Elk Rapids Almanac
October 1
The Elk River is known as a productive fishing spot for salmon at this time of year. These three fishermen from Akron, Ohio were recently casting in Elk River near Cedar Street (see picture below). Although they practice “catch and release”, they planned to keep a few fish for dinner.
The Elk River is known as a productive fishing spot for salmon at this time of year. These three fishermen from Akron, Ohio were recently casting in Elk River near Cedar Street (see picture below). Although they practice “catch and release”, they planned to keep a few fish for dinner.
October 2
A bird ruckus in the adjoining woods started at 6:15 a.m. and was likely a battle between crows and ravens. There were about 20 black birds flying back and forth in the tall pine trees, dive bombing each other. Things settled down after about 30 minutes, but with no clear victors. _West side bird watchers.Note: Some interesting points about ravens and crows:
There are three species of crows in North America (Corvus app) but only the American Crow and Common Raven are found in the Midwest.
Though similar in appearance, ravens are slightly larger, have a wedge-shaped tail, shaggy throat feathers, and a call that is a hoarse croak compared to the “caw” of a crow.
Ravens often travel in pairs, while crows are often seen in large groups. A raven's wing makes a prominent "swish, swish" sound, while a crow's wingbeat is usually silent. Crows almost exclusively instigate any aggressive interactions with ravens, generally during the breeding season, most likely due to nest predation by ravens.
Crows will eat almost anything, most commonly earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds and fruit, garbage, carrion and chicks they rob from nests. They will peck larger fruits, making them unsalable.
Ravens will occasionally injure very young livestock during or shortly after birth, pecking at exposed tissue around the face or hindquarters, and can cause wounds or death.
Crows are a protected species under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but with a provision that they can be trapped or killed under some conditions. (Ravens are not included)
Crow and raven damage to agriculture includes feeding on corn and other grains, damage to fruit such as cherries, apples or melons, and injury of newborn livestock (ravens only).
https://www.canr.msu.edu/outrea Common and Latin name: Crows and ravens (Corvus spp)ch/wildlife-crows.pdf
Note: Both crows and ravens have numerous symbolic meanings, including Native American symbols of the Raven as a trickster figure, symbol of transformation or even creation, and Biblical references of the Raven as a symbol of God’s care and provisions. Carl Jung associated the Raven with the dark side of the psyche.
A bird ruckus in the adjoining woods started at 6:15 a.m. and was likely a battle between crows and ravens. There were about 20 black birds flying back and forth in the tall pine trees, dive bombing each other. Things settled down after about 30 minutes, but with no clear victors. _West side bird watchers.Note: Some interesting points about ravens and crows:
There are three species of crows in North America (Corvus app) but only the American Crow and Common Raven are found in the Midwest.
Though similar in appearance, ravens are slightly larger, have a wedge-shaped tail, shaggy throat feathers, and a call that is a hoarse croak compared to the “caw” of a crow.
Ravens often travel in pairs, while crows are often seen in large groups. A raven's wing makes a prominent "swish, swish" sound, while a crow's wingbeat is usually silent. Crows almost exclusively instigate any aggressive interactions with ravens, generally during the breeding season, most likely due to nest predation by ravens.
Crows will eat almost anything, most commonly earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds and fruit, garbage, carrion and chicks they rob from nests. They will peck larger fruits, making them unsalable.
Ravens will occasionally injure very young livestock during or shortly after birth, pecking at exposed tissue around the face or hindquarters, and can cause wounds or death.
Crows are a protected species under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but with a provision that they can be trapped or killed under some conditions. (Ravens are not included)
Crow and raven damage to agriculture includes feeding on corn and other grains, damage to fruit such as cherries, apples or melons, and injury of newborn livestock (ravens only).
https://www.canr.msu.edu/outrea Common and Latin name: Crows and ravens (Corvus spp)ch/wildlife-crows.pdf
Note: Both crows and ravens have numerous symbolic meanings, including Native American symbols of the Raven as a trickster figure, symbol of transformation or even creation, and Biblical references of the Raven as a symbol of God’s care and provisions. Carl Jung associated the Raven with the dark side of the psyche.
October 15
Fall gardens in the village: Sonia Perry, Chair of the ER Beautification Commission, says “the big project for gardens this time of year is putting them to bed. Cutting down perennials, trimming bushes, pulling out annuals and raking the leaves. We try to have everything neat and ready for spring!”
Cheryl Bachman, co-president of Elk Rapids Garden Club, notes that “While we trim them back and put our gardens to bed at this time of year, we also leave some plants for the birds and for winter interest in the gardens.
Fall gardens in the village: Sonia Perry, Chair of the ER Beautification Commission, says “the big project for gardens this time of year is putting them to bed. Cutting down perennials, trimming bushes, pulling out annuals and raking the leaves. We try to have everything neat and ready for spring!”
Cheryl Bachman, co-president of Elk Rapids Garden Club, notes that “While we trim them back and put our gardens to bed at this time of year, we also leave some plants for the birds and for winter interest in the gardens.
October 19
While freshwater is Michigan’s defining feature, northern white cedar grows quietly in the ever-changing wetlands, along riverbanks, fastening stony cliffs, rising from low and uplands. During June, a visit to the Lake Huron shoreline in the Eastern U.P. is to be in awe of evergreen islands and intoxicated by the saccharine scent of cedar forest, and now, in October, we’ve reached the season when these slow-growing trees open their small cones, letting go of seeds with wing-like coats-autumn’s wind to carry their familial hope. _Dani Knoph, artist: DaniKnoph.com
While freshwater is Michigan’s defining feature, northern white cedar grows quietly in the ever-changing wetlands, along riverbanks, fastening stony cliffs, rising from low and uplands. During June, a visit to the Lake Huron shoreline in the Eastern U.P. is to be in awe of evergreen islands and intoxicated by the saccharine scent of cedar forest, and now, in October, we’ve reached the season when these slow-growing trees open their small cones, letting go of seeds with wing-like coats-autumn’s wind to carry their familial hope. _Dani Knoph, artist: DaniKnoph.com
October 20
If you hike at Maple Bay, you may have noticed a new fence installation near the beach. Volunteers and staff from Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy recently installed a cable fence at Maple Bay. This is designed to protect the sand dunes and the fragile plants. _Gary Stauffer, Maple Bay volunteer (volunteer opportunities: gtrlc.org)
Note: Dunes in Michigan are getting more notice these days, including a recent novel by Jim Olson, legendary environmental attorney and founder of FLOW. Olson uses issues of the coastal dunes as a parable for Earth’s struggles, exploring issues of ethics, character, rights, and respect, as his protagonist Judge Holmes struggles to find a path forward in a global sand mining confrontation _Jim Olson, People of the Dune. 2024.
If you hike at Maple Bay, you may have noticed a new fence installation near the beach. Volunteers and staff from Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy recently installed a cable fence at Maple Bay. This is designed to protect the sand dunes and the fragile plants. _Gary Stauffer, Maple Bay volunteer (volunteer opportunities: gtrlc.org)
Note: Dunes in Michigan are getting more notice these days, including a recent novel by Jim Olson, legendary environmental attorney and founder of FLOW. Olson uses issues of the coastal dunes as a parable for Earth’s struggles, exploring issues of ethics, character, rights, and respect, as his protagonist Judge Holmes struggles to find a path forward in a global sand mining confrontation _Jim Olson, People of the Dune. 2024.
Coming in November
Leonids meteor showers, November 3-December 2, peaking November 18 _Earthsky.org
Leonids meteor showers, November 3-December 2, peaking November 18 _Earthsky.org