Outdoor Adventures in Michigan July 2014

There were several fun and interesting outdoor adventures in July, here in west Michigan, especially nice with the comfortable weather.  We took advantage of the concerts in the park, Tuesday nights in Grand Haven and Thursday nights in Spring Lake. Every concert was great, a variety of music.  So if you live in the area I would recommend these free concerts. 

Here are a few photos of some of those adventures.
First was a visit to Muskegon County this time with Mike to see the orchid, Rose Pogonia!

July 7th, Marie and I were able to explore some of Newaygo County.  Camp Newaygo Wetland Trail, Newaygo Prairie, and Sailors Pines.

 The Newaygo Prairie is not far from the Wetland Trail, and it is always pleasant to visit.

After the Prairie, off to Sailors Pines, a new to us place.

"Sailors Pines is  a privately owned preserve of the stately Michigan White Pine where the public is welcome to visit this glimpse of our state's past.  Near Croton Pond, stands a testament to Michigan's past, a virgin old growth forest of stately white pines, towering over 100 feet tall and up to 24 inches in diameter.  A small plaque marks the entrance which dedicates this forest to the original owners, William and Elizabeth Sailors. The Sailors came from Indiana and became engaged in the lumbering business here in Michigan in the late 1800's."

 Mid July, Marie and I went to Bass River Recreation Area to explore a new place I saw on Bing maps.  This is the new place I wanted to go to - wet woods with maybe a pond. What a place!

There were dark clouds but we still had sunshine.

Not sure what kind of caterpillar this is - maybe Grapevine Epimenis (Psychomorpha epimenis)?

Into the third week of July, we visited Farview Park in Allegan County.  Farview is a park that has ponds and wet woods, it's a fun place.  We found Green Wood Orchid, several, but none were openly blooming.

I was walking along in the shallow water, ducking under bushes, when Marie let me know that this snake was in the bush ahead of me.  Harmless snake, but I wouldn't want to have it hanging around my neck.

Mike and I walk at Riverside Park in Ottawa County regularly, here are a few shots from Riverside.

At the end of July, Marie and I explored some places in Allegan Forest.  Including "Happy Boots Corner",  Mark Cassino's Homestead pond, and more.  Here are a few things we saw.

                                            Lizard's Tail

              See the purple?  That's an orchid!  Purple Fringed Orchid.

 We found one very scarlet Cardinal Flower blooming in these wet woods!  Just the one, here in this shady area.  Along the creek we found Monkey Flower and liverwort.  Very nice.

 Down the road and around a few corners to Homestead.  I learned of this place from Mark Cassino (http://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/). 

                                                 Hairy Pinweed (Lechea mucronata) Rock Rose Family

Well, Marie not only got a life plant here, Hairy Pinweed, but I found Virginia Meadow Beauty!!  I had only seen this plant one other time at Ross Coastal Plain Marsh in Van Buren County.  It was near the pond, hidden in tall grass.

 That will wrap up July 2014 now onto August!

 1. Ottawa County Happy Trails Camp  with Vivienne (previous post)
2. Muskegon County with Mike
3. Newaygo County with Marie
4. Ottawa County with Marie
5. Allegan County, Farview, and Herrick Library with Marie
6. Ottawa County, Riverside Park, several visits with Mike
7. Allegan County with Marie

Newaygo Prairie and Loda Lake

May 30 2013

Newaygo Prairie owned by Michigan Nature Association
110 acres in Newaygo County, Michigan     
Located northeast of Newaygo on the corner of Poplar Ave and 56th street, Newaygo Prairie is a great place to visit year round due to the variety of plants that inhabit it. Prickly pear, which blooms in July, is always a sight to see. Over 100 species of prairie plants can be found in the sanctuary, including: foxglove, yellow flax, prairie ragwort, American wild plum and needle grass. Whip-poor-wills in the nearby woods can often be heard singing throughout the prairie in early evening.
This dry sand prairie is a remnant of a complex that once spanned over 19,000 acres in Michigan. Only 4% of Michigan’s original sand prairie is left. Native tall grasses and other fire-adapted species thrive here.

 

 We saw Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense) Pink Family.

 We also saw Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) Rose Family. 

When Prairie Smoke goes wild...

 Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata)

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) Purslane family

Prairie Ragwort  (Senecio plattensis) Aster family

It was a warm and beautiful day for the prairie.
Next we drove north on M-37 to Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary.   

 

Loda Lake is the only Wildflower sanctuary in the National Forest System, a project supported both financially and botanically by the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan for over seventy years.  Loda Lake is an area that includes a small spring-fed lake, a bog-like wetland area, a creek and riparian marshy areas, oak forest, pine plantations, and an early successional old farm site.

 

 

 Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea)

                             Bladderwort

 Boardwalk at Loda Lake
 

 
We heard something moving through the bushes, it turned out to be a Snapping Turtle.

 

 My first orchid of the year, Pink Lady's Slipper or Pink Ladyslipper (Cypripedium acaule).

 Stream at Loda Lake

On the way home I took a picture of this barn, I think I have taken pictures of the same barn in the past.

That was about it for another wonderful day outdoors.