July 28

he early morning skies are partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as Caroline, Riley and I hike on one of several paved nature trails in the city of Sherwood, Oregon, 17 miles south of Portland. On both sides of the path, I look up to see lots of tree branches covered with Usnea lichens. Also known as Old Man’s Beard, Usnea plays an important role in the ecosystem, providing food and nesting material for wildlife and contributing to nutrient cycling. It's also a bioindicator, meaning its presence or absence can indicate air quality. On a large, decaying tree trunk, I notice some lichens and mosses mixed with some wood oysterling mushrooms. In Oregon, the term "wood oysterling" may refer to several different fungi, including some true Oyster mushrooms and other lookalikes. Pausing by a small pond, I watch a group of Mallard hens and juveniles swimming around. Near the far shore, I spot, but am unable to photograph, the head of a swimming muskrat-like rodent, called a Nutria (stock photo). This semi-aquatic mammal, native to South America, was originally brought to the US in 1889 for its fur. When the fur market collapsed in the 1940s, thousands of them escaped or were released into the wild by ranchers who could no longer afford to feed and house them. Nutria are voracious herbivores, known for clearing areas of their vegetation. Coupled with their proficiency in traveling both on land and in water, they pose a significant threat to the environment, particularly wetlands. Up ahead, I observe the pink blossoms of a native, deciduous shrub called Douglas Spirea, also known by other common names like hardhack and steeplebush. Named after David Douglas, this 19^th century, Scottish botanist also has his name attached to the Douglas Fir. Nearby, I notice pink blossoms of Japanese Spirea, a small, invasive shrub native to Japan, Korea and China. Among the floating pond weeds covering the pond surface, I spot the head of a Bullfrog with its large, bulging eyes that sit at the top of its skull. The location of its eyes gives it a wide frame of vision, which is important because it cannot move its head from side to side. These amphibians are carnivore that eat crayfish, water beetles, snails, dragonfly nymphs (larvae), small fish, and occasionally small birds. Animals such as snapping turtles, foxes, herons, and raccoons eat them. Continuing down the path, lined with snow-like Cottonwood seeds, my ears perk up to the song of a Spotted Towhee (stock photo) and a Steller’s Jay (stock photo) Turning around and approaching the car, I see the familiar blossoms of Queen Anne’s Lace as well as 10-inch wide leaves of Bigleaf Maple.

Who will raise their voices

With arguments and pleas

Who will speak for the creatures

Who will defend the trees

Wildlife are in peril

Their habitats shrink

Some are threatened

Others on the brink

Respect living things

Conserve and care

Revere them all

This planet we share

 

D. DeGraaf

July 21

The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the upper 60’s as Caroline and Riley join me for a hike in the 2.2 million-acre Yellowstone National Park. Soon we come upon a small pond where several dragonflies flutter above the surface. Exploring the bank, I spot some of these, including a Western Pond Hawk, a White-faced Meadow Hawk, and a Paddle-tailed Darner. Also, I see a lovely Spread-wing Damselfly. Circling the pond, I spot a patch of Golden Paintbrush blossoms as well as a lovely blue blossom of Fringed Gentian. Driving a short distance, we find a vacant campground with a sign on one of the picnic tables that reminds us we are in Yellowstone Park, not Conservation Park in Alma. Exploring this area, I come upon a patch of Harebells. The Haida Indians of the Pacific Northwest called them "blue rain flowers" and it was thought that picking them would cause it to rain. Nearby, I see white blossoms of Richardson's Geranium, named after Sir John Richardson, a 19^th century Scottish naturalist, explorer, and surgeon. Next, I come upon a Twinberry Honeysuckle shrub. While its berries are a valuable food source for wildlife, they are not recommended for human consumption. Scattered on the ground are frisbee-size mounds of dried Buffalo dung. Bison feces is an important natural fertilizer for microbes, plants and other animals. This natural biologic function is a fundamental means of nutrient flow on the grasslands and woodlands in the park. Up ahead, I pause to observe the reddish stalks of Woodland Pine-drops. Lacking chlorophyll, this saprophyte derives its food from dead and decaying plant material, especially the deep humus found under Lodge-Pole and Ponderosa pines. Hiking near our cabin rental, I pause, along with other tourists, to watch the Old Faithful geyser erupt, an event happening nearly every 90 minutes. Yellowstone Park boasts a high concentration of geysers due to a shallow magma chamber that provides the intense heat needed to superheat groundwater, while rainwater and snowmelt seep into the ground, forming underground reservoirs. Fractures and faults in the rock act as a plumbing system, allowing the heated water to rise rapidly and erupt as geysers. After the eruption, I notice some of this heated water carrying high amounts of calcium carbonate, cool and form a chalky white landscape while some of the water spills into the passing river. Down river, I spot a few Common Mare’s Tails poking out of the flowing water. This perennial herb can be a troublesome weed, obstructing the flow of water in rivers and streams.

