… this time with my camera in hand.
You may recall this recent post, wherein I visited Council Point Park a few days after the massive amphibious vehicle munched through all the vegetation along the Ecorse Creek shoreline, felling every tree, many containing squirrels’ and birds’ nests, plus unearthing countless turtles, flinging them from the depths of the murky Ecorse Creek.
Before that devastation began on May 8th I wrote our City’s mayor to ask if the project, already one month late commencing, could not wait until after nesting season, but was told “yes, this may be hard on animals for a bit, but in the long run this project will be good for the wildlife, flow of the water and good for cities from Dearborn Heights to Lincoln Park.”
Well, alright then.
I had no choice but to accept the doom and gloom that ensued from that May 8th rampage.
Day after day of seeing tree debris all along the shoreline was so disheartening.
The trees that once graced the shoreline remain, albeit reduced to either stumps or trunks about five or six feet tall. Some of the stumps are even sporting new growth.
So essentially, that initial destruction could have occurred on the other side of the Park first, sparing the nesting critters’ habitats for the time being … but I digress.
Maybe with no haste to mow down everything in sight, both in the water and on land, this mangled park bench might have been spared?
The mangled park bench was located at “The Point” where the project ends as the Creek is wider there. The bench at least provided a good view, unlike this park bench located on the other side of the Park.
Unbelievably, just in the past ten days, the same mammoth amphibious vehicle has removed all that tree debris parallel to the walking path. I sure would like to think it was because of my June 4th e-mail suggesting the piles of dry debris be removed before the Fourth of July when neighborhood folks gather in the Park’s parking lot to shoot off large fireworks, same which can be seen and heard at my house one mile away.
After all, just one errant firecracker with all the dry debris … well you can imagine the scenario for yourself. Let’s just say neither Smokey the Bear, nor Linda Schaub, would have been happy.
So yay, the debris is gone and Council Point Park did not go up in flames. Weeds and long grass have overtaken the shoreline landscape. But the debris has not been totally transported from the venue – some of it is now piled on the opposite side of the Ecorse Creek awaiting final disposition.
On May 12th, I declared I would not take my camera to my favorite nature nook for a very long time. Sure, the non-profit organization Friends of the Detroit River will put in native plants along the Ecorse Creek shoreline … great. But it will be a long time before this once beautiful park looks whole again.
Okay, I’ll step down from my soapbox now.
So what changed my mind about picture-taking at the Park?
A few ounces of feather and bones with an oversized yellow beak gave me a new perspective on the Park and propelled me to once again hook my camera case onto my fanny pack.
In an upcoming post I will be sharing my Mama Robin and offspring experience that helped me shake off the bitterness that had permeated my soul over my beloved Council Point Park.
But today, this post will center on a walk taken a month after the initial destruction.
Once on the walking path, it was like old times with the camera … so what did I see?
I already knew this would be a peaceful Sunday morning meander, with zero construction work and no incessant humming by the various earth-moving machines as had become the norm. In the near-silence I imagined that if I closed my eyes I could pretend the destruction and debris were gone and the squirrels would race toward me, Blue Jays and Cardinals would hover nearby, then gravitate to the Safe Haven Tree to await a “drop” of sunflower seeds and peanuts, shelled and unshelled. Rex the Red-bellied Woodpecker would swoop down near my feet and Harry the Great Blue Heron would give that horrible screech since I interrupted his breakfast fishing expedition.
So expectations were high for some nice nature shots as I arrived at the entrance to the Park, the day after I discovered the Robin family. Before I could peer at the nest, I spotted this Cottontail bunny who immediately froze in place. “I thought I was alone” he or she seemed to say as I evidently had interrupted dining on clover. It didn’t move for the longest time, so I quietly shifted my bag of goodies to my left arm, so I could pull the camera out of its case.
I got the one shot above before the bunny bolted over to the fence and began quivering, so I cooed at it, but it remained parked by the fence seemingly terrified of me. Concerned my furry pal might bolt into busy River Drive and be killed, I got this shot, then left so it could eat in peace.
I next headed toward the Pavilion area where a few Sparrows flew over and one black squirrel was dancing around my feet, careful not to alert anyone else I had arrived, so it did not have to share any goodies. I spread some peanuts and sunflower seeds, then headed to the other two places I leave treats.
“Can you see me now?”
I generated some interest as a few squirrels popped up on their haunches to ensure I didn’t miss them – “yes I can see you” I told them.
