Five Lakes Muskegon Nature Sanctuary

2010 07 01 Our visit to Five Lakes. Owned by  Michigan Nature Association.  A large lake existed in this area around 1836. That one lake separated to five small lakes within the next 140 years. By 1975, two of the five lakes had dried up.
 These are a few of the flowers we saw that day:


Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis),


Shrubby St. Johswort (Hypericum Spathulatum)

Pickerelweed (Ponterderia cordata),

Leaf of the Pickerelweed,

Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria).

Five Lakes Nature Sanctuary Muskegon, Michigan

June 3, 2013
First stop for the day was along White Road in Muskegon, Michigan - we have been here before and there is a small parking area.  The gated two-track runs all the way down to the Muskegon River near Mosquito Creek and Spring Creek.  The property is owned by the State of Michigan. 

 Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis)  Bean family

 

In the parking lot we saw Wild Lupine, Hoary Puccoon, and Birdfoot Violet.  It was a chilly start to the day but quickly warmed up with the sunshine.
 

 Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) Borage family

 

 

We also saw White Campion, Silverweed,  Tower Mustard, Sheep Sorrel, Wild Lily-of-the-Valley, Wild Geranium, Dame's Rocket, Wild Columbine.

Next stop was a place called Lane's Landing, more Michigan State Game Area off Maple Island Road.  Here the gate was open and we drove past the trees and out into the open field.

At Lane's Landing was saw Bird's foot trefoil, Virginia Waterleaf, Cow Vetch, cinquefoil, Yellow Goatsbeard, and buttercups.

We made our way to Five Lakes Nature Sanctuary, 88 acres in Muskegon County owned by the Michigan Nature Association. 

 We saw Field Hawkweed, Birdfoot Violet, Frostweed, tadpoles, many birds, and beautiful bunches of False Heather.

False Heather (Hudsonia tomentosa)  Rock-rose family


 Frostweed  (Helianthemum canadense)  Family Rockrose

It is amazing how fast the day goes by when I'm with my sister Marie out roaming for wildflowers.  It is always fun and something I really look forward to.