When the invitation to participate in the 2022 Fish & Loaves Happy Soles 5K Run/Walk/Bike event arrived in my e-mail inbox on January 27th, I registered that very night. It was nice to think warm thoughts and plan ahead to June 5th on that nasty Winter evening with 25 mph wind gusts, single-digit wind chills and snow forecast for the next day – ugh.
The e-mail from Ellen Pfafflin, the Happy Soles 5K Coordinator, asked entrants to submit taglines for the event’s tee-shirt and the winner would gain free entry to the 2023 event. I e-mailed back my tagline, admitting it was a wee bit corny. My submission is the title of today’s post. “Move Against Hunger” was the tagline on our official 2022 swag.
The beneficiary of our collective efforts is a food pantry in Taylor, Michigan about two miles down the road from Heritage Park, the venue for the 5K event. In 2021, Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry distributed over 1.7 million pounds of food to 21,634 neighbors in need. In this COVID era, I wasn’t keen on attending the 5K event in person and happily you could opt-in virtually, so I was happy to do so.
This was the 5th Fish & Loaves 5K event I’ve done, three of them virtually due to the pandemic. You can read about them here, here, here and here if you’d like.
I follow Heritage Park and the Botanical Gardens on Facebook, so I know what events are taking place at this venue throughout the year. There were two events scheduled the first weekend of June: Saturday, June 4th was an all-day Relay for Life event and Sunday, June 5th was the Fish & Loaves 5K event. So that was a conundrum if I wanted to avoid a crowd.
Due to the erratic nature of our weather these days, I decided to go the weekend before the event. The Sunday of Memorial Day was picture perfect, so I did two, count ‘em two, trips around Heritage Park’s historical area, then headed to the Botanical Gardens, which in Spring was still a work in progress, then I wandered around through the Gardens’ new rustic trail. So, yes I did the requisite amount of miles and then some. (I began the day with two laps at Council Point Park.) Maybe next year I’ll be back in person.
You’ll recognize my favorite picture-taking spots and I’ll identify them for the newcomers. My quest for ducklings yielded no Mallard munchkins and to be honest, I saw zero Mallards at Coan Lake. I suspect the Mamas were sitting on nests and the Papas were close by. Even the geese were few and far between.
So tie up those walking shoes and walk along with me.
Fishing is fun, even if it’s just catch and release.
Prepping for a wedding later that morning.
A pristine lamp post – no birdies building homes.
This was NOT the bird’s nest in the lamp post head I saw before.
Nor was this one. I thought that birdie was smart. He was a copycat!
Here is OUR Mama bird’s lamp pole/nest/nursery.
The brood has already flown the coop, er … lamp post head.
There’s always lots to see as you near the covered bridge. Coan Lake is usually teeming with waterfowl – not today, just some turtles sunning themselves, who freaked out and plopped into the water when I approached. Later, my second trip around, they had resurfaced when they thought the coast was clear and I had left for good. There was one surprise visitor as you’ll see below.
First season for the pollinator garden at Heritage Park.
Lookin’ good at the pollinator garden.
The covered bridge at Heritage Park.
Another view of the covered bridge at Heritage Park.
One entrance to the covered bridge; one of two fountains.
“Is she gone? It’s that pest who takes pics of us sunbathing!“
Sunbathing is something turtles dreamed about all Winter.
King of the Hill … (or at least this rock).
Abandoned swallow’s nest in the rafters of the covered bridge.
Once over the covered bridge, there were a few goslings near their parents. They were too young to be the goslings that I wrote about before, first with the eggs in the nest, then toddling after their parents. I focused on this one gosling as it eyeballed me and I had to smile at the little head tilt.
“Are you the lady who took pictures of my cousins when they were still eggs?”
“I like how you worried about them when they were MIA!”
“Take my pic!! This is my coy yet demure look – what do you think?”
“Take another picture of me please – this is my serious look.”
The ducks delight in the spray from the two fountains – the Mallards were MIA though.
A Double Crested Cormorant was visiting Coan Lake.
My late mother would say “close your mouth, you’re catching flies.”
Double Crested Cormorants are odd-looking birds, from the hooked beak to the big feet.
This Cormorant finally jumped into the water, diving repeatedly.
The Water-Powered Sawmill.
The Little Red Schoolhouse with its off-kilter tree.
Another set of parents with goslings in tow traverse Coan Lake in a neat queue. The flag was at half-staff in remembrance of the Uvalde tragedy.
After the second trip around the historical village, I headed to the Botanical Gardens …
The main entrance to the Gardens.
I love this garden art – the Conservatory area was still a bit bare.