 

One early morning

One human finds

Steamy geysers

Lodge pole pines

One life grateful

We saved this place

For nature’s wonders

To have their space

Bison and bears

Make their mark

One of a kind

Yellowstone Park

D. DeGraaf 

July 14

The early morning sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s as I, once again, enter a conservation easement of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy for my annual inspection of this 38 -acre Gratiot County property.  Right away, I spot the head of a Whitetail buck sticking out of tall grasses, displaying his velvet-covered antlers. Most bucks will complete their antler growth in the middle of August. In late August through mid-September, the velvet dries up and they rub it off.  Just ahead, I notice a Milkweed beetle resting on a Milkweed leaf. Like Monarch butterflies, these beetles accumulate cardenolides from Milkweed, making them unpalatable to predators, a defense they advertise with their striking orange and black markings.  Continuing along, I watch a Bumblebee and a small Sweat Bee feed on small yellow blossoms of Common Mullein. Sweat bees are important pollinators for many wildflowers. As their common name suggests, these bees are attracted to the salt found in human perspiration. Off in a distant field, I look at and listen to a breeding pair of Sandhill Cranes. These lovely birds mate for life - which can mean two decades or more - and stay with their mates year-round. Looping back, I find some Hairy Vetch plants with their lovely purple blossoms. This plant is a highly effective nitrogen fixer, extracting nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Pausing at one of several ponds, I first listen to a few Green Frogs and then spot a needle-like Bluet Damselfly perched above the water on blade of grass. Nearby, I see a Cabbage-white Butterfly feeding on Catnip blossoms. This butterfly is a common species whose caterpillars, called cabbageworms (stock photo) are considered a significant pest of crops like cabbage, kale, and broccoli. On my way back to the car, I pass a large patch of Chamomile blossoms. This plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal effects. It is commonly consumed as an herbal tea and is also used in cosmetics and aromatherapy. Nearing the car, I spot a Japanese Beetle resting on a False Sunflower blossom. This native Japanese insect, first discovered in the US in 1916, is a significant pest of landscape trees and shrubs as well as vegetable and fruit crops.  

Beauty of summer

settles over the water

where a cardinal flower

flaunts its scarlet pedals, 

a wood duck drake parades

its coat of many colors.

In the murky depths

beauty awaits its cue.

An unsightly creature

heeds its inner call to

ascend and transform. 

Behold! Dragonfly, 

adorned with translucent

wings and body of 

iridescent green.

 

D. DeGraaf

The early morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s with a refreshing breeze at my back as I hike on a mowed trail toward the rising sun while being entertained by a Song Sparrow. Today, as a volunteer for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, I’m evaluating one of their 38 conservation easements, a 24-acre privately-owned parcel east of Alma. This property was purchased years ago with government funds with the understanding that the landowner would maintain it as wildlife habitat. My job is to determine if there’s compliance and report the results to the Conservancy. Up ahead, I watch a butterfly flutter by and land on the grassy ground. Upon a closer look, I see it’s a 1-inch, Common Wood-Nymph displaying an eyespot on one of its wings. These eyespots are thought to play a role in predator defense, potentially confusing or deterring birds and other predators. Nearby, I spot a resting 1-inch, White Slant-line Moth. Their caterpillars are twig mimics. Their brown, narrow bodies hold on to a branch at one end and stretch away from the branch to hide among the twigs and leaves (stock photo). On another blade of grass, I notice a ½-inch, strange-looking collection of small twigs, containing a Bagworm. In the life cycle of certain moths, the caterpillar spins a cocoon-like bag on which pieces of leaves and other plant parts are attached. The bag acts as a portable shelter and camouflage, shielding the caterpillar from predators and harsh weather conditions. Further along, I come upon a male 12-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly. Both male and female have 12 dark brown wing spots while the male has 8 additional white wing spots. Looking around, I spot a Widow Skimmer Dragonfly. This dragonfly got the “widow” name because, unlike most other dragonfly species where the male stays near the female after she lays her eggs, the male in this pair leaves her after the eggs have been laid.  As with other dragonflies, eggs are laid in ponds where they hatch. The nymphs (stock photo) live in the water, molting and growing until they are ready to emerge from the water.  Coming upon one-of-many Cottonwood trees, I spot a leaf displaying an abnormal, swollen growth called a Petiole Gall. In the spring, aphids hatch from eggs laid on the Cottonwood tree and begin feeding on the petioles of newly emerging leaves. This feeding stimulates the plant to produce a growth around the aphids. Theses galls provide a safe environment for the aphids to grow and reproduce. While the galls may be noticeable, they generally do not harm to the tree. 

