June 28

It’s early morning as I enter another privately-owned, conservation easement east of Alma. As with last week’s property, the owner also contracted with the state to maintain this land for wildlife habitat. As a volunteer, I’m hiking this 38-acre parcel to check on his level of compliance. With mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the mid 60’s and a stiff south wind, I head north on a perimeter, 2-track, where I spot my first Monarch of the season and then pause to enjoy a lovely Song Sparrow serenade. Leaving the trail, I turned east into a large grassland where I notice another resting Monarch as well as blossoms of Shepherd’s Purse and Yarrow. One of the pleasures of summer is to crush a few Yarrow leaves and take in their pleasant, spicy aroma. Most folks agree that it smells like a combination of rosemary, oregano and other cooking herbs. Also, deer tracks and a mixed patch of Mayweed with Canadian Thistle catch my eye. Approaching one of several small ponds within the easement, I watch a pair of Hooded Mergansers swimming and diving. These diving ducks have long, serrate bills, like pinking shears, for grabbing small, slippery fish, their primary food source. Also, they feed on crayfish, other crustaceans and aquatic insects. Hooded mergansers are common in the Great Lakes region. However, data on population size and status are tenuous due to their secretive nature. In addition, these ducks winter along the Mississippi Flyway as well as Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Along the muddy shore, I come upon some ¼ inch Rams-horn snail shells. These gastropods are primarily detritivores, grazing on decaying plants, dead organisms and algae. They also play a role in the aquatic food web by serving as prey for fish, turtles and birds, On the far shore of the pond, I notice a foraging Spotted Sandpiper. Nearby, yellow blossoms of Rocket Cress and Wild Mustard catch my eye as well as a 6-inch, vacant Painted Turtle shell. A shell like this one, left in average conditions will take about 50 years to fully decompose, about the same  time it takes for human bones to decompose. Making my way back toward the car, I come upon a stand of Swamp Willows displaying yellow flowers. Just ahead, I spot a ½ inch Chickweed Geometer moth basking in the morning sun. Near the car, tiny pink bellflowers of Spreading Dogbane catch my eye.

 

End of the month

Start of the day

Summer sounds

Sights along the way

Dawn’s early light

Sunrise mystique

Pausing at a pond

Green frogs speak

Edge of the meadow

Whitetails reside

Mother Nature

Stride for stride

 

D. DeGraaf

June 21

It’s early morning as I enter a privately-owned, 24-acre conservation easement just east of Alma. Years ago, the owner contracted with the state to maintain this land for wildlife habitat. As a volunteer, I monitor the property annually and report on the level of compliance. Under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50’s, I head east on a grassy, perimeter path while being serenaded by a Song sparrow and a House wren. On the ground along the way. I spot blossoms of Oxeye daisy and Plantain as well as a hole made by a burrowing Crayfish. Called a crayfish chimney, the animal (stock photo) tunnels down to ground water with its claws, piling mounds of dirt as it digs. These burrows create habitats not just for crayfish, but also for other organisms. For example, the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake as well as certain dragonfly larvae rely heavily on them for shelter and reproduction. Veering north off the path, I trudge through tall, wet grass where I’m greeted by a noisy, hovering, male Red-winged Blackbird who is warning me to stay away from an active nest. These birds will even “dive-bomb” intruders-man or beast. Also in flight, they have been known to drive away much larger birds who approach the nest. Moving into a wetland, I come across cattail flowers in various stages of development. The familiar brown cylinder shape are last years’ female flowers that have gone to seed. To the right, the top of a new stem displays a dark green area of tightly packed male flowers topped by a brown area where some are already releasing pollen. Below the constriction is a lighter green area of closely packed female flowers. Pausing by a pond, I listen to the piercing sound of Redwing blackbirds followed by the strumming sound of a Green Frog. Turning west, I make my way toward some dense stands of young Cottonwood trees where I spot a couple of old Goldenrod ball galls. At an earlier stage, the center of these galls contained tiny larvae of Goldenrod gall flies (stock photo) that were eaten by a Downy Woodpecker after pecking holes in the galls. Approaching the landowner’s gravel driveway, I spot a Killdeer running quickly south and a Spotted Sandpiper strutting slowly north. Hiking south on the long driveway toward the car, I notice a couple more Killdeer flying ahead. Near the end, a patch of Bird’s feet Trefoil and Yellow Sweet Clover catch my eye.

