Aman Park March 30 2026

 Hepatica!

Marie kindly drove us to Aman Park March 30, 2026.  Aman Park is in Ottawa County Michigan.  We knew it was a bit early to see many flowers, but we saw my favorite wildflower - Hepatica.  Each plant is unique and can be white, pink, or purple.  I especially like the deep purple ones.  Here are a few more Hepatica.

We did see just a few Spring Beauty blooming.

And one blooming Purple Cress.

Sand Creek

Along Sand Creek at Aman Park, we found a sandy shore so we explored for a few minutes.  There were two friendly Mourning Cloak butterflies here. One landed right by my boot! 

My boots in Sand Creek.

We wandered at a slow pace along the creek trail for 2 miles and almost 3 hours.  It was a beautiful day. The temperature hit 70 degrees with a slight cooling breeze.  We did keep an eye out for Harbinger of Spring but we didn’t see it at Aman. So, Marie took us to Hager Park, also in Ottawa County.

At Hager Park near a picnic area, there are hundreds of Harbinger of Spring plants and this year there seemed to be even more than usual!  We spent a little more time at Hager Park walking and looking. 

Harbinger of Spring 

Then it was time to head home. About 25 miles back to my house, then Marie has another 33 miles to her home.  Thanks Marie for the driving!  

I also had a fun walk that evening with Mike and Betsy at Connor Bayou Park.  We didn’t see flowers blooming, but we did see turtles sunning themselves!

Connor Bayou in Ottawa County Michigan

What a great day!  

2026 Spring in Michigan

 Four days before Spring 2026

Four days later March 20, Spring at Connor Bayou Park.

 American Bald Eagle at Connor Bayou Park.

When Spring began here in Michigan, I was on my bike pedaling down the road to see Skunk Cabbage.  It was 48 degrees with clouds and some sunshine.

This is where the Skunk Cabbage grow.

About an hour later I was in our garden where tiny chickweed was blooming. I looked up at the sky, and this is what I saw. Maybe a Sun Dog or sun halo.

The first full day of Spring we walked at Stearns Creek Park.  The temperature was 62 degrees, and it was sunny.  A beautiful Spring day!  I checked the Trailing Arbutus and saw some tiny buds.  I looked at Spicebush but not much happening there either.  Still, it was great to be outside on such a lovely day.

Then I saw a Mourning Cloak flutter past!  First butterfly of the year for me.  It was too lively for a picture, so we walked on.  Just then a pretty leaf caught my eye, it was just a beech tree leaf with the sun shining through it, or was it?  I stepped towards it and it flew away!  It was an Eastern Comma Butterfly!  So beautiful.  It landed on an American Beech tree leaf.  Of course, I don’t carry my camera anymore, but I had my phone so got a picture.

I

Stearns Creek Park in Ottawa County Michigan 

This winter Mike has been keeping busy making sour dough bread and maple syrup.  We put 15 taps in our maple trees on February 16th.  The next morning, we had 5 gallons of sap. We have had many more gallons of sap since then. 

Happy Spring! 

2025 More Fall Color plus 48th Wedding Anniversary trip to Manistee Michigan

 Mike and I were able to celebrate our 48th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Manistee.  The first day we walked part of the Manistee River Trail.  One of our favorite trails.  The weather was perfect, sunny and 53 degrees.  We started our 4.5 mile walk at the Hodenply Dam. Soon you come to the Manistee River Suspension Bridge.

  

Views of the Manistee River.

Back to the car then to Manistee where we stayed overnight.  That evening we walked the Manistee Riverwalk, again perfect weather and a nice walk.

The next morning, we drove to Arcadia around 23 miles north of Manistee and a total of 100 miles from home.  We walked at the Arcadia Marsh Boardwalk, about a 2 mile walk from one end back to the start.  

We made a few stops heading south, one stop was for apples at a roadside stand, and a Bargain Barn.  We decided to go for a walk at Otto Nature Preserve near Shelby. Very nice.

The Otto Nature Preserve is an 80-acre parcel of land in Benona Township owned and managed by Oceana Conservation District.

After Otto Nature Preserve we drove south to Duck Creek Natural Area, on Duck Lake Road in Whitehall, Michigan.  My sister Marie met us there so we got to walk together and check out some of the new bridges that were built since we were here last.

Key Features of the property 

• Size: Approximately 310 acres. 
• Terrain: Forests, wetlands, and creeks (Duck Creek and Scholes Creek). 
• Activities: Hiking, walking, jogging, birdwatching, and enjoying nature. 
• Trails: A developing trail system, with some sections being improved by volunteers. 
• Access: Parking areas are available on Duck Lake Road and Simonelli Road. 

This was another wonderful walk. 

Now it is cold and snowy outside, it is December!