2022 January 7 - Two walks on a snowy day at Hofma Preserve and Stearns Creek Park

Wednesday January 5, 2022, Ottawa County Michigan and surrounding areas were under a Winter Storm Warning.  The morning was clear, in the afternoon the snow started falling and kept coming for the next two days.  There were breaks in the snowstorm and the sun would peek out at times.  I'm not sure what the total snowfall amount for our area was but last night at Stearns Creek Park the snow was more than 18 inches deep on the trail.

Yesterday I was lucky to go on two walks.  One in the morning at Hofma Preserve with my daughter and one in the evening with Mike at Stearns Creek Park.

First Hofma Preserve.  I really like walking here.  It has so many different features like the float bridge that takes you over Pottawattomie Bayou to Hofma Park, the overlook tower, and the addition of an old tree farm.  There are miles of trails and so many interesting places.

If you look closely, you can see the float bridge in the picture above.

We named this the Barred Owl trail, we have seen the owl here twice.  We actually saw it fly off yesterday while we were near the swampy area.  Sometimes you might hear its "Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all" call. 

Stearns Creek Park walk was in the evening, it took over an hour to walk two miles through the deep snow.  When we got back to the car it was getting dark so not many pictures.  The snow was up past my knees (18 inches +) and on some trails, no one had walked on them since the fresh batch of snow.

No tracks on the trail.  It is difficult to tell but believe me it was a lot of work walking through this beautiful snow.  Also, very peaceful.

It was a good day to be outside. The temperature was around 20 degrees F. and very little wind.   I hope you enjoyed the walks.

Hofma Preserve Grand Haven Michigan. October 2021

 A walk at Hofma Preserve in Grand Haven Township 

This is the park I walk at most often.  It is close to home, it has woods, water, lots of trails. 

Hofma Preserve has 446 acres with approximately 4.5 miles of trails, an 885 foot floating bridge, 17 space parking area and a restroom.

Hofma Park has 120 acres with 1 shelter, a restroom, a soccer field, 78 space parking area, a softball field and a developed playground.

More Spring Things

Different places, different things....

           Spring Beauty

         Riverside Park - Ottawa County Michigan

     Wild Geranium

                                               Running Strawberry Bush


 Box Turtle
Hofma Perserve  -  Grand Haven Township Park

     Creek somewhere

               Marsh Marigold

 Cedar Apple Rust

 Cedar Apple Rust after a warm rain

Trillium - Nodding Or maybe Drooping?

 Wild Blue Phlox at Riverside Park, Ottawa County

 Flooding at Connor Bayou Park along the Grand River

 Connor Bayou

 There is a trail under all that water.  Connor Bayou Park

 Connor Bayou Park

      Columbine

   Starflower

                               Mayapple

         Lupine

       Squaw Root just coming up.

            Herb Robert


  First blooming Orchid for me this year at Stearns Creek Park, Pink Lady's Slipper


           Wood Sorrel

                        Royal Fern

 

 This beaver spied Mike and I from about 400 feet across the water.  It came fast towards us, then swam back and forth in front of us.  Every so often it would slap its tail and dive under the water.  We watched it for a few minutes, I took some video with my phone, then we left the area. 

 

Today it is 93 degrees!  We went from a nice cool spring, to hot summer days!  Spring  always seems to go fast, it was a good spring.

Take Care!