After deciding back in September to track Bush Creek from beginning to end, I remember locating and exploring its source near Harrison Rd. in Gratiot County. From there, I remember following it with my car, watching its water zig-zag slowly north through one of several county drains. Also, I remember stopping and walking along the creek bank from Jackson Rd where I discovered two insects that I never saw before: Carolina Saddlebags Dragonfly and Chickweed Geometer Moth. For my second encounter, I remember hiking a ¼ mile east from Baldwin Rd on railroad tracks to reach the creek where I once again explored the bank and discovered a Banded Garden Spider and a 2-inch Virginia Tiger Moth Caterpillar. The following week, I remember walking along the creek bank, next to Olive Rd. where I spotted a beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly.  For my 4^th encounter, I remember hiking along its bank upstream from the Jefferson Rd bridge and being pleased, for the first time, to see its water flow through a natural landscape instead of a county drainage ditch. The next encounter took place a week later along Baldwin Rd on the northern edge of Gratiot County where I remember glimpsing at a wading Great Blue Heron. Also, from County Line Rd. bridge I remember looking down into the clear, shallow water to spot a school of 2-inch Bluntnose minnows swimming north into Midland County. For my 6^th creek encounter, I remember hiking a 3^rd of a mile through a powerline easement to the creek. Moving along the bank, I remember observing blossoms of Winter Cress near the water’s edge and the yellow leaves of an overhanging Basswood tree. The very next week, I found myself hiking a 2-track toward another creek encounter. Approaching the creek, I remember being startled by a dozen shrieking Wood Ducks. Close to the shore, I recall hearing a Robin chirp while watching the creek’s clear water flow downstream. So today was to be my 8^th and final encounter with Bush creek to watch it finally flow into the Pine River. However, approaching what I thought would be a good access point to witness this convergence, I was turned away by an employee working this land owned and operated by Union Oil. I was told this site has been in operation for at least 20-years to dismantle and clean up old oil wells and storage tanks. Even though the land is identified on maps, there is no public record of its existence or cleanup results. Despite this awkward conclusion to my journey, I’m grateful for my many encounters with nature I had exploring this unique watercourse.

Autumn onward
Forest rids her green
Reds and yellows show
Wafting leaves are seen
Barren is the meadow
Frost ices the ground
Swallows head south
Wooly bears around
Plants cease to grow
Mother Nature’s way
Comes the colder night
Comes the shorter day 

 

D. DeGraaf

October 20

The early morning sky is mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I find myself in Midland County, hiking a 2-track toward another encounter with Bush Creek. Approaching the creek from a high bank, I’m startled by a dozen shrieking Wood Ducks that take off and fly away before I can focus my camera. These ducks (stock photo) generally do not stay in Michigan for the winter, as they migrate south to warmer climates. They will occasionally overwinter during very mild winters and in areas where the water does not freeze. Close to the shore, I hear a Robin chirp while watching the creek’s clear water flow downstream through a very shallow channel. At my feet, I see a dog-like track of a Coyote in the wet sand. On the far bank, I spot clusters of Wild Grapes hanging from an Elm tree. For Cedar Waxwing birds this fruit can be a primary food source during their fall migration.Raccoons, opossums, and foxes like ripe grapes as a preferred food prior to winter because they are high in sugar and calories. Exploring the flood plain, I come upon a patch of Tree Climber Moss. This type of moss is beneficial to trees, providing habitat for small organisms and helping with nutrient cycling. Nearby, I notice leafy vines of Round-leaved Greenbrier. This plant is considered both semi-evergreen and deciduous, meaning the leaves stay green much of the winter before falling. Up ahead, I see the trunk of a small Sycamore tree with its army-camouflage like design and the trunk of a small American Elm with its deeply-furrowed design. Looking around at other Elm tree trunks, I spot one being strangled by an Oriental Bittersweet vine. Introduced from Eastern Asia, this invasive vine can smother and damage native trees and shrubs, leading to ecological harm.  Looking up, I notice some Red Oak leaves changing colors. Upon closer inspection, I see the upper surface of one leaf displaying BB-size, reddish bumps called Oak Leaf Galls, caused by wasp larvae that developed from eggs laid on the leaf. By the time the leaves fall, the wasp larvae inside have matured and exited through tiny holes. By next spring, new galls will form on fresh oak leaves as part of the next cycle. On a nearby tree, I observe clusters of yellowish-white berries on vines of Poison Ivy. These berries are often seen in the fall and persist into the winter, and while they are a food source for birds, they are toxic to humans and should not be touched. Before heading back to the car, I take one more look at Bush Creek as it flows north toward its convergence with the Pine River, a mere ¾ mile away.