Nature in rhythm

July days ahead

Summer sky blue

Raspberries red

Creatures are born

Consume and grow

Vultures fly high

Frogs lie low

Pond water wanes

Below the brim

Neath the surface

Mudminnows swim

 

D. DeGraaf

June 30

The early morning temperatures are in the mid 60’s under overcast skies and light rain as I enjoy the song of a Tufted Titmouse before entering Lake Steven Preserve, a 1-acre plot operated by the Chippewa Nature Conservancy. This is one of 27 such preserves (stock photo) that permanently protect over 750 acres of Mid-Michigan wild lands. These properties are open to the public for educational and recreational purposes. They attempt to maintain high levels of water and air quality, forest health and wildlife habitat that promotes biodiversity. From the road, I scan the west boundary where I enjoy a variety of birdsongs but am concerned about the extensive spreading of invasive Autumn Olive trees compared to my visit, a year ago. Exploring the open field next to the road, I spot white blossoms of Daisy Fleabane as well as tiny pink, snap-dragon-like flowers of Wild Basil.  Belonging to the mint family, Basil leaves are edible and have a mild basil flavor, though they can become more bitter after flowering. Still in the field, I come upon a resting, ¼ inch Cluster fly. These flies often enter homes in the fall to escape the cold weather. Also, I spot a ½ inch, Small White Wave Moth. The moth’s ½ inch larva (stock photo) feeds on Birch, Alder and Willow leaves. Nearby, I spot seed-heads of Fox Sedge and Wool grass. Making my way through a woodland of densely growing Birch, Ash, Maple and Oak trees, I spot some Raccoon scat as well as a Birch tree displaying layers of its papery bark. Next, I pause to pick and savor the rare fruit of Wild Strawberry. Despite producing plenty of leaves and blossoms, these plants produce very few berries. Finally, I make it to the shore of Lake Steven, which is not the edge of the lake proper, but the edge of an outflow channel. On a small island afar, I observe an Elderberry bush with its white blossoms. Lake Steven (stock photo) is considered a “dying” lake as it continues to fill with sediment, organic matter, and the remains of plants and animals, gradually reducing its size and depth, eventually transforming it into a marsh, bog, or swamp. Turning around and making my way back toward the car, I spot a few floating water lilies in bloom as well as a stand of narrow-leaf cattails. The male cattail flowers, located at the top of the flowering stalk, released pollen that was dispersed by the wind. The female flowers, below the male flowers, were then pollinated when the wind carried the pollen to them. Soon the male flowers will wither and fall while the sausage-shaped mass of female flowers remain throughout the summer.

Summer commences

Out in the wild

Wetlands awake for

A wide-eyed child

Duck weedy shore

A Leopard frog

A basking turtle

Lies on a log

Above the bank

A Dragonfly

Swooping Swallows

Fill the sky

 

