Happy Day Acres Earth Day
2013 04 14 My brother Chuck and family put on an Earth Day Celebration at Happy Day Acres. Trees were planted, fun was had, and there was much yummy food eaten.
The temperature was 35 with heavy, wet, snow coming down, this was around noon on Sunday. Great weather for an outdoor gathering to plant trees.
We are a pretty tough group, and the weather decreased the odds of a wildfire like we had here last year on Earth Day.
It wasn't long before the rain/snow let up and we eventually had some sun and blue sky.
Trees were planted. Some of the kids made markers to put next to the trees they planted so they can see how much it grows by next year.
We went on a walk around the property. I found a nice crop of Trailing Arbutus (not yet blooming) growing in a certain area, I marked it with a flag so it is easy to find again. Also we found many kinds of moss and lichen.
We played games. Chuck made a BiminiRing Toss Game, which was fun. There is a hook attached to the Happy Day Acres board, and a metal washer on a line, you drop the washer and try to land it on the hook. Seems fairly easy but I never saw anyone hook the washer.
I, for one, had a great time, it was nice to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air. Thanks again Chuck and Betty.
On our way home we passed Goose Egg Lake, there is a small park here. What a difference a few hours make in the weather here in Michigan!
8 comments:
It was a great time! I felt sun-kissed and fresh-aired. My thanks to Chuck and Betty, too!
I remember the fire you had there last year. I'm amazed how fast that year went by!! Great shots of the lichens.
Marie, when you stop in at Chuck's property make sure to check the Trailing Arbutus, it should bloom soon. You know where it is and I marked it with one of the flags. :)
Thanks, Allen, I think the red topped ones are British Soldiers or Matchstick? Do you happen to know what the plant (moss?) with the orange-red centers are? I see it often but don't know its name. The year has gone by fast, maybe a little too fast. :)
I remember the fire as well, that was a year ago? What a difference a year makes, last spring was ht and dry, this year, they are talking about the possibility of record flooding on the Grand.
I think your moss might be Juniper Haircap Moss (Polytrichum juniperinum) Male plants have orange splash cups with rosettes of shorter leaves around them, according to the book "Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians." There is a good shot of it about halfway down this blog page: http://moss-notes.blogspot.com/search?q=Polytrichum+juniperinum+
If there is one thing I've learned about mosses, it is that they can be very hard to identify!
Yes just a year ago was the Happy Day Acres fire. My brother planted the burned fields with food for deer, he is a hunter.
I just heard on the news about the possible record flooding on the Grand, I can see a section of the Grand as I sit here at the computer. Luckily we are on a ridge and about 1000ft from the river.
Thanks for stopping by Jerry. :)
Thanks, Allen. I like having names for the things I see in the woods. But as much as I read about lichen, moss, and fungi I'm still confused.
I checked Michigan libraries and the book "Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians" is not available but I looked at it at Amazon. It looks like a book I could understand.
And moss-notes blog is helpful too. That sure does look like the same moss!
Now I just need more time to read, I've just been too busy! Thanks again, I appreciate the help.
:)
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