Soon a few more of those boop-on-the-snoot-cute squirrels were scurrying down tree trunks …
… and/or peeking around a tree trunk like the featured image up top.
You’d think I hadn’t visited here in ages as my furry friends eagerly chomped on peanuts, a dramatically pared-down crowd from the 30-40 plus that greeted me daily in the past. There were a lot of gray squirrels as their nests were not near the project. I figure some got their “get out of jail card” validated and were finally allowed to leave the nest. They were running everywhere, a little apprehensive about the human that was lurking nearby. I think they took their cue to approach me from their parents.
Parker ambled over, asking for double peanuts, some for him, some for his shadow.
I miss the black squirrels, which are few now as there were many nests along the shoreline and those trees are gone. I think some have relocated to the neighborhood and a fellow walker who feeds the squirrels told me he saw a man bring a Havahart capture/release cage to the Park and as he lifted the trap door, two black squirrels scurried out.
There would be more critters as I happily clicked away.
There was one Canada goose. The rest were already gone, along with their goslings. Their departure was imminent once I saw all the large flight feathers littering the grass like you see below.
The Mallards are long gone, since the onset of the project, with the exception of the Mama Wood Duck and her ducklings which made a cameo appearance, never to be seen again.
I tendered a few more peanuts as I walked along the perimeter path, then, shielding my eyes from the sun while glancing at the cringe-worthy landscape, I saw Harry who, having been denied his usual fishing spot on the now debris-covered cement ledge, was standing on the opposite shoreline.
I zoomed in for a close-up.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed one of the “spared turtles” languishing on a log enjoying the sun’s early morning rays.
The morning was young and I had no plans to go to any other parks as the winds were clipping along at 15 mph and gusting to 25 mph … at a big shoreline park it would be uncomfortably windy. Besides, the fishflies had returned to Wyandotte, along with the annual Swiggin’ Pig Music Fest and Carnival and it was free fishing weekend at all Michigan parks, so I would stay put.
With a little more spring in my step I went along the perimeter path two more times, camera in hand.
If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!
I saw this Mama squirrel sitting on a branch near ground level, but she scrambled up into the tree immediately as I approached.
To lure her to ground level I laid peanuts on the path in the dappled sunshine …
… but no amount of coaxing could get her back to the path to eat them. There she sat, rather defiantly, perched on the branch, refusing to come down.
In this photo I thought she wore a rather pained “I am weary with the world” look – raising her kits was clearly taking its toll on her … and her body.
I glanced around, hopeful for a sign of her little ones to no avail. I think she considered me a pain with this look.
I thought Mama might have a change of heart here, but she steadfastly remained up in the tree.
And then something colorful and poignant.
While waiting for Mama Squirrel to get an attitude adjustment, I noticed a flag flapping vigorously at a nearby memorial tree.
In the past I have written about several of the memorial trees in this Park and about this tree, in particular. At the base of it at one time were some painted rocks, a children’s plaque about “Grandpa” and a tiny gnome.
This is Grandpa “Bill” Lee’s memorial stone.
There has been a metal American Flag near the memorial stone for some time.
But on this walk I noticed some new items, so I went over to investigate.
I couldn’t miss the red-white-and-blue wind chimes that were tinkling with each gust of wind. Were they new as well?
The grandparents must have liked birds – I see a theme in the wind chimes. The wind chimes here were also swaying in the breeze.
Then I saw the bright-red flower and stepped to the other side of the tree to take a photo.
I saw this sweet message nearby.
That’s when I saw the second memorial stone under the tree. This was a new stone, even if “Betty” had passed away several years ago.
Grandparents loved and missed deeply.
After three miles walked at the Park, I headed for home, another mile to go.
I am joining Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills Color Challenge for July: Red, white and blue.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Seeing the lovely tributes from the family to the “grandparents” was very inspiring I’m sure, Linda, and definitely boosted your mood after the big changes at Council Point. Citizens like you should take action and continue to communicate with local governments about the issues and big changes. Glad to read they got rid of the debris before the fireworks. Facility management 101 (as I used to teach)–reduce risk and potential liability. I bet you weren’t the only person to voice your concerns!
Fabulous shots of the various wildlife still around. Nature will always have her way.
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Terri, I have written about the memorial tree for Bill before as it really touched me. From the stones, plaque and gnome I gathered they were young grandchildren. The family always puts a Christmas wreath on this tree too. I was surprised to notice the grandmother’s memorial stone. There are many memorial trees in the Park, but only four are decorated.