D. DeGraaf

June 23

The mid-morning temperatures are in the low 60’s under mostly cloudy skies as Caroline, friend Brenda and dog, Riley join me on a hike along Gull Harbor, on the far northeast tip of Beaver Island. The extra wide rocky beach and acres of dried-up wetlands here are a result of a dramatic drop of 10 inches in the water level of Lake Michigan in the past year. Even more dramatic is a drop in lake level of 40 inches since 2020. Offshore, I spot a breeding pair of Common Mergansers standing on a rock while overhead, a pair of Herring Gulls call out. Scattered among the beach rocks are thousands of small Zebra Mussel shells. Introduced in the 1980s, likely through ballast water from cargo ships, these invasive mollusks have significantly impacted the lake's ecosystem by filtering out large amounts of plankton, affecting food chains and water clarity. Scientists are testing new removal methods near Sleeping Bear Dunes and Muskegon. One method is to anchor large tarps (stock photo) to the lake bottom over infested areas, killing the mussels by preventing oxygen and food from reaching them. Another method is to drag a heavy, plow-like device, called a “mussel masher” (stock photo) through mussel beds, detaching and crushing them. Still exploring the rocky beach, I notice small, yellow blossoms of Silverweed vine and bristly seed-heads of Bottle Brush Sedge. Above my head are swarms of ¼-inch Snipe Flies (stock photo) that have recently hatched from larvae. While pesky, they rarely land on or bite humans. After mating, females deposit eggs on overlying vegetation. After hatching, larvae fall into the water where they develop into flying adults. Both adults and larvae are predatory, feeding on small insects and other invertebrates. Working my way through a dried-up pond, I spot a Northern Water Snake coiled up on the ground. Soon this reptile, common on Beaver Island, slithers away from me so I see its about 4 ft long. These snakes are opportunistic predators, feeding on fish, frogs and crayfish. While they can bite, they are not venomous and not considered dangerous to humans. Since areas like this are often used as nesting sites for Killdeer, I’m not surprised to hear some of them warning me to keep my distance. Looping back, I see a few white blossoms of Ox-eye daisies and lovely red-orange leaves of Indian Paintbrush. The plant’s name comes from its visual similarity to a paintbrush used by Native Americans. Nearing the car, I come upon a dirt mound called a cray-fish chimney created by a burrowing crayfish.  

Wandering tracks

Goose and gull

Shells of a clam

Bones of a skull

Sizes and shapes

Beach of stones

Iron and quartz

Colors and tones

Painting the shore

The artist’s hand

Image of summer

Canvas of sand

 

D. DeGraaf

June 16

The early morning temperatures are in the mid 50’s under clear skies and a mild east wind as I begin my hike at Camp Cutler, a 160-acre scout camp, located about 3 miles northeast of Vestaburg in Montcalm County. In 1960 the Cutler family donated 120 acres of this land to the St. Louis Boys Club in memory of their son Ted.  Including woods, fields, streams, wetlands, and two small lakes, the camp was expanded in 1975 when Gertrude Leppien gave an adjoining 40 acres in memory of her husband. Starting out, I spot a few plants at my feet displaying a white, froth produced by the ¼-inch nymph of a Meadow Spittle Bug (stock photo). The foam acts as a barrier against predators, helps regulate the nymph's body temperature and prevents drying out. Adult spittlebugs (stock photo) are 1/4 inch long but are not usually seen. They are also called froghoppers, having enlarged hind legs for jumping. Following the trail, I pause on a bridge to observe the slow flowing water of the North Branch of the Pine River. Originating about 3 miles NW of here at the convergence of Cedar Drain and Thatcher Creek, the river will continue another 3 miles SE where it flows into the main branch of the Pine River near Lumberjack Park. Making my way down to the river’s edge lined with reeds and Skunk Cabbage, I spot the spiky yellow blossoms of Tufted Loosestrife. Back on the trail, I notice several white blossoms of Multiflora Rose. Continuing through a shady forest of mature Oak and Beech trees, I’m alert to the song of a seldom seen Ovenbird (stock photo). Up ahead, I come upon a resting Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly. Based on its somewhat translucent wings with irregular margins, I suspect this is a young adult who recently emerged from its nymph stage. Entering a large clearing, I notice several spider webs attached to low-growing vegetation. These patterns of crisscrossing silk, called cobwebs, are often seen in corners and ceiling in houses. Made by tiny Triangulate cobweb spiders (stock photo), these webs trap ants and other ground dwelling insects using elastic, sticky trap lines leading to the soil surface. These webs remain in place for extended periods and are expanded and repaired, but no regular pattern of web replacement has been observed. Turning around, I walk through an open meadow, while listening to the song of a Field Sparrow (stock photo). Finally, following a stream bank back toward the car, where I hear a few croaking Green Frogs and look skyward to watch the leaves of an Aspen tree “tremble” in the wind. 

Signs of spring abound

Mother Nature thrives

Frog sits and watches

Grebe swims and dives

Nests rid the chicks

Forest fills with green

Warbler on a branch

Heard, but seldom seen

Another new season 

Summer coming soon

May, a distant memory

Mid-month of June

D. DeGraaf