Creatures of earth

Bask in the sun

Those that crawl

Those that run

Those that soar 

Those that fly

Warms their air

Lights their sky

Season’s crescendo

Nature’s encore

Solstice of summer

Arrives once more

 

D. DeGraaf

June 14

For my final encounter with the north branch of the Pine River, I’m standing on the edge of Jefferson Rd., west of Lumberjack Rd., looking north as water flows gently underneath. The early morning weather is sunny and humid with temperatures in the upper 60’s as I look around, noticing blooming Viburnum and Meadow-rue. Reed Canary grass and Brome grass are also in bloom. Along the far bank, barely visible at the water’s edge, are blossoms of Bittersweet Nightshade. Descending the roadbed into a densely-wooded, pathless flood plain, I spot a Common Grackle and a Baltimore Oriole perched close to the top of a dead ash tree. Nearby, I hear a Catbird and Redwing calling from the thick underbrush. At the river’s edge, I spend a few minutes observing a spider web, containing a 1-inch, Long-jawed Orb Weaver spider. Upon a closer look, I can see the long, jaw-like projections. called chelicerae,between its long front legs. This spider subdues its prey by holding it with its legs and injecting poison/digestive juices through fangs located at the tips of the chelicerae. Looking at the web itself, I see it doesn’t have as many radii, or "spokes," as those of true orb weavers like the Garden spider (stock photo). Just ahead, I notice an inch-long Dusky Slug crawling slowly on a Skunk Cabbage leaf as the morning sun reflects off the river surface. Trudging back to the road to explore the ditches, I come upon Wood Anemone mixed with Club Moss as well as Wild Asparagus.  On the other side, I find Curly Dock, Wild Carrot and Milkweed. Also, a ¼ inch Green Bottle fly, basking in the sun, catches my attention. This fly is important in forensic science. Since it’s one of the first dipteran to feed on a human corpse, the developmental stage of its larva is used to estimate the time of death or the minimum portion of the post-mortem interval (PMI). Also, this fly is important in wound treatment when conventional treatments fail to heal. Called maggot therapy, larvae are placed on a wound where they feed on the necrotic (dead) tissue and bacteria. This activity restores healthy tissue not only by larvae eating the dead tissue but also secreting antimicrobial enzymes. Finally, I bid farewell to this watercourse as it flows peacefully southward toward the main branch of the Pine, about a ¼ mile downstream. 

 

Spring bids farewell

Fledglings learn to fly

Posing in the sun

Garter snakes lie

Along the lush banks

More and more green

On floating logs

Turtles can be seen

Trees shade the sun

Above the river deep

Nature hits her stride

Promises to keep

 

D, DeGraaf

June 7

The early afternoon weather is pleasantly sunny as my wife, Caroline along with our new puppy, Riley join me for a hike at the 160-acre, Camp Cutler where I seek another encounter with the north branch of the Pine River. Heading east through an open field, I watch breeze-blown leaves high in a tall Aspen tree while listening to a chorus of crickets. Scattered among the meadow grasses are patches of Red Sorrel, a few Oxeye daisies and green stems with white globs of froth that hide tiny insects called Spittle Bugs (stock photo). Arriving at the scenic riverbank, I pause on a footbridge to see the water flow gently south and listen to lovely bird songs. Moving into a broadleaf forest, I notice the canopy above is nearly covered as well as the bird-like sound of an Eastern Chipmunk. Turning north, I follow a trail where I spot a yellow blossom of Cinquefoil at my feet as well an oak apple wasp gall. This walnut-size, spongy sphere represents a part of one of nature’s fascinating life cycles. After mating in the fall, a ¼ inch sexual female wasp (stock photo) drops to the ground, burrows into the soil and injects her eggs into the roots of an oak tree. When the eggs hatch in spring, the larvae feed on the roots before entering the pupa stage (stock photo). After pupation, a wingless, adult female emerges from the soil, crawls up the tree trunk, finds a leaf, and injects a single egg into the midrib. The egg hatches and the larva feeds on the leaf causing a chemical reaction that results in the formation of the gall.  Fibers extend from the center to the walls of the gall to keep the larvae safe and secure (stock photo). In summer, the larva pupates, and finally, an adult wasp exits the gall by making a hole. Mating occurs and females burrow into the ground to lay eggs and begin the cycle again. Just ahead, I come upon tiny fiddle heads of bracken ferns and a 1-inch White Slant-line Moth resting on fern frons. Turning around, I once again crossover the river and stop to observe a Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly feeding on blossoms of Trailing Blackberry. Nearby, I notice a Wild Geranium blossom surrounded by Poison Ivy as well as a Blue Beech tree displaying hanging fruiting bodies. While retracing my steps back through the meadow, I spot a resting Fritillary butterfly. Finally, we get back to the car, drink some water and head for home.

