October 2018 First Three Adventures
October 2
An adventure to Crockery Creek Natural Area, Ottawa County Park.
This very old, very big oak tree greets you at the start of your walk.
This really was October 2nd, although the leaves look spring green.
We found a violet blooming!
We also found Touch-Me-Not blooming, and Wild Basil, Indian Tobacco, asters, goldenrod, dandelion, Heal All...
Wild Lily of the Valley
This adventure was with Marie, so we checked out a few places off the main trail.
The lighter colored water is Crockery Creek, and the darker water is a swampy area.
I know that is a lot of photos for one trip but what can I say... I really left many photos out.
Again lots of pictures... This was October 5th starting at Hofma Preserve, a Grand Haven Township Park located at 16295 Sleeper St.. Hofma Preserve has 446 acres with approximately 4.5 miles of trails, an 885 foot floating bridge, 17 space parking area and a restroom.
I went alone on this walk and even though I didn't like crossing the 885 foot floating bridge, by myself twice, I did. I had a very nice walk! Sometimes I surprise myself.
Most of the red leaves were maples and tupelo trees. It was a warm and humid day.
Safely back to the parking area. I was walking for 1 1/2 hours and never saw another person!
It was October 8th, Betsy and I walked at Kirk Park. Ottawa County Park.
We started off in the woods, soon I was seeing different sorts of fungus.
I'm not sure what these are...
And these? Maybe Dead Man's Fingers?
Then the stairs, up and down over the dunes.
Lake Michigan
That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by.
We started off in the woods, soon I was seeing different sorts of fungus. 
I'm glad you fall colors are starting. Many of our maples have already lost their leaves.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great shot of the heal all!
I'm not sure if those are dead man's fingers or not. The color and size look right but the ones I've seen have been the same diameter over the entire length but I don't know if they vary or not.
That's quite a floating bridge! That's what I like about your state; they really go all out for nature lovers. Here we're lucky if they cut the fallen trees out of the trails.
That Bur Oak is magnificent. I like how you put the photos together. The spring green made up for the gray skies. We get as excited now when we see the last wildflowers of the season, as we do when we see the first wildflowers of the year! There was such a contrast between the water in Crockery Creek and the backwaters. Interesting to see the water in the creek flow past, not mingling. That fungi looked like it was edged with neon lights! Our favorite, Prunella vulgaris, looking good. What's up with those sawed-up trees with the cool fungus growing on them? You find the oddest fungi! You could never post too many photos! Thank You. M :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allen We were up north this week and the colors were peak, but we also had snow! Heal All is a favorite of mine. I looked up Dead Man's Fingers and didn't really figure any thing out for sure. We certainly have many parks in Michigan and in Ottawa County! I guess that's good as long as we are able to pay our taxes.
ReplyDeleteOn PBS we have seen a program called Autumn Watch. All about New England and they started in New Hampshire! I'm pretty sure I saw your mountain on the show! A very beautiful state!
Thanks, Marie. I hadn't planned to put the tree back together when I took the photos. Then BlogSpot wouldn't allow them to come together completely. It is a magnificent tree, for sure!
ReplyDeleteYes, you and I do parks more thoroughly than when Mike and I walk. That's why we got to see the contrast of creek water and back water. Little things like that are interesting. Our favorite Prunella! The trees at Hofma with the cool fungus looked as though they were looking at me, friendly trees.