Thursday, December 12, 2013

October Forgotten

October wasn't really forgotten, just busy.  There are no rules with a blog like mine.  I would like to do a post for every adventure, even a short post, but there are always other more fun things to do!  In an effort to "catch up" (I'm not really behind - remember no rules), I am going to put several outings together in this post, mostly pictures.

2013 10 14 Marie and I took a trip to Grand River Park, Ottawa County, Michigan.  Remember this is mid October, I thought this year the color of the leaves were a bit subdued, more yellows and tans than red.  Still the trees were beautiful.


Staghorn Sumac

 Grand River

There was some red, like this maple.

Grand River Park, Ottawa County, Michigan
Jeweled web

The next week October 21st, we went to Kent County, Michigan to Roselle Park.  We were here a few years ago but didn't explore, this time we walked the whole park.

We started with visiting the silos, one silo you can walk up inside to the top.  You have a nice view of the park and you can just barely see the Grand River.


Roselle Park
 
Roselle Park - Ada Township, Michigan


More of Roselle Park

After Roselle Park we went to Ada Township Park where there is an arboretum. 
Here is a glimpse of Ada Township Park.

 A neat little observation dock...


Ada Township Park really has so much to offer, the trees with identification signs, ponds, a water fountain, nature trails, ball fields, tennis courts, benches, picnic tables and more!  Since this was October 21st we didn't expect to see many wildflowers, but what a surprise we had! 
We were wandering the nature trails and came to a small weedy field, the soil was fairly damp, and I found a Fringed Gentian!  Then another, and another! 

We have found Fringed Gentian in about 4 locations around Michigan so this was exciting to have another place to find this beautiful wildflower growing, and still blooming late in October!

I have asked the question before, why don't I find Fringed Gentian and Bottle Gentian growing together?  They both like damp soil, I guess we do usually find the Fringed Gentian in wetter areas than the Bottle Gentian, but still why not in the same damp place?

Just about the time I asked myself that question and just after I had found several Fringed Gentian...I found a Bottle Gentian only 10 feet away! That was so exciting!
The plants were a bit rough but they were definitely blooming.  I will visit Ada Township Park again.

October 28th, Marie and I made a trip to Barry County to check out a few of our favorite places.  The end of October is quite late in the year for wildflowers in Michigan, but the weather had been mostly mild so we did find flowers still blooming.
 The morning sky, a very pretty start to the day and sunshine!
One of "our" very special places in Barry County...
 Land of the Larch, the beautiful golden-yellow needles of the Larch trees as they get ready to drop their needles.

We found Fringed Gentian here.  Being the very end of the blooming season, they were a bit sad looking.


Kalm's Lobelia was still blooming nicely!

Biennial Gaura (Gaura biennis) Evening Primrose family was still blooming, along with asters, Queen Anne's Lace, Bouncing Bet, golden rod, and a few more flowers.

Toward the end of the month, Mike and I visited the cabin up north in Manistee County, Michigan to celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary.  Of course we hiked the Manistee River Trail, one of the best hiking trails in Michigan. 
View of the Manistee River from the Manistee River Trail

 Slagle Creek bridge along the Manistee River Trail.

We stopped at the overlook at Hodenpyl Pond, unfortunately the whole weekend was cloudy with some rain.  The colors of the leaves were still fairly bright even without the sun. 
We also visited my sister and brother-in-law (Sugar and Rick) in nearby Copemish, Michigan where they happen to be camping.  Also in Copemish, we walked the First Creek Nature Trail.  Nice little trail.

 Boardwalk and leaves at First Creek Nature Trail.

Mike and I continue to visit Riverside Park in Ottawa County each week.  Before the snow fell we took a few bike rides, one was a twenty mile trip on the bike trail from Ravenna to Marne. 
AND we have added a 2 1/2 mile stroll around our neighborhood every evening!  Yes, even in the snow and when it is only 15 degrees outside.

 Riverside Park in Ottawa County Michigan
One week we saw a pair of eagles in a tree across the Grand River, look close - see the dark spot about in the middle of the picture?  I didn't get the best close-up shots since I only had Mike's shoulder for a tripod.  (I do own a tripod just didn't have it with).  I still think it is cool to see  Bald Eagles right here along the Grand River!
These were the best close-ups I got of the eagles.



So that was a bit of October, better late than never?  Maybe next time the whole month of November!  

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good rule - no rules! I like that! Your blog is welcome whenever it shows up. The Fringed Gentian is - ah, superlative. Oh my. Thanks for the preview. I know I kept saying, that's my favorite, no, wait that one, okay that one is the best, oh my, that one. It's not my fault I can't pick just one, they are all so good. Worth waiting for. M :)

Plants Amaze Me said...

Thanks, Marie. It's nice to answer our own questions sometimes. Now we know both types of gentian can be found growing in the same place! Another question is WHY haven't we seen them growing together before?? What about down at the river, (remember even way back when you use to tell Dad not to pick the gentian, then when him and I would walk down to the river he would tease that he was going to pick one, but don't tell Marie, ha ha ), we have found Bottle Gentian but never a Fringed Gentian, right?
:)
Don't expect a November post too soon, I have too many books to read and then there is Christmas!

Anonymous said...

What happened to fall?! It was very pretty as your photos show. I love the red leaves on the maple trees!

Plants Amaze Me said...

Anonymous yeah what did happen to fall? It seems like we have been in a snow globe for two weeks already this season and it isn't even winter! Winter and snow is nice though, calm, quiet, white.
Thanks, :)

Dave said...

Thanks for posting these, kinda nice to see on a blustery winter day, Nice shots of them eagles, the shot with the reflections at Ada park really was inviting
Dave

Plants Amaze Me said...

Thanks Dave, you're right it is nice to look back to warmer days on these cold white days. Ada Township park is a little gem!
I hope you have been getting down to that river of yours.
:) Chris

New Hampshire Gardener said...

Beautiful photos of beautiful things. It's hard to beat a blog post with gentians and eagles in it!

Plants Amaze Me said...

Thanks, Allen. Since October I have been hibernating, except for our evening walk which we just got back from - 2 1/2 miles and 12 degrees!
:)