I was worried about that whole area of the Park going up in flames. That was just a small area of the dried debris and all it would take was one stray firecracker. I wonder if others wrote too. One walker was very upset when he saw a turtle laying eggs near the debris and knew that the nest would be destroyed when they eventually picked up the debris, long before the turtles would hatch (40-60 days). We have a lot of turtles laying eggs – I’ve posted about that before too. He was so incensed and took photos of the turtle and contacted the Michigan DNR.
I was happy to photograph the sweet critters again – it was like it always had been. Thankfully the Robin put me in a better frame of mind. The bunny was a plus as I hardly see them at the Park, more so in the neighborhood.
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It appears your friends survived the onslaught. What’s the deal with those memorials? Do they pay the city to be allowed to put a stone in?
You must be like a angel to your furry pals!
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Yes, I felt more confident of that Wayne … initially I felt they would abandon their nests and just relocate to neighborhoods … not just the squirrels leaving, but also the birds and heron too. I do see a lot more gray squirrels. The babies/kits are in the nest 10-12 weeks, so the gray squirrels and Fox squirrels’ nests and where they hang out were not on that side of the Park where the trees were destroyed. On the “Creek side” were lots of black squirrel nests – I’d see the nests and the squirrels hanging out in that area all the time. I see a few black squirrels at the Pavilion – none on that side. I fear they might leave the Park rather than rebuilt a nest on the other side and won’t know how to 1) fend for themselves; and 2) they have never dealt with traffic before.
The City no longer sells memorial trees. After I discovered Council Point Park in 2013, I decided to get a tree for my mom. I contacted the City and was told they had been $75.00 but they were no longer selling the trees. They don’t do anything to the trees – it’s up to you if you want to fertilize it, prune it or put down mulch. With the tree you got one memorial stone, so I’m guessing they bought their own memorial stone and put it there unless the City still sells them and puts them there.
I felt like an angel this morning as there were so many of them. After the project began, the squirrels were all so timid and did not come over to me like they always did before … they waited for me to leave, then came over to eat what I put down. I hated that as they were so friendly before … they are coming around slowly, but you see the debris there … that bothers me a lot.
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you are becoming “intimate” with this area. That’s the highest level a person can go. You are watching and so paying attention. One must put in “10,000” hours to achieve this level of awareness.
The locals are probably stressed from not just the forest cutting but also from the heat.
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Yes, thank you. I can’t imagine how many miles walked and hours I have spent at this Park since 2013. And you know it is more than just a place to get my steps in. The heat was bad – 100F real feel temps in mid-June for one week. We are getting some more heat this week and the end of Hurricane Beryl. So more stress for them. Until they cleared the dried debris, the squirrels could not get to the cement ledge to bend over to drink. The Creek is on the other side but they did not have to enlarge it because it is already wide, but I never see them drinking there, so I guess they had to adapt. Tough with the fireworks going off too.
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How nice it must have felt to see your animal buddies running around. I have never seen a nursing squirrel. How many babies do they usually have Linda?
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Yes, I’m glad I took the camera back and it was like old times Diane. I think there are a lot of new baby squirrels and that’s why there were so many lately – it’s two months tomorrow since they began this project. I’ve seen nursing squirrels at the Park Diane, but not like this one. She reminded me of my Cardinal last year after she fledged – no chest feathers from going in and out of the barberry bush to feed her babies, plus it was a cold Spring and she was in the nest trying to keep all the eggs warm. I just looked – they can have anywhere from two to eight babies.
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Wow they can have a lot of babies!
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Yes, they do Diane – I hope that all those babies fill up the Park again eventually so that it is like before. I think some are missing due to the construction and maybe moved to the neighborhood, but right now they could be eating soft pine cones, mulberries, apples and black walnuts, so passing up peanuts for now.
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The timing of this project was obviously created by a bureaucrat, not someone who truly understands – or maybe even cares about – nature. It must be so sad to witness the destruction… I can only hope that some good will come out of it.
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Yes, they didn’t care at all Janis. Bulldoze everything without a thought to a nature venue. That was the pretties part of the Park, from “The Point” where the Creek widens to flow to the Detroit River and then parallel to the Creek. I hope it eventually looks better, hopefully in my lifetime.
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Happy to see some of your furry and feathered friends again. That poor momma does look worn out. I wonder how many she is caring for.
