WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY

I am positive if I searched this blog for the words “my favorite nature nook” or “Council Point Park” the amount of hits would be overwhelming. This small venue, which runs along the Ecorse Creek and is smack-dab in the middle of a residential area, has been my daily happy place, weather permitting, since 2013. The Park is small enough to immerse myself in nature without a long drive and, through the years, I am sure my steps have taken me along every square inch of the perimeter path … and then some. I know what trees erupt into blossom first each Spring and those that are first to be cloaked in radiant jewel-like colors each Autumn. The same wildflowers have graced the walking path year after year and I mark Spring’s arrival, not by the calendar date, but by the return of the Red-winged Blackbirds trilling in the marshy area along the Creek near “The Point”.

Likewise when the mulberries, apples and black walnuts arrive, I don’t even need to show up as the Park critters indulge in Mother Nature’s treats instead, not rushing over for treats. Yes, I admit I enjoy being a modern-day version of Snow White with squirrels and birds greeting my arrival and yes, I “get” that they gather around me, not because of my personality per se, but the fact that I’m toting treats like sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts and peanuts in the shell, but it sure is nice to be the center of attention at any rate. In the Winter, I hand out whole walnuts or Nutter Butters to perk up their sagging spirits during the long bouts of brutal cold, snow and ice that linger long into Spring. Longtime followers of this blog know how I fret when icy weather keeps me from walking along the Park’s perimeter path in the dead of Winter; of course you know my angst is not the ambiance or walking miles I miss, but worry for the critters that do forage for food, but also depend upon my frequent visits.

Today’s post is a tale of a paradise lost, not from the wiles of Mother Nature, but due to mankind and something called “progress” both which have left this bleeding heart seeing red.

In my recent post about tree hugging and the “Run for the Trees 5K” I showed you the orange surveyor’s ribbons and marks where the Ecorse Creek was scheduled to be widened 15 feet across to allow for enhanced flow and an improved habitat along the shoreline. I was aghast once I saw how many trees would be gone, knowing full well that squirrels and birds make their homes in these trees. The project would begin during nesting season. What would be the outcome of heavy machinery versus critters’ nests, offspring still in those nests, plus the Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks that nest along the shoreline each April to May?

This $11 million dollar county project was to begin April 8th. The original behemoth amphibious vehicle that was parked in the corner of the parking lot was joined by three smaller earth-moving machines with wide treads and, as each munching machine was added to the project’s arsenal, I had a sinking feeling that Council Point Park, 30 years the natural gem of our small City, was doomed, as were the critters who had made their home in these trees for many years. Our City’s Mayor responded to my e-mail about the unnecessary destruction of the trees/nests along the Ecorse Creek Shoreline writing: “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.”

Suddenly, the change was both imminent and inevitable.

Each day I’d arrive at the Park wondering if this was the day the project would commence, but it remained status quo day after day until this sign was placed near the Park pavilion on May 6th …

… and on May 7th the three smaller earth-moving machines were driven to a staging area where they could easily enter the Creek. One of the orange machines even took a short test drive back to the parking lot while I was there, but there was no further action that day.

When I finished my walk May 7th I knew the Park as I had known it all these years was now living on borrowed time.

That evening severe weather hit parts of this state when four tornadoes did substantial damage, especially to Portage, Michigan. I was grateful to remain unscathed.

Paradise found.

The next morning, May 8th, dawned bright and beautiful in the aftermath of Mother Nature’s fury. I arrived at the Park, camera in hand as I walked around, doling out the usual fare as the Park’s “wildlife” scampered or flew over.

I shook my head that the crop of dandelions, once a vibrant yellow, had all gone to seed and the grass cutters were way overdue as you see in this photo. Note the abundance of trees to the left of the path and picnic table for comparison later in this post.

The Flowering Dogwood was gorgeous – you can see the backdrop of trees at the Creek shoreline.

The peanut-eating goose with the horizontal feather issue waddled over to eat the peanuts, managing to scarf down a few before I wagged a finger at it and, with a stern “no” for once it obeyed me and disappeared into the water.

