Elk Rapids Almanac-October 2017
 
October 1-This Mountain Ash tree was in full glory at Farmer White’s, just south of town.  An Indiana couple was asking about the tree, and wondering if it would grow in Indiana.  We all chimed in with an affirmative.
Native to the northern hemisphere, Sorbus Americana, mountain ash, is a hardy ornamental tree/ shrub native to the Northern Hemisphere, and not related to the true ashes. They are deciduous and bear flat-topped clusters of white flowers followed by orange or brilliant red berrylike fruits in the fall, for which they are widely cultivated as ornamentals, and greatly enjoyed by hungry birds. This tree is one of the most revered plants in the folklore of the Old World. Bits of its wood were thought to avert disaster and ward off evil influences, and known as "Thor's helper". __Royce Ragland
 
October 5-Preditors and Monarch butterfly larvae- Monarch butterfly 2017 update in Michigan: “Monarch populations are increasing in Michigan, but they are still low due to factors including milkweed quality and predators. We are interested to hear if you’ve seen organisms preying on monarch eggs and caterpillars.” _Posted on October 5, 2017 by Douglas Landis, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology.  For more information contact [email protected] 

October 14-
Promise
 
 I will listen and taste
life in every season
in all earth cycles
spring, summer, fall, winter
through sun, wind, rain
frost, snow.
 
I smell, feel, see, kiss
 the full hot greenery
beneath my dance
happy to live awaiting
the wild bloom her
ripe flower to ferment
and give wine.
 
Linda Travis
10-14-17
 
 
 
October 21-While hiking at Maple Bay, we spoke with a birder from Charlevoix who asked if we had seen any kinglets. 
Since we both drew a blank, he proceeded to describe them to us as follows:          Kinglets are found in our region, and he has seen them at Grass River. There are two types; the Golden-crowned Kinglet and the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. These small birds are more often heard than seen, making a “whissing” sound high in the treetops, and are barely bigger than a hummingbird.  They are often seen with chickadees, hanging upside down while searching for their food.  The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is found in deciduous forest mixed with conifers. The Golden-crown Kinglet prefers the conifer forest._Two GreenER hikers

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kinglet

Mountian Ash tree

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