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Me too Ruth. It felt like old times after the initial devastation … it will be two months tomorrow since this project began. That poor momma – I felt sorry for her. I just looked it up, as someone asked me – squirrels can have from two to nine little ones. She’ll be glad when they are weaned which takes up to 12 weeks to care for them in the nest.
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I was thinking as I read along that our furry and feathered friends have long survived humans coming in and messing things up. Perhaps in the long haul the changes they’re making will be of benefit to the critters, perhaps not. But humans are, for the most part, not going to put the needs of the wild creature, at least those not endangered, ahead of their own “I want it now” desires. So, we do our best to work around the humans. Do you think, based on what you know of the human plan, you could gently encourage your wild friends to move to a safer area? They may follow those treasured peanuts. Or perhaps that’s too crazy an idea.
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Yes, humankind makes me both sad and disgusted sometimes Zazzy. Why are we always in such a haste to plow ahead without thinking of the consequences? I do make drops at the same three places which I think will encourage them to stay, as they have a guaranteed food source along with what they glean now in growing season within the Park, but I do worry about the black squirrels on the project side. I know they nested there as they ran down from those trees over the years. I had photos of them dotting those trees.
I wish they would have stayed in the Park because they are not used to being outside on a busy street – probably spent their entire life inside that one-mile loop. The other one-mile loop on the opposite side of the Pavilion has also lost all its trees on the Creek side, but there were just a handful of squirrels there … the “action” for getting peanuts from me and a few other walkers is on the side I show all the time in my photos. The other side has playground equipment, a roller rink and soccer fields. I wonder if there are enough trees around the Park to accommodate more dreys? I don’t think that is a crazy idea at all … I like the idea they would go to the Safe Haven Tree, where I put the most goodies as the geese don’t see the seeds and peanuts and eat them. It is kind of secluded, but I don’t know if there are enough trees to accommodate all the nests.
At least these days I am not seeing squirrels with a shell-shocked look on their faces – nests (and maybe offspring) gone in a heartbeat.
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I’m glad that they seem to be adapting and aren’t looking so stressed out.
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Me too … my fingers are crossed the new normal will be more forgiving. Thank goodness they still have time to adapt before Winter arrives.
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A lovely walk among the animals thanks Linda. It would have been good to see what the plans are for the waterway, vegetation and peoples interaction
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Glad you liked it Brian. I’m hoping they don’t destroy too much more of the shoreline when they remove the remaining trees/stumps. Even the weeds look better than the dried-up debris. I keep checking the project website as they are supposed to be updating plans and the estimate of project completion, but they have not updated since May 8th, the first day of the project.
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What a nice shots of the various wildlife still around. Nature will always have her way. I much all 🐿️ photos. This project will be good for the wildlife, flow of the water and good for cities from Dearborn Heights to Lincoln Park.”!
Tack Care,Linda 🙂
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Glad you liked this post Raj!
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I’m glad there were still hood things to see at your favorite park.
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Thanks Dawn – me too because it was always more than just a place to get my steps in. The geese and ducks are usually gone in July and August, down at the Detroit River huddled in groups on the water’s edge awaiting their flight feathers, but the other “regulars” were back for the most part which was nice.
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I’m glad you saw Parker. He’s still about, figuring out how to avoid the devastation.
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I am glad I saw him too Kate. He is getting older, so when I don’t see angling for peanuts, I worry about him. The Fox squirrels’ nests and their hangout is on the other side of the Park, so I think they were unscathed. I still see gray squirrels standing on top of the tall stumps which makes me think it was where their nest (and maybe offspring) were.
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Sad.
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Yes.
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Your close-ups are spectacular, Linda! I love how you capture the animals’ facial expressions. 💖 Too bad their habitat is being disturbed so rudely, but I’m glad they removed the debris before fireworks were set off. The grandparents’ memorials are so touching. What a lovely idea!
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Thank you Debbie! Part of the charm of this small park is that it is small enough to know every nook and cranny and know all the regular critters there. I probably used to take too many pictures of the squirrels because I thought they were all so cute. Other walkers have joked over the years that I was like Snow White because when I’d arrive all the squirrels and birds would rush over, so that enables me to get closeups on this compact digital camera. I am so upset about what they have done here and I was relieved they picked up that debris before the 4th, all which had sat there for six weeks. I hope the squirrels and birds whose habitat was on the side of the project destruction do not leave the Park. To a person without pets, they are a good substitute. 🙂 We have a lot of memorial trees at this Park, but only four are decorated on a regular basis. Some of the memorial trees were lost from this project. I understand they will be replaced by the City. I like that this tree is always decorated by the grandchildren – very sweet.
