​Elk Rapids Almanac

Elk Rapids Almanac, July 2025
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July 8-A female loon known as Fe (Fay), at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula, has set a record for the world’s most productive common loon, hatching chicks # 43 and # 44, and estimated to be at least 39 years old. For many years her mate was a male loon known as ABJ, but they split in 2022. Fe’s new partner is unbanded and unnamed, but present. ABJ is also one of the oldest loons in the world, has a new partner, and is easily recognized by his broken bill, likely caused in a territorial fight with another male loon.
- Tribune News Service

Photo By: Jan Toscano

July 15-Although commonly called “seagulls”, the birds we see around the village beaches and water areas are correctly called “gulls”. Most frequently seen here are herring gulls and ring-billed gulls. Herring gulls are larger with pale legs and a red spot on their beak, while ring-billed gulls have a black ring around their beak and yellow legs. Gulls are scavengers and eat fish, insects, garbage on the beach, etc.
-www.allaboutbirds.org
Note: A tiny island just off the coast of Northport Bay, Gull Island, is preserved as a sanctuary for thousands of herring gulls, whose populations have declined in the last few decades. Herring gulls help to keep other gulls in check, mate for life, and will abandon their nests at the slightest disturbance, including boat noise. Gull Island has been an important resource for scientific studies in population ecology, toxicology, and animal behavior. Gull colonies have nested there for at least 4000 years. Humans are strictly forbidden on the island, which includes dangers from old ruins, rusty nails, feces, and deadly fungal spores. The island has been owned by the Leelanau Conservancy since 1994.
- Info: leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/gull-island-preserve/

Note: A seagull was the inspiration for a best seller novella, Johnathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach, in 1970. In 1972 it became number one on the New York Times bestseller list and remained there for 37 weeks. The theme celebrated the strength of the individual and the joy of finding one’s own way.​

July 16- "Life is hard, yard by yard; inch by inch, it's a cinch"; was imprinted on a yardstick we had in my house growing up. I think of that saying when I look out at my wife's vegetable garden. When we bought our home at the corner of 1st and Cedar, the side lot inspired little confidence in its ability to produce food. In year 1, we wiped the slate clean. We seeded grass and decided that every year we would have less of it. In year 2 we plotted a modest garden and brought in better soil. 

Photo By: William Cron

​Results were mixed, adjustments were made, and by year 3, July meant bowls of fresh-picked veggies on the
kitchen counter. Year 4 has seen expansion, more yard taken up in favor of more planting space. Today I look out at Beth, in her happy place in the garden, impressed by her ability to coax a wonderful variety of things out of once faceless ground. Inch by inch, row by row.
-William Cron

July 25-ReLeaf Michigan’s Big Tree Hunt, a free, family-friendly contest, is seeking nominations in several categories before the Aug. 22 deadline: Largest tree in every Michigan county; largest tree found by a Big Tree Hunter age 16 or older; largest tree found by a Big Tree Hunter age 15 or younger; largest White Pine Michigan’s state tree); and potential new state champions for specific tree species.
-Enter submissions at: www.releafmichigan.org.