Aura of autumn

Before snows come

From sunny glades

Colors and shades

Of scarlet and gold

Trees, young and old

Where frost of fall 

Glazes it all

In crystalline white

Through longer night

Nature’s glow

October show

 

D. DeGraaf

October 13

The midafternoon temperatures are in the low 60’s under cloudy skies and a variable breeze as I begin a 1/3-mile hike through a Midland County power-line easement toward another encounter with Bush Creek. Along the way, I notice this fairly new 200-ft wide DTE easement is lined with some trees whose leaves are changing colors. This place also reminds me how a similar easement through Conservation Park in Alma, Michigan was transformed into a beautiful native prairie (stock photo). Continuing west under the high-voltage wires, I spot patches of Hair-cap and Sphagnum moss as well as blossoms of Spotted Knapweed and Toadflax. Likewise, on the ground I come upon a 4-inch Puffball Mushroom that I open up to notice the interior is not pure white and edible but slightly yellow and inedible. Nearby, I see some odd looking scat containing tiny shell fragments, most likely from a diet of crayfish. With this in mind, I conclude it must be either from a Raccoon or Otter. Arriving at Bush Creek. I stand on the steep bank and watch some colorful Maple leaves float slowly downstream. Moving along the bank, I observe blossoms of Winter Cress near the water’s edge and the yellow leaves of an overhanging Basswood tree. Higher up the bank, I see blossoms of Black-eyed Susans as well as several patches of Deer Tongue Grass. This grass was likely planted here to mitigate erosion and provide vital shelter for ground-nesting birds and insects. Its resilience helps it grow in tough areas, often outcompeting invasive plants.. Exploring the flood plain, I come upon blossoms of Flattop Aster and Woodland Blue Aster. Descending the bank, I pause to look and listen to the creek water flow gently over some rocks. Leaving the watercourse, I notice a few red leaves of Virginia Creeper as well as a Bumble Bee feeding on Goldenrod blossoms. Continuing east, I can’t help but look at bright red fruit hanging from branches of a Winterberry tree. This fruit is not edible for humans, potentially causing stomach ailments and dizziness. On the other hand, the berries are a vital food source in the winter for many species of birds and some small mammals. Nearing the car, I follow an Autumn Meadow Hawk Dragonfly as it flutters above me and comes to rest on a dying fern frond. These dragonflies are some of the last ones to be seen, flying into late fall or even early winter in some areas. They can tolerate colder temperatures than many other species but will eventually die during sustained freezing temperatures.

I welcome these days

Fall season on view

Leaves glow red

Berries shine blue

I welcome the sun

On its slow descent

Geese are gathering

The meadow is spent

I welcome the morning

Cool and clear

Autumn time

Glad you’re here

 

D. DeGraaf

October 6

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s under sunny skies and a refreshing east breeze, as I stand on County Line Rd, watching stalks of Giant Stinging Nettle sway in the breeze as water of Bush Creek flows north. Handling these stalks produces a serious sting due to hairs on the stems and leaves. From here, the creek still has 4 miles to go before merging with the Pine River. Still on the road, I look down into the clear, shallow water to spot a school of 2-inch minnows, likely Bluntnose. This species is one of the most common minnows in Michigan and much of eastern North America. They feed mostly on small insects, algae and plankton. They typically live 3–4 years and reach a maximum size of 4 inches. Hiking upstream, I catch a glimpse of a wading Great Blue Heron, standing still, fishing for minnows, frogs or snakes. Most herons migrate south by the end of October, returning in March. However, some individuals may stay in Michigan throughout the winter if there are areas of open, unfrozen water. Moving ahead, I spook the Heron and can barely see it as it takes off and flies a short distance up stream to another fishing spot. Beside the trail, I spot both white and purple blossoms of Aster. The name Aster means star in reference to the shape of the flower. The purple ‘flower’ of New England Aster is actually made up of an aggregate of about 100-150 individual flowers of two types that form a head. The ‘petals’ are each an individual flower called a ray flower. In the center of the head is the other kind of flower called a disk flower (stock photo). Walking through a dense patch of Goldenrod, my feet step on a dried crunchy layer of leaves that had previously fallen from a huge Cottonwood tree overhead. Along the bank, I’m not surprised to see one of many nut-like galls on a Goldenrod plant. This spherical swelling is caused by the tiny Goldenrod Gall Fly. The female fly lays eggs in the stem, and the larva's secretions trigger the plant to form the gall, creating a protective chamber and food source for the larva over winter. During winter birds such Woodpeckers and Chickadees as peck holes in the galls to reach the larvae inside. In some areas, people collect the galls in early spring to use the larvae as fish bait. In the spring, the larva pupates, transforming into an adult fly inside the gall. It then tunnels out and flies away to start the cycle again. Heading back to the car, I notice the leaves of Staghorn Sumac are turning red. Finally, as the season progresses, I pause as a gust of wind rattles the surrounding leaves that yet cling to the branches before they waft to the earth.