Three families of Canada Geese, with goslings at different ages, lounged and/or grazed along the perimeter path.

I finally got to see the family with a dozen goslings a fellow walker had told me about. Mama gave me a haughty look as I apparently intruded into their morning graze time …

… so, along with Papa’s help, the pair quickly herded their goslings and paraded past me to the water’s edge and sped away.

I am glad my last amble was peaceful before the destruction began.

Paradise lost.

The following day we had rain and I didn’t walk and it was then the ravaging began. Later that day in our City’s Residents Forum on Facebook, a walker stopped by that afternoon and posted photos of the “new” shoreline. I felt sick seeing those photos and knew I had to see it for myself but first I would steel myself for this “new” look.

The destruction was even worse when I viewed it in person. I stood at the same spot where I took the photos of each of the four seasons at Council Point Park to create the header image collage and took this photo.

Remember the tree-lined pathway along the Creek? Well, all those trees were gone except way back near the Point, a half-mile away and those trees were felled a few days later.

To me, this sorry shoreline image best shows the drastic change after the destruction of all the beautiful trees. Some trees were removed as you see in the foreground; most remain piled up on the shoreline to this day.

In this slideshow, you will see the skinned trees, their bare wood stripped of bark. In speaking with some of the workers I have learned that the original plan to dredge the Creek has been scrapped and now, instead of widening the Creek by 15 feet, each shoreline, including “across the Creek” will have 12 feet removed.

Sure, there are grandiose plans after completion of the project; the Friends of the Detroit River will plant native plants along the shoreline – great, lovely, but the beautiful trees are all gone, as is the shade for us walkers, but … forget about the walkers – think about my furry and feathered friends.

I’m heartsick over the rampage and …

… what it has done to them. Just imagine the squirrels that lost their nests … and for some, their offspring. There were many nursing squirrels prior to the start of this devastation. After I saw this one, looking lost, not hunkered down eating peanuts. I wondered if she lost her kits.

Squirrels here in Michigan have two litters, one in mid-March to April and one in late August to September. The kits are born with closed eyes and totally dependent upon their mom and are not weaned and ready to leave the nest for about six weeks. On my first visit I saw squirrels prowling through the debris, sitting on stumps of fallen trees, some trees just bare wood. Were they looking for their nests and their offspring?

I understand from another walker that the amphibious bulldozer rolled through the Creek unearthing turtles and throwing them here, there and everywhere. I am glad I didn’t witness that and wish he hadn’t shared that story to me who enjoyed the occasional glimpse of turtles sunbathing on a log. A couple were spared as you saw in the slideshow. This is one of them.

And, before this ordeal began there was a pair of Wood Ducks at the Creek. I thought they were passing through but last week I saw a female Wood Duck with ducklings in tow. They’ll likely get out of here once the ducklings are strong enough to paddle a long distance.

I no longer take a camera to the Park and won’t be doing so for a long time.

The last few weeks have been a sad realization that this habitat will never be the same. The ambiance is gone, the squirrels are skittish and scared, even of me who has spent years interacting with them. The noise of the machinery kept them away from the path for the first week, finally venturing out for peanuts and seeds when the workers moved to the other walking loop past the Pavilion area. Never have I had to coax squirrels and birds to come and get seeds and peanuts – they scampered or flew over willingly. Unbelievably the squirrels that live in nests NOT near the Creek are timid – even Parker. I think the noise and sudden destruction terrifies them.

One by one I hope they will come around, even the birds, but my fear is they will venture out into the neighborhood, a place where most have never been, having lived their entire lives in the confines of the Park. I’ve already seen a couple of black squirrel’s bodies near the Park.

If you’ve read this post to the very end, thank you. You know how passionate I am about the Park and my interactions with its wildlife. I will try to be patient and hope that slowly but surely a sense of normalcy will prevail, remaining mindful of this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

Destruction in any form horrifies me, whether a natural setting, or as a result of war and conflict and, as I close out this very long post, I am taking a moment to ask you to remember the reason for this holiday weekend.

P.S. – Terri does not have a Photo Challenge this week due to the Memorial Day holiday.