 

Pine River 

Freely you flow

Around the bend

Miles to go

Waste not the water

Beautify the banks

For this watercourse

Gratitude and thanks

More than a stream

More than a creek

Preserve the Pine

River unique

 

D. DeGraaf

May 31

It’s early morning as I make my way through a remote, woodland while being serenaded by the familiar song of a Robin. With partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s, I’m once again in the Edmore State Game Area proceeding west toward another encounter with the North Branch of the Pine River. Passing through muddy lowlands with pooling water, I spot a few Cinnamon ferns displaying their spore stalks as well as patches of Sensitive ferns and Skunk Cabbage, some with huge, 18-inch leaves. Beside the trail, I see my first Daisy Fleabane blossoms of the year as well as blossoms of Wild Columbine. Getting closer to the river channel, I come upon an unfamiliar ¾-inch moth resting on a leaf. The best I can tell, it’s a Powdered Big Wing moth. The name “powdered” refers to tiny scales on their wings that look and act like dust. These scales, which are actually tiny hairs, help create the intricate patterns you see on its wings. These patterns appear in dull colors such as brown and black. Most moths fly at night, so they don't need the bright colors of butterflies. The dull colors help a moth camouflage itself as it perches during the day. Because a moth is active at night, scales provide an insulating layer to help the moth stay warm. Overhead, a flock of noisy geese fly in formation with 2 stragglers trying to catch up. Reaching the river’s edge, I take in the lush surroundings of late spring. Exploring the flood plain, yellow blossoms of Buttercup and Butterweed catch my eye. Butterweed is toxic to both cattle and horses. Even deer avoid it. The plant contains an alkaloid called pyrrolizidine which causes liver damage. Cattle and horses who dine on this plant don’t just drop dead but decline in health and eventually die. Back to the river’s edge, I pause to watch the water flow gently past. Turning back toward the car, I come upon my first Ebony Jewel wing damselfly of the season as well as a colorful, 1-inch Pearl Crescent Butterfly. As the rays of a rising sun begin to penetrate the forest, I spot blossoms from a nearby Hawthorn tree as well as a Jack-in-the-pulpit. Nearing the car, I see a pile of sawdust on a fallen log, evidence of Carpenter ants at work.

 

Running fast, running slow

Carries leaves, broken twigs

Around a bend, on you flow

Water striders, Whirligigs

 

Swollen channel, banks erode

Cattail seeds, floating logs

Water treasure, precious load

Mallard ducks, leopard frogs

 

Summer rapids, winter ice

Earth’s resource, life giver

Too important to sacrifice

North branch, Pine River

 

