Grand River Park and Grand River Open Space in Ottawa County Michigan

 Grand River Park- Ottawa County, Michigan
Early in September we had a beautiful day for a walk in the park.

Beautiful day, beautiful wildflowers.

 Moth Mullein  Verbascum blattaria  Figwort family

This is an introduced biennial plant. There are two basic color forms: plants that produce yellow flowers, and those that produce white flowers. The common name refers to the fancied resemblance of the flowers to moths.

       Great Blue Lobelia  Lobelia siphilitica  Bellflower family
  

 Beechdrops  Epifagus virginiana  Broomrape family 
This native parasitic plant contains no chlorophyll and obtains its nutrients from the roots of American Beech tree. Without the presence of this tree, Beechdrops cannot survive.

This  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  Arisaema triphyllum Arum family, had bright red berries that caught my eye.  It is a native perennial plant, the red berries are eaten by some woodland birds, including  the Wood Thrush and the Wild Turkey.

I saw more than one of these Hickory Tussock Moths (or Hickory Tiger Moth) Lophocampa caryae.  Very pretty but don't touch.

We also visited another Ottawa County property.  Grand River Open Space - 10851 Linden Drive Allendale, MI 49544.  Grand River Open Space is an undeveloped 233 acre wetland with 1.25 miles of Grand River waterfront. The property has undergone restoration which included planting 15,000 native tree and shrub seedlings such as swamp white oak, black walnut, hackberry, redbud, black cherry, witch hazel, dogwood and elderberry plus other species native to the floodplain. 
Available at the property,

• Small parking area and information kiosk
• Off-trail hiking and cross-country skiing
• Dogs are allowed on or off leash
• Firearm and archery deer hunting

 Grasshopper on a dried Common Teasel at Grand River Open Space.

Another beautiful day outdoors with my sister Marie.  We are very lucky to be able to go out one day a week to parks and places, seeking wildflowers and other interesting things.