December 30

The early morning temperatures are in the low 30’s under cloudy skies as I enter a narrow, snow-covered trail that winds its way through a dense forest of aging conifers on the east side of Alma’s Conservation Park (stock photo). The trail then curves south past a variety of tree trunks. Because Red Pine trees grow tall and straight and the wood is strong, they are often lumbered for utility poles. The trail then curves north past a Boxelder tree. Box elders are generally considered a “weedy” tree and are held in pretty low regard by most people. They reproduce and spread rapidly as well as hosting swarms of Box Elder bugs. The trail then curves east past a young Maple tree. Dead leaves sometimes stay on trees because their abscission layer is not fully developed, allowing them to remain attached through winter, potentially protecting buds from harsh weather, deterring browsing animals like deer, or providing a layer of insulation. This phenomenon is most commonly seen on Beech trees. The trail proceeds south and then to the southeast past a large Maple trunk. Sap flow in early winter is primarily caused by the temperature fluctuations needed for it to run, with freezing nights and warmer days being the ideal conditions. The trail then curves back to the east past a Red Cedar Tree.  A significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. The blue fruits on the female trees are consumed by a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cedar Waxwing songbird, which is named for this tree. The trail loops back to the west where crows are heard. American Crows can be considered partially migratory. That is, some populations migrate, others are resident, and in others only some of the crows migrate. These crows in the southern parts of their range appear to be resident and do not migrate. The trail then turns back to the east where I see Red squirrel tracks. These squirrels mainly feed on the seeds and cones of evergreen trees. However, they will also eat bird eggs, berries, and fruit when they are available. During the summer, they collect and hide seeds and nuts so they have food storage during winter. Next, the trail curves back to the west to the edge of the forest. The trail then proceeds west across the easement. Prairies are temperate grasslands made up mostly of warm season grasses, sedges, and flowering plants such as Sunflowers, Cone flowers and Bergamot.These ecosystems are among the most decimated and threatened natural communities in the Midwest. Finally, the trail turns sharply to the north and proceeds to the end.

Winter arrives

December departs

Over the snow

Red squirrel darts

Clouds of gray

Pines of green

Among branches

Bluejay seen

Ice-covered pond

Descending fog

Tracks on trail

Moss on log

 

D. DeGraaf

December 23

Under mostly cloudy skies, scattered ground fog and temperatures in the low 30’s, I find myself hiking in a section of the massive Maple River State Game Area, east of US 127, between Ithaca and St. Johns. Heading east on a path of crushed asphalt, I look afar to see a curious Whitetail deer watching me, while to my right, I notice a muddy pond covered with a green slime. Upon a closer look, I see a mixture of Duckweed and Water meal. These surface floating plants thrive in water containing unwanted nutrients from geese droppings, lawn fertilizer and agricultural run-off. A dense layer of these plants can block sunlight, preventing underwater plants and algae from photosynthesizing and producing oxygen, killing native aquatic organisms. Along the way, I observe snowcapped seed heads of Buttonbush, Motherwort and Wild Carrot. Scanning the wetlands, I spot a 4 ft wide x 3 ft high Muskrat lodge dusted with snow. These mammals build their lodges, with cattails, mud and other materials cleared from the marsh. The lodge has an underwater entrance chewed out from the inside, creating a shelter that protects them from predators and weather. Besides lodges, muskrats also build smaller platforms (stock photo) for resting and feeding. They don’t just use cattails for lodges, but for food as well, eating virtually every part of the plant. Turning south, I follow a 2-track lined with snow-capped seed heads of the invasive Common Teasel, on my right. This plant is a threat to pastures, natural areas, and roadsides. It was introduced to the United States in the 1700s when it was used in the textile industry to raise the nap on woolen cloth, meaning it was used to brush the surface of the fabric with the dried, prickly heads of the teasel plant (stock photo) to pull out loose fibers and create a soft, fluffy texture on the wool, essentially making it appear plusher and warmer. Soon thereafter, it escaped cultivation and spread throughout the United States. Also to my right, down in a narrow, iced covered creek, I notice an open channel created by swimming muskrats. Heading back to the car, I’m surprised to come upon a Red Maple tree in bloom, displaying red flower clusters. Usually this tree blooms in late winter or early spring. Also, I spot a 4-inch long red winter twig sprouting from a nearby maple trunk.  With a break in the cloud cover, I catch a brief glimpse of the morning sun, recognizing its low elevation above the horizon, only a few days since the winter solstice and the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere.

