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!  

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....