Elk Rapids Almanac
June Bird watch
In late May we discovered a robin was building her nest in our front door wreath, and we soon became avid bird watchers. In a few days four blue eggs appeared, and about two weeks later three of them hatched. With hungry mouths to feed, the parents kept busy foraging in the front yard (among the native species plants!) and along the roadside. Although the babies were indifferent to our presence inside the door, the parents would not visit the nest if we were in sight. Within two weeks the babies were flexing their wings, and the parents began to hover in place in front of the nest, presumably encouraging the babies to take flight. We observed one baby take flight and bump into the porch roof as it flew away, and the second and third babies departed when we were not looking. We miss our front door birdwatching and are newly inspired by the Amy Tan book, Backyard Bird Chronicles, 2024. _Ottawa Street bird watchers
Note: Birdwatching really took flight during the pandemic, with a whopping 96 million people in the U.S. dedicated to the hobby, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birding helps you connect with nature, doing wonders for both your physical and mental health, from improving your cognition to lowering your blood pressure, and calming anxiety and stress_nationalgeographic.com
Note: Birdwatching really took flight during the pandemic, with a whopping 96 million people in the U.S. dedicated to the hobby, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birding helps you connect with nature, doing wonders for both your physical and mental health, from improving your cognition to lowering your blood pressure, and calming anxiety and stress_nationalgeographic.com
Monarch caterpillars on butterfly weed
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Wildflowers in landscaping
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June 15
When two families happened to meet at Maplehurst Natural Area, a great fishing adventure ensued. One six-year-old girl was getting fishing lessons from her dad when we arrived with our seven-year-old granddaughter and her fishing rod. Together the girls watched their dads demonstrate the art of bait casting with night crawlers and the “catch and release” practice by unhooking the fish and putting them back in the water to live another day. The girls proudly reeled in several big mouth bass, and the adults had fun being teachers. Both families had supported the old Camp Maplehurst acquisition by Milton Township with assistance by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, now a place where all ages can experience hiking, bird watching, peacefulness, fishing for those 16 years of age and under, and a general lifting of the spirits! _Family fans of Maplehurst Natural Area
June 22
At the end of the day, when I slow down, look at the lake, and just listen, my favorite evening sound is hearing the call of the loons.
Common loons, with their eerie calls, are icons of the northern lakes and forests in Canada and the northern United States. They breed in Canada and the northern United States including Alaska, and in the winter migrate to coastal ocean waters. They are impressive swimmers and divers. Unlike most bird species, common loons have solid bones, which makes them less buoyant and more effective at maneuvering through water. Legs set far back on their bodies helps them maneuver through water, but causes them to move awkwardly on land, typically only going ashore to nest. The loon can stay underwater for up to five minutes, its signature red eyes helping it locate prey while submerged. Common loons are skilled in flight, sometimes reaching speeds of 70 miles an hour. Because of their relatively heavy bodies, they need a long "runway" to take off for flight and can only do so from water. Their legs trail out behind them while in flight, a characteristic held by all loons. audubon.org; nwf.org _Cheryl Bachman on Bass Lake
Common loons, with their eerie calls, are icons of the northern lakes and forests in Canada and the northern United States. They breed in Canada and the northern United States including Alaska, and in the winter migrate to coastal ocean waters. They are impressive swimmers and divers. Unlike most bird species, common loons have solid bones, which makes them less buoyant and more effective at maneuvering through water. Legs set far back on their bodies helps them maneuver through water, but causes them to move awkwardly on land, typically only going ashore to nest. The loon can stay underwater for up to five minutes, its signature red eyes helping it locate prey while submerged. Common loons are skilled in flight, sometimes reaching speeds of 70 miles an hour. Because of their relatively heavy bodies, they need a long "runway" to take off for flight and can only do so from water. Their legs trail out behind them while in flight, a characteristic held by all loons. audubon.org; nwf.org _Cheryl Bachman on Bass Lake
Note: A First Nation legend says to see a Loon means a dream will come true or a wish will be answered.
June 23
After replacing two 3’ wide strips of grass along the driveway with native wildflowers, we have been treated to monarch caterpillars on the butterfly weed and a variety of pollinating bees flying from flower to flower. Replacing turf grass with an assortment of native plants is a fascinating illustration of the power of plants to attract pollinators. _ Elise Roe of Ada and Elk Rapids