Time once again

To recognize you

In gratitude

For all you do

For every plant

Your daily rays

For every creature

Warmth that stays

Star of the day

Orb of the sky

Sun of the heavens

Your solstice is nigh

 

D. DeGraaf

December 16

The early morning temperatures are in the low 30’s, under overcast skies, as I watch the Chippewa River flow rapidly through the 150-acre Meridian Park, three miles SW of Mt. Pleasant. Following an earthen path along the riverbank, I spot black berry clusters of Common Buckthorn and red-orange berries of American Bittersweet. Bittersweet berries are poisonous to humans, but songbirds, ruffed grouse, pheasant, and fox squirrels do eat them. Further ahead, I notice the dried seedheads of Common Ninebark as well as evergreen leaves and emerging blossoms of Bush Germander, an escaped cultivar that blooms in winter. As the trail follows the water’s edge, I come upon some orange slime floating among dead cattail leaves. While rarely seen along the river, this stuff is from naturally occurring bacteria that make their energy by oxidizing iron that is present in some soils. In addition to the slime, I observe patches displaying a rainbow-colored, oil-like sheen. Turning away from the river, I spot a white birch tree trunk displaying an organized series of holes made by a species of woodpecker, called the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (stock photo). These birds tap the tree for sap in the springtime, circling a trunk or large limb with their tiny drill holes. Following the trail up a steep bank, I pause and look down at a crescent-shaped wetland that was once part of the main river channel and later, an oxbow lake. This sequence of events occurs when a meandering river, (stock photo), like this section of the Chippewa, experiences a surging flood that reroutes the main channel, closing the meander neck and isolating a curved-shaped body of water referred to as an oxbow lake (stock photo). In this case, the lake eventually dried up, leaving only a cattail marsh and seasonal stream. Continuing along the high bank, I notice an old tapered beaver stump, now covered with Turkey tail fungi, more evidence that the main river once flowed nearby, Before turning around, I pause to hear a cawing crow while barely seeing a Muskrat swim along a narrow outflow. Making my way back to the car, I come upon a young Jack Pine tree with some branches displaying woody tumors, called galls. Referred to as Pine Gall Rust, this disease is caused by fungal spores that initially infect the needles and then move into branches. Infected branches become brittle and eventually snap off. Galls on the main branch can disrupt the tree's vascular system, eventually killing it. Nearing the car, I pass a few lingering patches of snow before spotting a whitetail deer running for cover. 

Deep in the woods    

Noises cease               

Sounds subdued

Nature at peace

Mid of December

End of the year

Mother prepares

Slumber is near

Tucks her children

Turns down the light

Covers them up

With blanket of white

 

D. DeGraaf

December 9

With noontime temperatures in the low 30’s and partly sunny skies, I’m hiking on a snow-dusted earthen trail in Harris Nature Center near Okemos, Michigan. Right away, I notice on the ground, some white Crust fungi growing on the cut-end of a downed log and a dark, thick, convoluted woody vine of Wild Grape. Up ahead, I watch a Gray Squirrel scamper up a tree and then walk over to check out its tracks in the snow. Soon, I come to the bank of the Red Cedar River where I see its water flow quietly from upstream before flowing rapidly past a pile of dead Ash trees. This watercourse has traveled some 40 miles from its source south of Howell and will continue another 10 miles west to Lansing where it converges with the Grand River. Back in the middle of the 20^th century, the Red Cedar River was very polluted, flowing through a stark and barren landscape. After much effort, the river landscape is now scenic and the water is clean. However, a recent risk downstream, is pollution caused by E. Lansing residents dumping abandoned electric scooters into the river where toxic lithium from their batteries leach out. Walking along the snowy bank, I come to a sandy shore where I spot a ¾ inch shell of a Marsh Ramshorn snail. These snails are the intermediate hosts of a parasite that's the most common cause of swimmer's itch in Michigan's lakes. This condition is an allergic reaction to a blood fluke released into the water by infected snails that burrow into human skin, causing small, itchy bumps. Near the snail shell are several ¼ inch Fingernail Clam shells. Also known as pill clams or pea clams, they are filter feeders that remove organic materials from the river. Turning away from the river, I continue through a woodland where I see the mottled trunk of a Sycamore tree, a scaly trunk of a Swamp Oak tree and a moss-covered trunk of a Hop Hornbeam tree. On the ground, I spot tiny heart-shaped green leaves of Ground Ivy (Creeping Charley) and recall the purple blossoms displayed on this ground cover during the spring (stock photo). Before returning to the car, I stop by some bird feeders behind the Center’s classroom where I notice some usual visitors, including a Tufted Titmouse and a Downy Woodpecker.  In a nearby tree, I spot a perching Northern Cardinal and White-breasted Nuthatch while on the ground I see a foraging Dark-eyed Junco. Next to the feeders, in a large cage, I watch two, permanently injured, Red-tailed hawks that were rescued years ago and now live in captivity where they are cared for and put on public display.