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I’m so glad that you are back to taking pictures at this park. You have such a wonderful way of story telling about the variety of critters and things that you see here. It’s obviously a very special place for you.
““I am weary with the world” look – raising her kits was clearly taking its toll on her … and her body.” I admit that I have that same look on my face!
I have never seen a squirrel with her kits. These photos are absolutely amazing! ❤️
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I am glad I returned here too TD. I kept walking, but with blinders on so to speak, just going there, feeding the squirrels and birds, but no photos. I do like to take photos of the critters there, so I enjoyed doing that again and am now taking my camera when I go. It was a Mama Robin and her offspring that made me take photos of them, then return the next day for more photos, then just walking with the camera in hand. The poor Mama Squirrel looked very tired and I’ve never seen a Mama Squirrel with that much fur parted or missing because of nursing her kits. Nature is amazing!
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Glad to see new photos from Council Point Park. I love that park bench view! 🙂 I guess Mama squirrel is my favorite photo here. Would love to see the little ones. Last year, my husband turned over a large log section that was under a tree in our yard and discovered a nest of tiny squirrels. He carefully placed it back and we were able to watch the little ones grow and scamper about once they got big enough.
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I’m glad to be taking the camera again Rebecca. I just was so disgusted with everything, that it took seeing the Robin’s nest and Mama Robin feeding her offspring to un-harden my heart a bit. I’ve never seen a Mama squirrel with fur so worn away from nursing her kits … I found it amazing to see. I’m glad you liked her photos the best. I would love to see baby squirrels like you got an opportunity to watch grow. The baby squirrel that fell out of the tree at the Park a few years ago was already almost fully grown.
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Is is disheartening to see trees get torn down for sure, they take so long to grow to start with. But, hopefully they will rebuild it back better than it was with new vegetation for all the wildlife to life and grow with. Wonderful photos Linda, 🙂
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Yes, it is – I know at other venues where they have natural habitats with wildflowers and grasses that it may bring pollinators which would be good, but I think it will take a while to get to that point that it camouflages the mess left on the shoreline. Hopefully I am wrong. Glad you liked the photos Sandra – those squirrels sure are cute sometimes, especially when they stand up to ensure I see them. 🙂
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Miss Linda………………………………….I’m going to have to get to Council Point Park and see what the new construction on Ecorse Creek looks like………………………thank you for e-mailing the city’s council about the damage to the little critters while widening the creek…………………I always enjoy your close up pictures of the critters and flowers…………………….
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Ann Marie – you won’t recognize Council Point Park now on the Wyandotte side of the Creek. I am glad you didn’t see it at its worst, how it looked for six weeks post-destruction. I hoped the critters would find new places to live and nest or at least they could have raised their young before this rampage if they started the area on the loop closest to Southfield first. I know squirrels can move their babies when there is destruction like a hurricane or tornado and the nest is lost or falls out of a tree, but I don’t know about birds if the young have not fledged yet. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos – the squirrels are so cute, especially when they beg on their haunches. 🙂
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The rabbit, the squirrel, the turtle, they make me happy to see. The mangled park bench is dystopian and slightly disturbing. I knew this was going to be a messy project from your description of it, but even from afar I find it sad. The poor critters who are being harmed…
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I like the animals at the Park too Ally – they are the little joys in my morning walk. So my happy place at least has the animals, maybe less of them, but the sheer destruction floors me. The park bench has remained there, in its mangled state, a sad reminder of how NOT to give any thought to destroying a nature habitat.
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I love the bunny shots!!! The squirrels are so cute with their little paws curled up against their chests. Poor Harry, I hope he adjusts to his new circumstances. The mother squirrel did look a little frazzled.
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Glad you liked my critter shots Barbara. I don’t get pics of bunnies too much anymore … we don’t have a lot of them at the Park due to the commotion there and they are sometimes too fast for me. The squirrels do make me smile when they stand up on haunches with paws curled up waiting for a “drop” … great expectations and always cute poses. Harry used to be a fixture every morning on the cement ledge … he’d be annoyed when I’d pause and look at him, even if I wasn’t taking photos and squawk, then bolt. He looked out of his element in that part of the Creek. I felt badly for the mother squirrels … I have never seen one with so much fur removed as a result of her nursing kits. She probably was looking forward to a little time away from those hungry babies and there I was taking pictures of her. 🙂
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