September 26

On this last day of astronomical summer, I’m hiking with wife, Caroline, dog, Riley and friends at Hall’s Lake Natural Area in western Isabella County. Combining three of Chippewa Watershed Conservancy preserves, this 170-acre property is located along the eastern shore of 68-acre Hall’s Lake, near the village of Remus. The temperatures are in the mid 70’s under partly sunny skies with a refreshing breeze as we follow an earthen trail through a dense woodland where the damp, leaf litter reveals dozens of large, yellow-orange Fly Agaric mushrooms. This mushroom is both poisonous and psychoactive to humans. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, involuntary movements, delirium and seizures. In northern climates, reindeer go to great lengths to seek out this hallucinogenic mushroom. Eating the fungi makes them behave drunkenly, run about aimlessly and make strange noises. Herders in Europe and Asia have long collected reindeer urine as a safer way of taking this hallucinogen. The common name, Fly Agaric is a reference to the using this mushroom as an insecticide. In some European countries caps are crumbled up and placed in saucers of milk to attract house flies. As flies drink the spiked milk, they become drowsy, collapse and die. Other fungi I notice nearby include a cluster of Honey Mushrooms that are best eaten after cooking and Coral Mushrooms that can be eaten raw, so I sample a small piece. As the trail approaches the lake, amphibians catch my eye including a 1-inch American Toad and a 3-inch Leopard Frog. Further ahead, I come upon an ornate, grape-size Oak apple gall that had fallen to the ground from an overhead tree (stock photo). This gall contains the larva of a wasp (stock photo) that feeds on inner tissue before pupating into an adult and breaking out. Arriving at the west trailhead, I look over at Hall’s Lake shoreline, see this wonderful preserve and reflect on the large amount of time, effort and financial resources it took by property owners in partnership with the Conservancy to make it a reality. Turning around and heading back to the car, I pause to observe a small white sphere moving over the leaf litter. Upon closer look, I see it’s a 1-inch, female Wolf Spider towing a silk sac full of 100 or so eggs. Once hatched, these tiny babies raise their abdomen and shoot out a small string of silk. When done correctly, this silk catches in the breeze and carries the babies off. Scientists think they do this to avoid competition with other siblings. 

 

Orb of the earth

Star of the day

Your path is sure

You do not stray

Solstice to solstice

Halfway there

Summer has set

Chill in the air

Sustainer of life

Warming sphere

Sun of autumn

Glad you’re here

 

D. DeGraaf

September 19

This morning, for my 3^rd encounter with Pine Creek, I’m on the Luce Rd. bridge, watching this watercourse flow slowly southwest toward Rainbow Lake, about a mile downstream. The skies are partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I explore the bank, noticing a few Yellow Toadflax (Butter-and-Eggs) blossoms and a couple of Common Teasel plants, one still in bloom and one seeding out. The distinctive seed heads are popular in floral arrangements. Originally from Europe and northern Africa, this plant was first introduced to North America in the 1700's and has since spread from coast to coast. Working my way upstream, I first look down to the grassy ground where tiny leaves of a Virginia Creeper vine have turned bright red and then look up to see a Black Walnut tree displaying some green husks. After pausing to observe the placid creek surface, I explore the earthen trail while noticing some acorns of Bur Oak with their shaggy, bur-like coverings. Moving up the high bank, I spot blossoms of Bluestem Goldenrod and patches of Crown-tipped Coral mushrooms. These mushrooms can be eaten raw but are most often cooked as they can cause an upset stomach in some consumers. Descending a steep bank to the water’s edge, I see that the creek surface is completely covered with Duckweed which does block sunlight and inhibits algae growth. Algae produce oxygen and a sudden loss of algae means that fish can become stressed and die off. Walking along the floodplain, I spot white blossoms of Turtlehead. Native to North America, this plant is an important host for certain butterflies whose larvae feed on the leaves. It also attracts pollinators such a bees and hummingbirds. Working my way back toward the car, I’m not surprised to see a crawling Wooly Bear Caterpillar. This larva of an Isabella Tiger Moth (stock photo) will feed through the fall before going into a semi hibernation state through the winter.  Next spring it will pupate, form a cocoon and emerge as an adult moth. According to folklore, the wider the Woolly Bear's black bands, the longer, colder, snowier, and more severe the winter will be. Similarly, the wider the middle brown band, the milder the upcoming winter will be. However, the truth is the caterpillar's coloring is based on how long it has been feeding, its age, and species. The better the growing season, the wider the black bands on the ends and narrower brown band in its middle.  Also, the coloring indicates the age of the caterpillar.