Late autumn woodland

Mighty oak stands bare

Squirrel scampers up

Toward his leafy lair

Hightailing skyward

Filling his cache

Over furrowed bark

Along branches gray

Perched in a crotch

Mate lingers near

Through barren twigs

Snow clouds appear

 

D. DeGraaf

December 2

To avoid a stray bullet from an aimless deer hunter, I’m hiking in the Hiawatha Hills Preserve, a 5-acre, semi-residential parcel, located four miles west of Mt. Pleasant. The early morning weather is cold and cloudy as I scan the landscape that can best be described as an Ash Tree graveyard. Thirty years ago, this place would have been a dense woodland dominated by tall, healthy Ash trees (stock photo). Since then, the larvae of the Emerald Ash Borer (stock photo) has infected, girdled and killed all of them that are now seen as large grey trunks sprawled on the ground in various stages of decay. Moving a short distance, I come to the edge of the Chippewa River and pause to look at and listen to its flowing water. Along the bank, I observe the trunk of a dead tree, most likely killed by Bootstrap fungi. Honey mushrooms are parasitic on live wood and send out these long root-like structures between the wood of a tree and its bark, killing the tree. When fresh, these roots are cream colored but darken to brown or black as they age. The fungus is also called root rot or shoestring root rot. Exploring the flood plain, I spot a green rosette of Wild Radish. This plant is non-native and invasive in Michigan. Depending on the season, the entire plant is edible, including leaves, roots, blossoms and the segmented pods that have a radish-like taste (stock photo). Moving away from the river, I come upon a small pile of red feathers from a Northern Cardinal, most likely the leftovers of a predator-prey confrontation between this bird and a hawk or owl. Other observations, include an old, hard 8-inch Artist Conk shelf fungus and a patch of Pixie cup Lichens. Nearby, in contrast to much of my drab-colored surroundings, I notice the red-orange leaves of a Barberry bush and remember the bright red fruit it displayed earlier in the season (stock photo). Leaving this preserve, I take a short drive to the other side of the river to the 2-acre Neyer Preserve where I hike past American Beech and Canadian Hemlock trees. Downstream, I spot mounds of white foam on the water surface. These natural suds result from higher levels of organic decomposition this time of year forming these dense masses of air bubbles. Along the far shore, I watch a few whitetail deer scamper in single-file below a river-front house. While heading back to the car, I pause to enjoy the quietude and scenery of this riparian ecosystem. From here, the Chippewa flows another 30 miles east before converging with the Pine River at the Chippewa Nature Center near Midland.

Early December days

Neath leafless trees

Nature at attention

Mother Earth at ease

Beside a shrinking pond

No frogs with leopard skin

Atop the meadow grass

No spider webs to spin

Squirrels of woodlands

Prepare for winter’s blast

Hoarding their food

Autumn breathes her last

 