D. DeGraaf

May 24

I welcome the early morning sun and temperatures in the upper 40’s as I make my way north through a section of the Edmore State Game Area toward the north branch of the Pine River, as I continue to explore the length of this watercourse. Along the way, I pause to scan a field dotted with hundreds of dewy irregular cobwebs as well as a few circular webs such as this one managed by a Spotted Orb Weaver. During the day, these spiders will either sit motionless in the web or move off. If prey becomes ensnared, a trap line will vibrate and the spider will investigate; if it is “meal worthy”, it will bite it to immobilize it and wrap it with silk to eat later. If not meal worthy, it will be ignored or ejected from the web. At night, the orb weaver is more active, working to repair damage to the web and sitting in the middle. For some species, once morning comes, the spider will tear down the web, eat most of the silk and rebuild a new one. Next, some cherry tree blossoms catch my eye including Pin cherry and Chokecherry. Following a muddy,  2-track into a wooded area, I notice a few cottony Aspen seeds on the ground as well as deer and raccoon tracks. Bird songs that catch my attention include a House Wren and Yellow Throat. Further ahead, I stop to look and listen to a perching Cat bird singing its mimicking songs. At my feet, I spot colorful blossoms of Wild Geranium and Ground Ivy. About a ½ mile from the car, I reach the river’s edge and pause to watch it flow gently southeasterly while listening to the piercing call of a Pileated Woodpecker. High above the riverbank, I spot a perching male Cowbird while nestled in the underbrush are a few blades of, never-before-seen, blood grass. Native to Japan, a green variety of this species is an extremely invasive weed and thus has been banned or quarantined in some southern US states. Fortunately, it is less aggressive in this climate. Turning around and heading back, I come upon a Scotch Pine displaying clusters of upright buds called candles. Clusters include a dominant candle surrounded by secondary ones. Left in place, the dominant candle becomes a long straight branch and the secondary ones grow into the side branches. Nearing the car, I pick up the song of a Chipping Sparrow coming from a leafed-out Maple.

 

Out of rain clouds you come

Droplets for the dirt

Liquid for the living

Let it be so, River-flow

Over landscapes you come

Draining and descending

Converging and connecting

Let it be so, River-flow

Past bushy banks you come

Moving and meandering

Eroding and extending

Let it be so, River-flow

 

D. DeGraaf 

May 17

The early morning wind is calm, sky is blue and the air is cold (upper 30’s) as I hike among rolling sand dunes on an isthmus separating Muskegon Lake to the east and Lake Michigan to the west (stock photo). After passing by a couple of deer, I can barely see a Wood duck drake wading in one of the marshy depressions. Continuing to explore the sandy ground, I come upon a few tiny white blossoms of Rock Cress and spikelets of Green Bulrush scattered among a sea of American Beach grass, some of which display seed heads. Nearby, another marshy depression displays a perching Green Heron. This bird forages mostly by standing still or stalking very slowly at the edge of shallow water, waiting for prey to approach. Sometimes uses "bait," dropping feather or small twig on surface of water to lure fish within striking distance. In the same area, two generations of Cattails are revealed including: young green sprouts as well as old fluffy seed heads. Approaching the western shore of Muskegon Lake, I pause to imagine a massive 200 ft sand dune that once stood here, called Pigeon Hill (stock photo). It was nesting ground for thousands of Passenger pigeons, thus earning its name. At the start of the 19th century, these pigeons were the most common bird in North America and possibly the entire world, with a population estimated at five billion. Due to rampant hunting, deforestation and disease, the bird was extinct by 1914. Walking along the beach, I notice sand ripples under the clear still lake water as well as a Ring-billed gull just offshore. Ahead, I stop to examine an old concrete block that represents a more recent part of this dune’s history. Between the 1930’s and 1960’s, Pigeon Hill was leveled as tons of sand were mined and shipped for making glass (stock photo). Down the beach, I spot a Tree Swallow perching on a white birch tree and a Spotted Sandpiper perching off-shore on a boulder. Turning around, I head back over the dunes where I observe a young Red Oak tree with its male flowers that look like drooping clusters of green peas. After watching the morning sun peak through a stand of pine trees, I notice some of the trees have apple-size growths, called Western Gall Rush. The growth is due to a fungal infection spread from pine tree to pine tree that may cause stunting and dieback of branches leading to death of the tree. Finally, I make it back to our week-end rental in time for a coffee break.

 

Out of the furnace you came

Earth’s depths

Molten melange

Over eons you came

Magma to mountains

Mountains to boulders

Wind and water

Weathered and worn

Rounded and rolled

Onto the dune you came

Wind-swept grains

Sand at my feet

 

D. DeGraaf