Landscape of autumn

Transformed again

Creature of summer

Retreats to its den

Milkweed pods

Dry up and shred

Silky white seeds

Escape and spread

Goodbye to the goose

Farewell to the crane

October commences

In nature’s domain

 

D. DeGraaf

September 29

The mid-morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s under sunny skies and a refreshing west breeze as I start hiking along the bank of Bush Creek, upstream from the Jefferson Rd bridge. After following this watercourse through one county drain after another, I’m pleased to see the creek flow naturally through a lush, wooded landscape that provides suitable wildlife habitat. Hiking along a high bank through dense foliage, I’m entertained by Black-cap Chickadee songs. Up ahead, I first spot a Pignut Hickory tree displaying one of its compound leaves that’s changing colors. Looking more closely at the tree, I notice green husks on some branches beginning to split open, while on the ground I find a whole nut. The meat (stock photo) of this nut is usually small, hard to extract, and often bitter — which is why people say it’s more for squirrels and raccoons.. Early settlers and farmers noticed that pigs readily ate the nuts, bitter or not. The nuts were sometimes even gathered and fed to them as a food source, thus the name “pignut”. After catching a quick glimpse of a Raccoon running along the far bank, I pause at a tree trunk, where I spot an unusual growth— a burl shaped like twin scrolls of wood pressed side by side. Such growths often form when a tree has been stressed or injured, Arriving in a sunny area, I notice yellow blossoms of Sow Thistle have attracted a variety of pollinators, including a Bubble Bee and a Honeybee. On another blossoms, I observe a tiny Sweat bee and a Japanese’s Beetle enjoying some nectar. Before turning around, I look skyward as the morning sun shines through a tall Aspen tree whose leaves are swaying in the breeze. On my way back, I observe the bright red fruit of Bittersweet Nightshade. These berries are especially attractive to children and can be toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. All parts of the plant contain toxins that can harm or even kill animals if ingested. However, some birds have adapted to safely consume the ripe berries with no ill effects, spreading the seeds as they travel.  Skunks are also known to be immune to the toxicity of the berries. Near the car, clusters of blue berries from a Juniper tree catch my eye. Dried Juniper berries add a sharp, unique flavor to marinades, meats, soups, and stews, and are a key ingredient in gin. It was not a morning of grand discoveries, but of smaller things, each one marking the season’s change. Bush Creek may flow low and slow, but its world is alive—seen in blossoms, in berries, in leaves and wings. 

Onset of autumn

Behold! Some signs

Debut of the reds

Virginia creeper vines

Shriveling brown fronds 

Drape the Bracken Fern

Blossoms of Aster

Everywhere you turn

Late September air

Chills the early day

Cold bloods retreat

Nature shows the way

 

