August 2014 was a time for wildflowering, hiking, kayaking, dune rides, and more concerts in the park. Also a visit from our oldest son, and Mike's three sisters.
Later in the month we got to see this beauty, Virginia Meadow Beauty! But first the month started with a day trip to Ludington State Park.
We picked up Marie to go for a hike at Ludington State Park in Mason County, Michigan. We usually walk the Island trail and the Lost Lake trail, and that is what we did this time, with a few side trips.
Ludington State Park is situated between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The trail runs through some islands along Hamlin Lake.
The red line shows where we walked, an easy 2 mile walk. Of course we saw many amazing plants.
Kayaking another day, starting at East Grand River Park in Grand Haven. We paddled west under the U.S. 31 highway, under the railroad bridge, under 3rd Street bridge. Continuing west along Linear Park, around the power plant, then east under the railroad bridge, under the U.S. 31 drawbridge, and back to the park.
That's Benjamin, my grandson, looking up at the cars crossing the drawbridge.
And Benjamin on an island!
This year for Benjamin's birthday I got him a fishing pole and tackle box, we have gone fishing several times.
Then up to the Silver Lake Dunes for an afternoon of "flying" over the dunes in a jeep, such fun. Just kidding - sorry but I didn't think it was fun.
Vivienne didn't enjoy the jeep ride much either so we spent time finding lots of treasures in the woods.
I don't spend much time at the beach and pier in Grand Haven, but with out-of-towners that's the thing to do. So a walk on the pier and sunset on Lake Michigan.
One August day my daughter, Betsy and I decided to take the kayaks out on our own. We loaded up the boats in the trailer and towed them to East Grand River Park. I really enjoyed this paddle, very relaxing. We paddled about 7 miles round trip! We even went under the Gidley Bridge, somewhat creepy.
This is a shot of going under Gidley Bridge.
After paddling that day Mike and I took a hike, not a walk, at Connor Bayou, an Ottawa County Park on the Grand River. I say a hike because we walked all the trails, way out on the loop along the river and all the way back thorough the woods to the entrance where we parked.
At Connor Bayou there is a log house that is available to rent.
Sun setting along the Grand River.
Below is a map of Connor Bayou Park. Looking at the map I guess we walked about 2 1/2 miles but it was getting dark and I had paddled for hours in the afternoon so maybe that is why it seemed like a hike?
Later in August, Marie and I went to a place in Ottawa County and saw some amazing plants. This place is especially fun because it has many small ponds. Some of the ponds were dug out for sand, some are from high ground water levels. We had so much fun here we came back the next week to explore a few more ponds.
We named the ponds, this one is Peninsula Pond. We came to see Virginia Meadow Beauty and we saw hundreds of these plants.
Virginia Meadow Beauty Rhexia
virginica
The plants were at all stages of flowering, hundreds had perfect blossoms. Below is a shot of a large group of Meadow Beauty.
Virginia Meadow Beauty has a distinctive urn shaped fruit that Thoreau once compared to a tiny cream pitcher.
We also found a plant in the Gentian Family that we had never seen before called Bartonia.
One common name Yellow Screwstem, Bartonia virginica.
There is also a Bartonia paniculata but that is not as common in our area as the first Bartonia.
Nodding Ladies' Tresses were blooming, this is an orchid.
At one point we were walking along the trail and Marie was leading. She saw a snake, a Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxi), on the trail near her feet. The Blue Racer took off to our right and climbed out on a branch of a pine tree about 5 feet off the ground! It was a big snake probably 4 to 5 feet long. Here are a few shots of it in the tree.
Blue Racer It's head is to the right and its tail goes off to the left.
Blue Racer Now the head is on the left and tail looped through the branches.
We also saw this thing! I researched it online and came up with Oak Hedgehog Gall, what colors.
In late August at Bass River Recreation Area, we saw a field of Cardinal Flower.
I guess that was most of August 2014. I'm sure I forgot something but who will know, right? I'm trying to get current with the blog because that is more interesting I think than old news. I mostly do this blog to keep track of my adventures and I use my camera to record these fun times. So sorry if I missed something, now onto September.
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
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