Bass River Recreation Area Wildflower Hunt

2013 08 13 We went to some of our favorite places at Bass River Rec. Area, looking for Nodding Ladies' Tresses or any other Michigan wildflowers.  Here are a few of the flowers we found...

 Sleepy Catchfly  (Silene antirrhina) Pink family
This native annual plant is about ½–2' tall and unbranched, except near the apex where the inflorescence occurs.  A typical flower has 5 spreading petals that are notched at their tips.  The leaves are opposite.  Most varieties have sticky patches on the stem, which provides this species with its common name.

 Here is one of the super secret areas Marie and I explore.

 Horsemint was still blooming in mid August.

 Swamp Milkweed

 Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis) The plant can often be detected by its minty scent before it is seen.  The stems are erect and square, as most mint do have a square stem.
We also found Water Horehound and Bugleweed.

 Beautiful Wood Nymph, (Eudryas grata)  A moth with a distinctive pattern of white, yellow and dark brown.  This moth’s coloration and resting posture mimic a bird dropping. The Beautiful Wood Nymph is a moth of forests, we found them on cattail leaves.

 At Bass we find Fringe-tip Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii), which usually blooms in early September.  We didn't find them blooming but we definitely saw the plant.

Here is a photo from 2011 of this gentian blooming.

We did find Russian Thistle, also known as tumbleweed, it is in the goosefoot family. 

The water was gone here in this pond area...
We did see Frogfruit, Cardinal Flower, Monkeyflower, and we were rained on just a bit.

Outdoor Adventures in Michigan July 2014

There were several fun and interesting outdoor adventures in July, here in west Michigan, especially nice with the comfortable weather.  We took advantage of the concerts in the park, Tuesday nights in Grand Haven and Thursday nights in Spring Lake. Every concert was great, a variety of music.  So if you live in the area I would recommend these free concerts. 

Here are a few photos of some of those adventures.
First was a visit to Muskegon County this time with Mike to see the orchid, Rose Pogonia!

July 7th, Marie and I were able to explore some of Newaygo County.  Camp Newaygo Wetland Trail, Newaygo Prairie, and Sailors Pines.

 The Newaygo Prairie is not far from the Wetland Trail, and it is always pleasant to visit.

After the Prairie, off to Sailors Pines, a new to us place.

"Sailors Pines is  a privately owned preserve of the stately Michigan White Pine where the public is welcome to visit this glimpse of our state's past.  Near Croton Pond, stands a testament to Michigan's past, a virgin old growth forest of stately white pines, towering over 100 feet tall and up to 24 inches in diameter.  A small plaque marks the entrance which dedicates this forest to the original owners, William and Elizabeth Sailors. The Sailors came from Indiana and became engaged in the lumbering business here in Michigan in the late 1800's."

 Mid July, Marie and I went to Bass River Recreation Area to explore a new place I saw on Bing maps.  This is the new place I wanted to go to - wet woods with maybe a pond. What a place!

There were dark clouds but we still had sunshine.

Not sure what kind of caterpillar this is - maybe Grapevine Epimenis (Psychomorpha epimenis)?

Into the third week of July, we visited Farview Park in Allegan County.  Farview is a park that has ponds and wet woods, it's a fun place.  We found Green Wood Orchid, several, but none were openly blooming.

I was walking along in the shallow water, ducking under bushes, when Marie let me know that this snake was in the bush ahead of me.  Harmless snake, but I wouldn't want to have it hanging around my neck.

Mike and I walk at Riverside Park in Ottawa County regularly, here are a few shots from Riverside.

At the end of July, Marie and I explored some places in Allegan Forest.  Including "Happy Boots Corner",  Mark Cassino's Homestead pond, and more.  Here are a few things we saw.

                                            Lizard's Tail

              See the purple?  That's an orchid!  Purple Fringed Orchid.

 We found one very scarlet Cardinal Flower blooming in these wet woods!  Just the one, here in this shady area.  Along the creek we found Monkey Flower and liverwort.  Very nice.

 Down the road and around a few corners to Homestead.  I learned of this place from Mark Cassino (http://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/). 

                                                 Hairy Pinweed (Lechea mucronata) Rock Rose Family

Well, Marie not only got a life plant here, Hairy Pinweed, but I found Virginia Meadow Beauty!!  I had only seen this plant one other time at Ross Coastal Plain Marsh in Van Buren County.  It was near the pond, hidden in tall grass.

 That will wrap up July 2014 now onto August!

 1. Ottawa County Happy Trails Camp  with Vivienne (previous post)
2. Muskegon County with Mike
3. Newaygo County with Marie
4. Ottawa County with Marie
5. Allegan County, Farview, and Herrick Library with Marie
6. Ottawa County, Riverside Park, several visits with Mike
7. Allegan County with Marie