D. DeGraaf

September 22

The afternoon temperatures are in the upper 70’s with sunny skies and a gentle breeze, as I continue my exploration of Bush Creek. From the E. Olive Rd bridge, I watch the water flow slowly along another drainage ditch through acres and acres of cropland. Driving a short distance east, I begin to hike along the south bank of the creek on a 50 ft wide filter strip while noticing the opposite bank displays no filter strip. A filter strip is a band of permanent herbaceous vegetation between a cropland area and a surface water body to treat runoff. It slows the flow of runoff, causing sediment and pollutants to be filtered out, thereby protecting water quality.  Nearby, I spot a beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly feeding on nectar of Canadian Goldenrod. This is a migratory butterfly that overwinters as an adult in warmer climates and migrates to cooler regions in the spring. Their under wings feature a cryptic, colorful marbled pattern. When the butterfly rests with its wings closed, this pattern provides camouflage, (stock photo) making it appear less visible to predators by mimicking a leaf or tree bark. The Red Admiral caterpillar (stock photo) feeds on Stinging Nettle plants. On another Goldenrod blossom, I watch a Bumble Bee feeding on the nectar. Near the water’s edge, I notice yellow blossoms of Beggar ticks and green leaves of Broadleaf Arrowhead. Turning around and heading back, I pause to see a patch of Pokeweed displaying its fruit.  These berries are poisonous to humans but are a food source for many birds. All parts of the Pokeweed plant are toxic, with the highest amounts of poison in the roots, leaves, and stems. The only edible part is the very young, tender stems and leaves, which are used to make "poke sallet". Traditionally, the leaves are boiled in water, drained, and then boiled again to remove toxins. Afterward, they can be fried with bacon fat, scrambled with eggs, or cooked like spinach. Poke sallet has a long history in Southern Appalachian and rural food traditions, where people made use of what grew wild. The name “sallet” is an old English word for “cooked greens”. Near the car, I spot a 1-inch Short-horned Grasshopper perched on the stem of a Common Milkweed whose leaves have turned yellow. These insects are largely vegetarian, feeding on the foliage of grasses and Forbes. They are a vital food source for various predators, including birds, skunks, snakes, and toads. Finally, at the car, I pause to acknowledge the sun at the Autumnal Equinox and look forward, in gratitude to a new season of fall.

Orb of the sky

Light of the day

Predictable path

Found your way

Summer’s high

To winter’s low

Reached the mid

Then down you go

Seasonal sign

Of nature’s law

Sun of the heavens

Welcome to fall

 

D. DeGraaf

September 15

The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the low 50’s as I hike east on a railroad track to Bush Creek where its water flows under me through acres of crop land. Next to the steep bank, I spot a funnel-shaped web made by an American Grass Spider (stock photo). This arachnid spends most of its time hidden in the web's funnel, emerging and moving rapidly to catch insects that land on the web. Nearby, I notice a patch of Beggarticks with their yellow blossoms. The "beggar" part of the name refers to people who might be walking through fields or areas where the plant grows and then having the seeds cling to their clothes.  The "tick" part of the name comes from the seeds' ability to stick like ticks. The seeds have barbed awns or hooks (stock photo) that grip surfaces, resembling the way a parasitic tick clings to its host. This plant has many common names that describe its seed-dispersal method, including Stick-tights, Pitchfork weed and Bur-marigolds. While examining one of the many orb webs clinging to the vegetation, I observe a 1-inch Banded Garden Spider. Female spiders produce over 1,000 eggs that overwinter in egg sacs attached to vegetation. In the spring, the eggs hatch and young spiderlings disperse by ballooning in wind currents as the life cycle continues. A short distance away, I come upon a 2-inch Virginia Tiger Moth Caterpillar, crawling upside down while clinging to green stem with pairs of prolegs on its abdomen. These prolegs have small, hook-like structures called "crochets" at the tips, which help the caterpillar grip surfaces like leaves and stems. Also known as yellow wooly bears, these caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants eventually emerging as white moths (stock photo). Turning around, I see blossoms of Wild Carrot as well as one that has lost its flowers and folded up into a seed-head. Knowing that these nest-like shapes provide habitat for insect larvae, I open up one of them to reveal a tiny, spotted larva of a Carrot-seed Moth (stock photo) These larvae feed on the flowers and developing seeds of plants in the parsley family, including dill, carrot, parsley, and fennel. Making my way back to the car, I spot a patch of Field Pepper Grass and also catch the glimpse of a bird perched on the railroad track that looks like a Savannah Sparrow, Finally, I reach the car and drive a short distance to M-46, turn right and pause on a road bridge to watch the creek flow downstream toward its confluence with the Pine River, some 8 miles NE of here. Also, I’m reminded that this once natural watercourse has been drastically altered to serve farmers at the expense of water quality and a thriving habitat for local flora and fauna.

Mid of September
Summer’s goodbye
Monarchs leave
Gone, geese that fly
Yellow drapes the fields
From oaks, acorns fall
Fawns continue to grow
Crows continue to caw
Seasons are changing
Maples showing red
Autumn coming soon
Nature moves ahead 

 

D.DeGraaf