Sunday, March 13, 2011

Aman Park and more

It's March!  Of course it is still winter, but we had a good walk at Aman Park.  No wildflowers yet but they are coming soon.

Aman Park is in Ottawa County but is owned by the city of Grand Rapids (Kent County), it has 331 acres, and has been preserved as a natural area with hiking and cross-country ski trails. This park has interpretive signs and six self-guided trails ranging from .8 mile to 1.5 mile loops.  In recent years Marie and I have walked every corner of this property, not every inch but most inches.
                The Grand River as we drive over the bridge on M-45.

                      Sand Creek winding through Aman Park

      We had blue skies and sunshine, we walked a couple miles staying along the creek.

This is what's left of a Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) blossom from autumn.  The picture below is of Witch Hazel blooming at the end of September.
Below is an American Sycamore tree, see the cool mottled exfoliating bark.  It looks like camouflage to me.
I think this is from an American Basswood tree. 
We drove around after Aman Park, through Marne, and Coopersville.  There are many farms in this area, lots of neat old barns, long may they live.



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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 14, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    I like that - "not every inch but most inches." Your photos are so inticing. Check the headlines for reports of traffic jams at Aman Park after these are seen. The Grand River from a vehicle traveling 50 mph looks serene. How do you do that? One of my favorites - Witch Hazel in bloom! Then two of our favorite trees. And barns, long may they live indeed. Ahhhh. M :)

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  2. Plants Amaze MeMarch 14, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Marie, I'm glad you were enticed by my photos.

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  3. stratovolcanoMarch 29, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    cool winter post! Think of what you and M would find with a bunch of time in west Texas and SE New Mexico!

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