Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary

 Monday April 25 2022

Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary in southwest Michigan ~ 85 miles south from my home.  Spring is said to travel north about 100 miles per week, so Spring comes earlier to Dowagiac Woods than Grand Haven.

It was a mostly cloudy day with a few sprinkles of rain and the temperature was in the low 50’s.  It has been a cooler Spring than most years, and some plants have been a bit slower too.

Here is some of what Marie and I saw on our 1 mile walk that  took us 4 hours just because there is so much to see at Dowagiac Woods.

                                           Double Hepatica on one stem

It was a wonderful day! 

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.  

Dowagiac Woods

 Dowagiac Woods April 6 2021

Marie took me south (85 miles) to Dowagiac Woods to see spring wildflowers.  It was a beautiful day, even a tad bit warm (80 Degrees).  The wildflowers were blooming and the frogs were singing.  

Hepatica is my favorite spring wildflower.  At Dowagiac Woods the ground is covered with them and Spring Beauty, Purple Cress, Dutchman's Britches, Bloodroot, Wild Ginger, Harbinger of Spring, Trout Lily, Blue-Eyed Mary, Marsh Marigold, Buttercup, Mayapple...

There are so many variations of Hepatica found here, I especially like the dark purple.

We also saw...

 Another fun adventure!