Hudsonville Nature Center and more Ottawa County places - April 2026

 April 12, 2026 

 Marie took me to Hudsonville Nature Center for a Spring wildflower walk with Craig Elston as our guide.  I’m not usually one for group walks but I did go and it was great.  Craig is a knowledgeable and easy-going guide. I enjoyed his talks about the different plants and I learned things.

Above is a picture of Twinleaf, Jeffersonia.  This is what we came to see. It was only in bud and a bit off the trail.  Since I didn’t want to make a spectacle of myself, I zoomed in with my phone and this is the only picture I got of Twinleaf.  Oh well maybe next year we will see it bloom!  I really enjoyed this day.  

At Stearns Creek Park we saw a Box Turtle. April 13, 2026

Stearns Creek, Ottawa County

Here are a few more things at Stearns Creek on April 16th. 

Earthstar fungus

First day this year I saw Shad, Serviceberry blooming.

April 14th Connor Bayou Park has many beautiful hepatica flowers.  We go to this park often. 

Connor Bayou and the Grand River April 14, 2026

On April 16th, I met my sister, Sugar, at Rycenga Recreation Area in Spring Lake Township.  There has been lots of rain and flooding throughout Michigan, so the water was higher than I’ve ever seen it.

Cup Fungus

                                      Ferns starting to unfurl.

                                        Rycenga Park

April 17th, I looked out the kitchen window and saw this Pileated Woodpecker!

April 18th Mike and I walked at Hemlock Crossing in Ottawa County.  It was a beautiful day!

April seems to be flying past.  So many places to walk, yet so little time.  Thanks for stopping by.

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!  

Aman Park in Ottawa County Michigan

 April 30 2025 Marie and I walked at Aman Park to see the wildflowers.  It is a special place with many trails, a creek, and a variety of wildflowers. We had a lovely day, thanks again Marie for taking me.

Sand Creek

Trillium 

Aberration on a trillium and below on a Spring Beauty

Virginia Bluebell

Lousewort