 

Takes leaves of green

Gives us those of red

Takes a fading meadow

Gives us yellow instead

Takes a redwing’s song

Gives us a cricket’s call

Takes away summer

Gives us another fall

Seasonal transitions

Nature gives and takes

After months of sleep

Lady Autumn awakes

 

D. DeGraaf

September 12

Under overcast skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s, I’m about a mile upstream from my last encounter with Pine Creek, standing on the south end of impounded Rainbow Lake, watching water flow through the dam’s spillway to form the creek as it flows south toward Maple Rapids. In the early 1960’s, Pine Creek was dammed to form the 300-acre Rainbow Lake. During the great flood of 1986, the dam was breached and the lake was drained (stock photo). In 1989, the dam was rebuilt and the lake restored. Following a path on a high bank of the creek, I notice some blossoms of Queen Anne’s Lace remain open while others have folded up and seeded out. After opening one of these cup-like “nests”, I’m not surprised to see a live, colorful, ½ inch, Carrot Seed Moth Caterpillar. The invasive moth from this caterpillar (stock photo) was first noticed in North America in 2002. Some researchers suggest that the moth may have hitchhiked on a trans-Atlantic vessel that ended up at a Great Lakes port. So far, this insect has had minimal impact on the ecosystem. Up ahead, I spot the conspicuous white rump patch of a Northern Flicker as it flies away and perches in a nearby tree where it repeats its loud, single-note call. Scanning the sky, I watch an Osprey circle overhead and land at the top of a nearby cell-phone tower. Ospreys, also called fish hawks, are excellent anglers. Over several studies, these birds of prey caught fish on at least 1 in every 4 dives, with success rates sometimes as high as 70 percent. The average time they spent hunting before making a catch was about 12 minutes. Walking back toward the car, I observe a Great Blue Heron standing on a dock. Back in the car, I head north about halfway up the lake and stop at a small park to explore the shoreline where I spot pale green berries of Poison Ivy and red berries of Maple-leaf Viburnum. In a few weeks, the toxic Poison Ivy berries will turn white and the toxic leaves red.  Also, in a few weeks, the Viburnum berries will ripen to a dark blue color. While many types of Viburnum berries are edible and tasty, those of the Maple-Leaf variety are edible but not tasty. Nearby, I come upon a few stems of Common Teasel, topped with spiny seed pods and Hickory leaves displaying a condition called leaf spot, caused by a fungal pathogen. Moving down to the water’s edge, a yellow blossom of Nodding beggarticks catches my eye. Looking across the lake, I observe a wooded section of shoreline that remains undeveloped while most of it is occupied by high-end housing.

 

Late in summer

Nature’s décor

Sun shares less

Asters share more

Nests are empty

Redwings gone

Vigilant, the doe

Bolder, the fawn

Marsh still alive

Dragonflies hover

Blue Herons wade

More to discover

 

D. DeGraaf

September 5

The early morning temperature is in the upper 60’s, under mostly sunny skies as I pause to listen to a chorus of insects (crickets, katydids, cicadas) and a Mourning Dove while watching the water of Pine Creek flow south into the Maple River. I’m just north of Clinton County’s village of Maple Rapids to begin my quest to follow Pine Creek upstream through impounded Rainbow Lake to its source, some 14 miles north of here in Gratiot County. Scanning the ground, I catch a glimpse of a 3-inch Northern Leopard Frog, hiding in the dew-covered grass. Over the past thirty years, this species of frog has suffered dramatic population decline across its western range. Factors that contributed to this decline, include habitat loss and degradation; introduction of exotic predators, such as nonnative fish, bullfrogs and crayfish; introduction of disease and pesticides and climate change effects on aquatic habitats. Looking around, I locate both yellow blossoms of Canadian Goldenrod and green blossoms of Common Ragweed. To clarify a common misconception, it’s the light-weight, wind-blown pollen of Ragweed that is the primary allergen for those who suffer from autumn “hay fever”, not the heavier pollen of Goldenrod that rarely becomes airborne. Further upstream, I notice the creek water is stagnate and covered in duckweed. Along the lush bank, I spot orange blossoms of Jewel Weed and yellow blossoms of Jerusalem Artichoke. This plant has roots of fleshy tubers (stock photo) that are edible and taste something like nuts and artichokes. Other blossoms seen include Wild Cucumber and Pennsylvania Smartweed. These plants are called smartweed because they have a sharp, peppery flavor and their plant juice makes one’s eyes run. Considered an herb, the entire plant is used to make medicine. People take smartweed tea to stop bleeding from hemorrhoids, as well as menstrual bleeding and other uterine bleeding. They also use it to treat diarrhea. Just ahead, the edible fruit of Elderberry and the inedible fruit of Pokeweed catch my eye. Eating Pokeberries can pose a risk for birds, particularly late in the year. It seems the berries will sometimes ferment, intoxicating birds that eat them. Although all parts of Pokeweed – berries, roots, leaves and stems – are poisonous to humans, some folks take the risk of eating poke salad each spring. Continuing upstream, I come upon a patch of ¾ inch Bonnet Cap mushrooms growing on a decayed log. Although these little mushrooms are considered edible, they are quite insubstantial, certainly not highly prized and not worth collecting to eat. Approaching the car, another early sign of autumn catches my eye: Virginia Creeper leaves turning red. At the car, suddenly a Great Blue Heron flies my way, sees me, turns around and flies away.

