What a wonderful turnout and a Fantastic group of people that showed up for the Stony Creek Hike. I love it when we get so many knowledgeable people in so many outdoor areas. It gets so interesting when there are different people who can identify and talk about some of the many things we come across on the Hikes. Even down to having Martha Wolfe on hand to tell us about the Osprey Hacking tower and some of what went on there for the last 5 years.
Lots of new people on this Hike, but as I am no longer amazed by how everyone just fits in, gets along and interacts with one another. It is my personal favorite thing on the Hikes. As much as I love Nature, I love it when I see people from all walks of life, and many strangers to one another, talking, laughing and enjoying a common interest and respect in the outdoors. It's the best of mankind!
Tried to ID some of what we say on the trails. Still looking up some of the plants. because we were such a large group on Saturday, we certainly were not set up right for animal viewing. But...I hope all of you will go back to this private area we had all to ourselves, and take in more of this vast and almost untouched section of the Park. If anyone wants a Map of the area we Hiked, please drop me an email and I will send you a PDF file of a map I have for this section. You smart people that GPSed the trails while we where there, can make corrections to my Map of the area.
Thanks for a Great time on this Hike, gang!


A single "Ladys Slipper" found near the Hacking Tower


This smal patch of "Columbine" flowers where also near the Hacking tower


IDed out on the trail was the beautiful "Black Locust" tree and blooms


Typical with Mushrooms, I am not sure of what this is. I do believe it is in the "Russala" family,
but not sure which one. As we talked out on the trail...should'nt eat a Mushroom unless you are
most definatley sure on just what it is. Good MI. Mushroom Hunters advice.


Have'nt been able to ID this yet. Any Ideas?

It was a lovely trail with gently rolling hills.

Was glad that we took the "longer" trail, not so sure about Rob's or Jo's moms, though. Are they still mad?

Thanks again for a great day!!!! Really enjoyed it.....

Hey Rob...

How did you like the feather Ozzy and I found bush wacking at Stony?

That was one of the biggest Turkey flight feathers I have seen. There must be one heck of a Rooster hanging out in that area of the Park. Two ladies that had missed the Hike because they arrived very late, but had spoken to you, arrived back at the Parking area, well after everyone was gone. Bill and I had done a second short hike and where standing in the Parking area talking, when the two hikers came back from their Hike. They told us they had talked to you and tried to catch up to the group, but where just to far behind. One of them was overwhelmed by the Feather you had left. I was standing there playing with it and talking to Bill about it. She collects feathers and was truly amazed at the size of this Feather. I just had to pass the feather over to her. I knew it was going to a good home.
I hope that was OK with you. I felt compelled to pass this along to someone who I knew would be influenced by this unique feather. It was a beauty Dennis, Thanks!
Oh Ya......Stony has changed their rules about pets in the Nature Study area. I did not know this until the day of the Hike. I guess even with a 6' leash, they feel there was becoming to many pets in the Nature area.
If you have'nt seen the NewsLetter yet, take a look and see a very Cool picture that one of the Hikers, Kim, took of you and Sean looking at a snake. His wide eyes and joy are very apparent. A great shot! MaMa made the NewsLetter too.

For those of you who "missed" the extended loop, we saw some beautiful wildflower meadows. Here are some pictures from there, as well as a few others from earlier in the hike.

Hiking Merrily Along...


A swallow in a bluebird house


Wildflower meadow






A friendly dragonfly


What is THAT?


The odd looking leaf "growths" are called "leaf galls". (I looked it up after the hike.) They are caused by microscopic mites and according to what I read, although they are unsightly, they do not harm the tree or plant. I was talking to my mom about them and I mentioned to her that they were caused by microscopic mites. We had a bad phone connection and she said, "microscopic MICE?". What an image - it still makes me laugh!

Looks like you guys chose the better return trail, Cindy. I had forgotten that the Park burned that Meadow last year to entice new growth, and it looks like it worked well. I also took some pictures of those leaf mice. Thanks for IDing them. I was wondering what in the world they were. I see them in many different places and Parks.Looks like you remembered what Dan Farmer, the Naruralist at Heron Ponds told us about those Bluebird Houses. That Swallows like to also nest in them. I zoomed in on your photo of the nesting box and did see that the bird in the doorway was a Swallow and not a Bluebird. The next time we will take that outer loop and also do that last loop in the chain that we did'nt do. It too is rolling Meadows that the Park burned last year and is probably as beautiful as the ones you and the group traveled through. After my Mom got done yelling at me for splitting up the Group....she told me how much she enjoyed the company and that last Meadow loop. She was pretty tired though.
Thanks for the Picts.

We, too, have had tree swallows nesting in the bluebird box on our property in the past, and we currently have house wrens nesting in there. As far as wearing out your poor Mom, I think you owe her a dinner at Stony Creek Roadhouse!

My Mother reads this Bulletin Board, Martha....and she certainly does'nt need any egging on about the last Hike.
Although a Dinner at The Stony Creek Roadhouse is always a fine meal. I have taken her there many times. How did you know?
Ever since it was pointed out to me, that other birds nest in the Bluebird Boxes at many of the Parks, I have noticed that in actuality.....there are more other species of birds in those boxes, then the Bluebirds they were intended for. Maybe it's why I do not see many Bluebirds anymore. I am going to do a little research on this. I thought the whole purpose of the original Bluebird Boxes in Michigan, was the fact that the Bluebird population was declining many years ago, and this was a way to help that out. About 10 years ago, most of the Bluebird Boxes I seen were flourishing with Bluebirds. I wonder what changed that? I think this will be the next segment for the NewsLetter, on Birding in S.E.Michigan.
Anyone have any info on this?

Has anyone noticed that lots of the birdhouses going up the last few years have that extra slot subtly located in the back? Combination bird/bat houses!

OK, another tangent...

Last night on tv I saw that bird songs recorded now don't match the ones from decades ago. They are fairly consistently louder and higher pitched. The theory is that they've evolved to better carry over the greatly increased background noise caused by humans, as we've invaded so much of their habitat.