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. 

Spring? And Harbinger of Spring.

 Spring began while Mike and I were on the Manistee River Trail.  It was a cool day with sunshine and blue sky.  A perfect day for a walk on our favorite trail.

There was no snow at home but as we drove north 120 miles, oh boy there was snow and ice!

Part of the Manistee River Trail March 20, 2022

This is what most of the unpaved roads were like on that day.

Luckily, I’m getting smarter, and I brought my boots with spikes.  We hiked from the Hodenply Dam south to the waterfalls.  It was about a 4.5-mile hike that took about 2.5 hours walking time.   Roughly 80% of the trail had snow, ice, and slippery clay so I was glad to have those spikes.  It really was a nice day.

On March 23, 2022, Marie picked me up for a day of fun.  We went to Hager Hardwood Park, an Ottawa County Park.  We were looking for Harbinger of Spring, a very tiny little plant.  And there it was, blooming!  Even though it was a gray and wet day.  

We also saw the Vernal Witch Hazel, Spring blooming Witch Hazel.

We stopped in at Grand Ravines Park, another Ottawa County Park, for a little more walking.

We had a good day.  I’m so glad Marie got me outside!  

Thanks for stopping by.  

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....

 

Still Cold In Michigan

March 29 2011  Marie and I spent 3 hours in the deep wet woods of Aman Park, where no trails go.  What is it about these shallow wet areas that are so inviting?  We stopped to listen for Spring but didn't hear it.

We did see, then heard a Barred Owl.  When I imitated its "Who cooks for you, all" we heard a deer snort back at me.  Such fun.  Still cold though and not many plants are coming out of the frozen ground.

                                                                     Ice

                            Swampy woodlands at Aman Park
We checked often for Spicebush which blooms soon with little yellow blossoms.  We found it but not yet open.

                                                      Spicebush will soon bloom yellow.

        Wild Leek pushing through the sandy mud near Sand Creek in Ottawa County.
We saw the garden escape, Snow Drops blooming, there at Aman.  I did find Hepatica barely open and so furry.

   Going by its leaves left from last year, it is Sharp-Lobed Hepatica.

Leaving Aman Park just after noon we traveled 10 miles by car to Hager Park if we could have flown like a bird it would have been 4 miles.  Hager Park is an Ottawa County Park here is some info about the park -

This popular 104 acre family park has a full array of recreational opportunities including extensive picnic areas and nature trails. The mature hardwood forest is well known for its spectacular spring wildflowers in April and May. A highlight of the park is the Age of Discovery community-built playground which overlooks a terrain map of the United States.

 This is an aerial view of the terrain map of the U.S. at Hager Park, notice the green mounds for the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains, lines of rock represent the Mississippi  River and the Colorado River, the states are outlined too. 

                                                       At Hager Park

                                                   Larch springing out

                                                      Hager Creek

                                                  Wildlife in Hager Creek
We walked at Hager for about 2 1/2 hours, how do we do it?  It was 41 degrees very sunny with blue skies.  The last picture is of the Grand River as we crossed it on the M-45 bridge near Allendale.