 

Scenes from my weekly walk

Song of a dove, sight of a hawk

Frogs that hop, leaves that sway

Sunrise at the break of day

Muskrat swims among the reeds

Wind blows the milkweed seeds

On the ground, a garter snake

On the pond, a mallard drake

Sky above and earth below

Nature’s late summer show

 

D. DeGraaf

August 29

My early morning hike in Traverse City’s 62-acre, Pelizzari Natural Area starts under partly sunny skies, temperatures in the upper 50’s and a gentle westerly breeze. Following a two-track through a large meadow, I notice the deep red fruit of young female Staghorn Sumac trees. This plant gets its common name from the coarse branches covered with fine hairs that resemble deer antlers in velvet. The bristly red hairs covering the fruit are filled with tart ascorbic acid that are easily rendered into a sumac-ade drink. On either side of the trail, I recognize blossoms of two invasive species: Hoary Alyssum and Spotted Knapweed. Nearby, on the branch of a small Red Oak tree, I observe a woody growth called a Gouty Oak Gall. Mated females of a tiny, non-stinging wasp (stock photo) deposit eggs on young oak twigs that induce the tree to produce this growth that enlarges over time. This growth, called a gall, provides protection, food, and shelter for the developing larvae. When the larvae reach adulthood, they emerge from the gall to start the cycle again. Though not aesthetically pleasing, most galls cause little damage to the tree. Continuing east into a dense deciduous forest. I spot my first White Aster blossoms of the year, an early sign of the season to come. Up ahead, I come upon freshly-chipped wood created by a feeding Pileated Woodpecker and the stripped trunk of a pine tree created by a feeding porcupine. Other sightings include unripe fruit of Maple-Leaf Viburnum and ripe fruit of White Baneberry. Hiking the hilly terrain toward the rising sun, my attention is drawn to the call of a Red-Eyed Vireo. After pausing to scan a large glade, I turn around, re-enter the dense forest and make my way through a mature pine plantation. Further ahead, the trail reveals decaying leaf litter of Oak, Aspen, Beech and Pine. Back through the large meadow, I pause as a breeze sways a small Aspen tree whose leaves are starting to change into their autumn colors. Nearing the car, I can barely see a ½ inch Green Lacewing perched on a stem. A common sight in this habitat, this insect is a beneficial predator, best known for feeding on aphids but will also control mites and other soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, leafhoppers, mealybugs and whiteflies The larva is brown and white (stock photo) and may grow up to a ½ inch. Called an aphidlion, it is a voracious feeder, attacking aphids with large, curved, hollow mandibles. While rare, lacewing larvae do bite humans resulting in nothing more than a small skin irritation. 

 

Waning days of August

Nature waxing still

Goldenrod jewels

Crown the grassy hill

Gems of purple aster

Sparkling as well

Tapestry of green

Coloring the dell

Draping the pine

Creeper leaves red

Summer falls behind

Autumn dead ahead

 

