Tag: Skunk Cabbage


Coming to a Woods Near You – Really!

5
April
Skunk Cabbage

Skunk Cabbage

It has been a long cold winter and some of us are skeptical that spring will ever come this year, but spring is happening around us. A couple of nights ago while driving through Riverside, I heard frogs for the first time this spring. Many birds such as Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Killdeer and Sandhill Cranes have all returned from their wintering grounds and can be heard singing from morning till evening. And yes the spring wildflowers are beginning to expose themselves in the woods and wetlands.

Toothwort

Toothwort

While at the Hudsonville Nature Center today I could identify some early spring flowers that I found. The Skunk Cabbage has already bloomed and beginning to send up the bright green leaves; although still small they are a welcome sight this spring. Wild leeks are also showing rolled leaves, Spring Beauty is leafed out and showing little round balls of flower buds. Toothworts are showing up as curious little purple plants just poking through the leaf litter in the woods and Marsh Marigolds are unfolding their leaves. As we have warmer weather over the next few weeks there will be flowers blooming and many more plants coming out from a long winters nap.

Moss

While you are out in the woods, keep in mind that with the moisture of spring the mosses are worth looking for as well as the beloved flower of spring. With some warm sunny days ahead get out and see how much you can find.

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Much Ado in Winter

4
December
Fall cattail

Cattail

As the weather begins to cool and visions of snow covered landscapes are only a dream so far this year, there is much to experience in West Michigan out of doors this time of year. With the warm fall, things like Skunk Cabbage and other spring ephemerals that begin their growth in the fall are exposed for the viewing with the lack of snow this year. The warm weather has been good for a comfortable walk in the woods, but even when it is cold it’s a good time of year to be out. Chances are you’ll be alone or one of the few who venture out and many times in winter, the place to be to enjoy the view around you is to be where everyone else isn’t   As you pass by the wetlands or ditches along the road, check out the cattails and other vegetation. As the snow and ice comes this dead vegetation can become very photogenic.

Winter birds are more friendly and easier to observe since they are not so territorial or protecting young at this time of year. Many species also come down from the more northern areas to the Great Lakes for the winter in search of food and milder weather.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle at Palomita Preserve

As the cold comes and ice begins to form on the local lakes and waterways, water fowl and eagles will congregate at the open water in the ice to feed. This is also a good time to find birds we don’t often see in our area. A few weeks ago a White-winged Crossbill was sighted at Hemlock Crossings Park in Ottawa County. The lakeshore areas are some of the best for birding this time of year. Even though Eagles are becoming more and more common in West Michigan, they are still a welcome sight. Eagles can be seen around the Palomita Preserve along Lakeshore drive south of Grand Haven. They will be by the open water in Grand Haven and Holland areas when it finally freezes things up. The next month or so will be great times to view these majestic birds if we get the ice to consolidate them into easier to find areas.

Rare or uncommon birds can also show up at the bird feeders through the winter months. There are already reports of Redpolls in the area and these birds will show up at feeders when the weather turns cold and the natural seeds are under the snow.

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