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.

2026 Spring in Michigan

 Four days before Spring 2026

Four days later March 20, Spring at Connor Bayou Park.

 American Bald Eagle at Connor Bayou Park.

When Spring began here in Michigan, I was on my bike pedaling down the road to see Skunk Cabbage.  It was 48 degrees with clouds and some sunshine.

This is where the Skunk Cabbage grow.

About an hour later I was in our garden where tiny chickweed was blooming. I looked up at the sky, and this is what I saw. Maybe a Sun Dog or sun halo.

The first full day of Spring we walked at Stearns Creek Park.  The temperature was 62 degrees, and it was sunny.  A beautiful Spring day!  I checked the Trailing Arbutus and saw some tiny buds.  I looked at Spicebush but not much happening there either.  Still, it was great to be outside on such a lovely day.

Then I saw a Mourning Cloak flutter past!  First butterfly of the year for me.  It was too lively for a picture, so we walked on.  Just then a pretty leaf caught my eye, it was just a beech tree leaf with the sun shining through it, or was it?  I stepped towards it and it flew away!  It was an Eastern Comma Butterfly!  So beautiful.  It landed on an American Beech tree leaf.  Of course, I don’t carry my camera anymore, but I had my phone so got a picture.

I

Stearns Creek Park in Ottawa County Michigan 

This winter Mike has been keeping busy making sour dough bread and maple syrup.  We put 15 taps in our maple trees on February 16th.  The next morning, we had 5 gallons of sap. We have had many more gallons of sap since then. 

Happy Spring! 

2025 Autumn Colors in Michigan

 Michigan has had beautiful fall colors all the way into November this year.  Here are some parks and places we visited this Fall. 

October 14 2025 Ludington State Park 

October 14 2025

Gales Pond County Park in Oceana County

October 15

Stearns Creek County Park (north)

October 17 

Hofma Preserve, Grand Haven Township Park

October 19 2025

Connor Bayou Park, Ottawa County

October 21 2025 

Hofma Preserve, Grand Haven Township Park

October 21 2025

Stearns Creek Park, Ottawa County Park

October 24 2025

Rosy Mound Natural Area, Ottawa County Park

Barred Owl along the trail at Rosy Mound.

October 25 2025 Hofma Preserve

Tulip Tree

The leaves started to change color here around the middle of October.  The trees held their leaves a long time.  

Most mornings I have been riding my bike around the neighborhood. Every day I pedaled past the most colorful tree.  Finally, one day I stopped and took a picture.

Next post Wedding Anniversary trips up north. And more Fall color!