Harbinger of Spring at Hager Park and Grand River Park

 Spring is starting to spring here in Ottawa County Michigan!  Marie took me on an adventure yesterday March 24, 2023.  We went in search of Harbinger of Spring, the plant.  We found several blooming at Hager Park.

Marie spotted the first plant just barely open then as we looked closer, we saw several more Harbinger of Spring blooming.  We also checked on the spring flowering Witch Hazel.  It was also blooming.

After a lovely time at Hager Park, we visited Grand River Park.  We wanted to see if the Harbinger of Spring was blooming there.  And surprise it was!   We also saw Skunk Cabbage.  

That was our quick little adventure to welcome Spring! Maybe next week we will go looking for Hepatica. 

Seeking Spring?

March 25 2018

We still have some snow on the ground, and temps mostly in the 40's.  One day it reached 60, and there has been little rain.  We had to get out there to savor each little plant that is making its way up through the soil.

Marie and I visited three parks that day, all in Ottawa County.  First Hager (Hardwood) Park to find commas!  When Spring Beauty puts up its little leaves, we think they look like commas. 

 

    Spring Beauty leaves

Next stop Grand River Park...

 

 

At Grand River Park we see Harbinger-of-Spring, I was thinking it was just too early, and it was.  We did not find a sign of Harbinger-of-Spring, we did see something sprouting up though.

 

 

After the Grand River Park walk, we went on to Aman Park. 

 

We did find some Spring!

 

    Fur covered and very new, Hepatica

 These were on a hillside that had been scoured by the snow and ice.

 Hepatica leaves from last year....

 A very exposed Spring Beauty with tiny buds.

    Wild Leek   First the leaves show up, then after the leaves die off, the plant sends up a flower.

 We see many Paw Paw trees here.  Here is a fuzzy little bud.

 This place will be covered with Virginia Bluebells in a several weeks.
 

 Virginia Bluebell pushing out of the ground.

 

This is the place where we see hundreds of trillium blooming in late April and early May.  It looks bare for now.

Marie and I sat in the woods and listened for Spring... You could almost here the plants growing through the dried leaves, almost.  Then we heard a weak croaking sound coming from nearby.  I think it might have been a Wood Frog waking up.
It was so perfect sitting quietly in the woods....

 

Adventures in Michigan from December 2018

Some walks from December 2018 

 December 6  2018    Southern section of Hoffmaster State Park with Marie. The same day a walk around Black Lake Park.  We saw just a bit of the sun, and it was a nice day for a hike.

Lake Michigan

 .

     Little Black Lake

December 10 2018 Out for fun with my sister Marie, again.  This time we went to Grand River Park in Ottawa County, Michigan. 

Grand River

    Bambi Tree at the parking lot

We saw deer tracks going up this tree.  Must have been the rarely seen Tree Climbing Deer! 

 Some clouds, some sun.  Great day for a walk!

December 17 2018 Southern trails at Saugatuck Dunes State Park
This walk according to the map is 5.5 miles.  You start in tree covered sand dunes and end at Lake Michigan!  It is a beautiful walk, especially when the sun is shining. 



     Cloudy

    Sunny

Turkey Tails

 

  Beautiful Lake Michigan
  

 

 

 Part of the South Trail is a large loop, so going back we were on different trails than earlier.  Marie remembered a bunch of stumps that we came across last time we were here. (probably 2014)  And sure enough it wasn't long before we started to see stumps, lots of stumps dotting the dunes.
 
They are the stumps of Austrian Pine. "Around 2012 the DNR burned the pines to remove the Austrian Pines that were planted by a previous owner of the property to control erosion .  It is an invasive species.  The problem with Austrian pine is that it blocks the sunlight from the ground where native species are trying to grow, there presence tampers with the natural process of succession."


 

 

 It is a long uphill sandy climb on this section of the trail.  Whew!

 

Then back through the woods to the parking area.  It was a good hike!

December 19  My sister, Sugar, met me at Ottawa Sands, the new park in Ottawa County.  We also had a nice walk.  It is always good once you get out there.  Sometimes it is the getting out there, that is the hard part.

 

December 23  We were lucky enough to entertain our granddaughter, Vivienne, for the day.  We took her for a walk at Hofma Preserve.  Look more blue sky!

Christmas Day 2018   Our daughter, Betsy, and her husband Aaron joined us for a walk at Crockery Creek Natural Area. 

 

    Crockery Creek

So that wraps up 2018, well except for a trip to Big Bend National Park but who knows if I will get around to that post.  Hopefully more posts coming soon.  Thanks for stopping by!