades

Another one awakes

Takes leaves of green

Gives us those of red

Takes away the flowers

Gives us seeds instead

Takes a redwing’s song

Gives us a cricket’s call

Takes away summer

Replaces it with fall

 

D. DeGraaf