D. DeGraaf

August 22

Under sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50’s, I begin my morning hike at the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s Millpond Nature Area. Recently established, this 17-acre preserve is located along the Chippewa River in the city of Mt. Pleasant, adjoining Chipp-A-Waters Park. The property was purchased with the assistance of a grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. In addition to the purchase, the grant will fund five years of site restoration including the removal of invasive species and the reintroduction of native plants. With no trails to follow, I make my way along the riverbank where I spot a female Mallard floating downstream. On the muddy shore, I can barely make out a ½-inch American toadlet. What’s surprising about these toadlets is that they are so tiny compared to adult toads. For example, there is no such thing as mini-bullfrogs. Tadpoles of “true toads” metamorphose at a very small size, often all at once, and then disperse. Where tadpoles are plentiful, dozens or even hundreds of these tiny toadlets are seen hopping around. Nearby, I recognize tracks of raccoon and deer while just of shore, water striders are seen skating next to a partially submerged tree trunk. Turning inland, I come upon some Dryad saddle fungi growing on a decayed log. These fungi grow fresh edible caps first thing in spring and then again now as temperatures cool down. Hiking gingerly through a dense woodland of maple, cottonwood, boxelder and ash (both alive and dead), I spot a 1-inch perching Crane Fly and a scattering of Virginia Knotweed. Up ahead, a pile of deer scat (summer version) is seen. This softer, moist scat means the deer was hydrated compared to dry winter scat (stock photo) when drinking water is scare. Within one of several glades, I notice a few tall stems of Stinging Nettle displaying their hanging bead-like flowers. However, most of the area is blanketed with the shorter False Nettle displaying their dense tube-like flowers. Unlike, Stinging Nettle, False Nettle does not have prickly leaves emitting acid that when touched, causes skin irritation. Nearing the car, I notice some leaves of a cherry tree have tiny spindles growing on their surface. Called spindle galls, they do not seriously harm the tree; instead, they’re homes of tiny garden mites (stock photo). In the spring, these mites emerge from their hiding places under bark and bud scales to begin feeding on the newly opened leaves. Usually, the most serious effect is that infected leaves are tricked into encapsulating the mite, thus forming the very noticeable gall. 

 

Season of summer

Leaves its mark

Cicadas whine

Dawn to dark

Thistle seeds

Fuzzy white

Finches of gold

Sing in flight

Meadow green

Won’t surrender

Mother Nature

In all her splendor

 

D. DeGraaf 

August 15

The midday sky is overcast with temperatures in the upper 70’s and a light westerly breeze, as I begin exploring Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s 1-acre nature preserve on the shore of tiny Lake Steven in Montcalm County. A strip of open field next to the road display pink blossoms of Joe-Pye-weed and white blossoms of Boneset. Native Americans used Boneset to treat many ailments. Many say the fused, opposite leaves led to the notion that this plant could help heal and strengthen bones. Others say that pioneers called these plants “boneset” because they used them to treat fevers that made one’s bones ache. Nearby, I come across a Yellow-collared Scape moth resting on a leaf. This moth is unusual in that it is one of few that fly during daylight. Because it is vulnerable to visual predators, it must have special protections to survive. The black with a yellow “collar” is suggestive of warning coloration. Some authors suggest the moths are mimicking dangerous wasps or other insects. Still exploring the field, I spot a Pearl Crescent butterfly on a Sow Thistle blossom. On another Sow Thistle blossom, I notice a Hoverfly while on a Chicory blossom, I notice another one. Often mistaken for a bee or wasp, Hoverflies are common predators of aphids and other small, slow-moving insects. The larvae are tiny legless maggots that range in color from creamy-white to green or brown. (stock photo). Moving toward the lake shore, I pass through a small, dense woods with surprisingly a large variety of broadleaf trees including birch, maple, oak, cherry, mulberry, ash, hickory and willow. Even a few evergreens are seen including pine and cedar. Pausing at the shoreline of what really is an outflow channel of the lake, I see the surface water is choked with a thick blanket of Lily pads. Upon closer look, I spot a lovely white water lily blossom. This blossom is either day 2 or 3 of a 3-day life of this flower. On the first day, the petals are not fully open and thus form a cup-like structure (stock photo) filled with a fluid containing sugars. Beetles and bees enter the flower and often fall into the fluid, which washes off pollen onto the stigma and fertilizes the flower. On the second and third days, no fluid is produced, and the flowers open wide. Insects that land on the flower on these days get covered with pollen and transport it to flowers that are just opening and hence receptive to pollination. On the fourth day, the whole structure is pulled underwater, where the seeds mature in a seed pod (stock photo). Finally, I turn around and find my way back toward the car.

Far from motors 

That race on roads

Door opens to 

Noises of nature

Song of a Sora

Chorus of crickets

Fugue of frogs

Cardinal calls

Redwings respond

Chipmunks chime in

Music of the marsh

 

D. DeGraaf