D. DeGraaf

November 25

With mid-morning temperatures in the low 40’s, I begin my hike in dense fog at Alma’s Conservation Park, serenaded by a Blue Jay. My goal is to plan a path that I hope to turn into a self-guided nature trail, open to the public next summer. Called the “Trail of Trees”, (stock photo) this ½ mile loop will identify and describe common conifers and broadleaf trees growing close to the trail. Beginning in a counter-clockwise direction along the bank of the Pine River millpond, I could label such trees as White and Red Cedar and provide a printed pamphlet giving information about the differences between them. I could include the old, dying White Birch tree and note the lichens and moss that grow on its trunk. Continuing west, I could include the tall White Pine next to the deck and describe its role in Michigan’s logging history. Up ahead, I could include the Big-tooth Aspen tree and describe how its soft wood is used to make pulp and particle board. Further along, I could include the Red Oak tree and the proximate Burr Oak tree comparing their leaf shape, bark texture and acorn size. Turning south, I could include a s Black Locust tree describing its compound leaves and bean-like seed pods. Turning east on the paved service road, I could include the unique bark design of a Norway Spruce tree trunk and identify some of its fallen cones on the ground nearby. I could include a dead Ash ree trunk with borer tunnels and describe the recent demise of this species. Next, I come to the Eyer Learning Circle, turn north and proceed to the outward-facing benches. Moving around the circle and sitting on different benches, I could include an old, dying Scotch Pine tree trunk and point out how the younger trees are commonly used as in-home Christmas trees.  From another bench, I could include an old, bare tree trunk, called a snag, that is a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. As the sun breaks through, I follow a narrow earthen trail north where I could include the large trunk of a Red Pine tree, comparing its bark and needles to the previous-seen White Pine tree. Up ahead, I could include the distinctive bark of a Black Cherry tree trunk and look for its fruit on the ground or high in branches during the summer months. Nearing the trailhead, I could include both the sinewy bark of a small Musclewood tree and the smooth gray bark of a large Beech tree and compare how their wood was used by Native Americans. Next summer, after completing the “Trail of Trees” and returning to the parking lot, I hope hikers will stop to enjoy the Butterfly Garden.

November book closes

Most pages read

Month of memories

Stir in my head

Trees of green

Decay to brown

From colorful canopy

To leafless crown

Moments to ponder

Miles of trails

Whenever the season

Nature prevails

 

D. DeGraaf

November 18

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 30’s, under partly sunny skies and a gentle west wind, as I begin my hike on a grass trail at Forest Hill Nature Area. Following the path west, I arrive on the edge of Sora Swale, one of several wetlands in the Nature Area. Scanning from here reveals a nearly waterless landscape never before seen. Because of a long-term draught, it looks dramatically different than it did a few years ago (stock photo). Some 30 years ago, Forest Hill Nature Area started out as farmland with no wetlands. During its first few years, with help from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service, drain tiles were broken, allowing rainwater and snow melt to fill in the low spots and form year-round wetlands, like Sora Swale, that developed into ideal habitat for wildlife. Moving into South woods, I veer off the trail to find a weathered, 2-ton, granite boulder covered with moss, lichens and fungi. This sighting begs two questions: how did it get here and how old is it? Referred to as a glacial erratic, this rock was transported here by a glacier at the end of Michigan’s last ice age, some 12,000 years ago. During its journey south, a much larger boulder was weathered and eroded before coming to rest. Once here, it continued to get smaller and smoother during years and years of exposure to wind, rain, ice and snow. Continuing through South woods, I first glance down to see the trunk of an Aspen tree shredded by a Pileated Woodpecker looking for Carpenter ants and then glance up to see the delicate, yellow, autumn-blooming flowers on a Witch Hazel tree. Looping around to the east, I arrive at another wetland called, Willow Wallow, that too is nearly dried up but, retains enough water to support a family of muskrats. Up ahead, I come upon an abandoned Robin’s nest wedged in the crotch of a Thornapple tree and think about how wise the mother bird was last spring to build her mud-lined, nest in a tree shielded from predators by dense leaves and prickly thorns. Ascending Reflection Hill, I first notice the amber-gold color of a patch of Switch grass and then a leafless tree in the distance laden with orange fruit. Upon a closer look, I identify the fruit as cherry-size, Harvest Gold crabapples. Most crabapples are best suited for preserves rather than eating them raw. Descending the hill, I come to the grassy edge of Grebe Pond and notice, like other wetlands on the property, the water level is very low compared to what it was a few years ago (stock photo). Even so, I spot a few mallards swimming along the far shore. Despite frequently seeing mallards around here, their population is in rapid decline. One reason is the natural cross breeding of wild mallards with game-farm mallards released from hunting preserves. Game-farm mallards are passing on less desirable traits to wild mallards, making it harder for them to survive and thrive in the natural world. 

Hunting days, barely begun

Run, run, whitetail run

Far away from the hunter’s gun

Run, run, whitetail run

Some humans shoot for fun

Run, run, whitetail run

Low light of the morning sun

Run, run, whitetail run

Stay alive till season’s done

Run, run, whitetail run

 

D. DeGraaf