The perennial gardens were thriving like these white and pink Bleeding Hearts.
… and I took a little detour to explore this small rustic area behind the Botanical Gardens.
It wasn’t a really dense wooded area – it cooled me off as it was high noon by then.
This would make a great place to rest my weary feet …
… looks like you could bring a friend or two for a sit-down.
Postscript: Ellen, an avid walker herself, advised that there were 12 bikers and 128 runners/walkers that participated on-site or virtually. I was happy to participate in such a worthwhile endeavor. I gave you the facts for 2021, but in general the Fish & Loaves food pantry serves more than 1.6 million pounds of food per year to some 3,000 households in seven communities in Wayne County, where 17% of all residents and 26% of children live in poverty. That is higher than the state’s average of 13% for both populations — all residents and children, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
Time to fête the fathers in our life for their special day.
My Mother’s Day post was all about Mama Goose – first, her nest brimming with eggs and then her five sweet goslings. How could I top that?
And more importantly, could I find a few critter pics (besides geese or squirrels) to use for Father’s Day? Voila! While on a recent outing to Heritage Park for a virtual 5K and on an intense search for Mallard munchkins, I spotted a few turtles sunning themselves on some rocks. Fortunately they didn’t slide off the rock and plop into Coan Lake like they usually do, so I happily clicked away with the camera. Driving home, the ideas were percolating about how these turtles would become my Father’s Day post. I put my thinking cap on to come up with some fun captions.
Happy Father’s Day! There’s a special message at the very end of this post.
This is Dad. Dad was content to bask in the sun on his special day.But then the kids showed up. Dad thought “maybe if I close my eyes, they’ll leave me alone.”
The eldest cried out “Hi Pop, it’s your day so I brought a treat.” Dad said “Son, I hope you didn’t bring turtle soup like last year!”
Oops – it looks like Dad pushed one of the kids into the water.
This kid decides to schmooze a little, putting his head on Dad’s shoulder/shell.
When his sibling similarly clamors for Dad’s attention, the firstborn tries to kick him off the rock.
Yep, with one swift kick, he cast aside his brother – yay, now he’s got Dad’s ear.
“We saw what you did there – we’re back! Did someone say they brought turtle pie? Um – please define turtle pie as I ain’t eatin’ no kin!”
A grumpy Dad channeled Clint Eastwood and told his kids to get off his rock.
“Okay Dad – next time we’ll just visit Mom, but wait … Mom looks grumpy too!”
If one were to Google the word “gosling” they would discover a slew of images and the correct pronunciation and origin of that word – wow, a whopping 43,600,000 results in 0.47 seconds, plus Canadian actor Ryan Gosling’s smiling face!
I’ll save you the trouble of those few mouse clicks, or typing the word “gosling” into a search engine, as this writer will define a gosling as “a puff of feathered sweetness that takes away the harshness of today’s world.”
The backstory ….
It was Mother’s Day weekend, on Saturday, May 7th to be exact, when I rounded the bend near the twisted tree at Council Point Park and came upon three families of geese. The parents were parading their offspring as they made their official Park debut. I was happy to see them, but wondered “where had they been hiding since they hatched?” The goslings gobbled up lush grass in their tiny beaks and paid no attention to me, but the parents’ radar sure went up.
After oohing and aahing a little, I quickly hooked my goodie bag in the crook of my elbow; I couldn’t get the camera out of its pouch quickly enough to capture these cutie pies for you to similarly delight in.
Canada Geese goslings typically hatch in early May in all our local parks. Elizabeth Park has hundreds of Canada Geese, so it’s a sure bet you can find some if you’re in need of a gosling fix.
Here at Council Point Park, where I’ve been walking since 2013, despite climate change rearing its ugly head and slamming our formerly four seasons into unrecognizable categories, some of Mother Nature’s happenings remain status quo, just as I’ve witnessed each year this past decade. It is more than just the budding trees, or the eventual foliage hues come Fall. There is the return of the Red-winged Blackbird in March, the awakening of turtles from deep slumber beneath the Creek bed, the arrival of goslings in early May and the departure of all the geese and their offspring in late June. The latter event happens once the adult geese lose their flight feathers and cannot evade ground predators, so it is necessary for each goose to take to the water and shelter in groups until their new flight feathers return. I’ve already seen large feathers along the path. After the geese depart, there will be clean and poop-less paths and no wing-flapping and hissing histrionics – I’ll still miss them.
I’ve never seen a goose nest at this venue, though I scour the shorelines each Spring looking for them. They must be well hidden because one day the other walkers and I show up to see fuzzy, lemon-yellow darlings scurrying around. We walkers are like the paparazzi when the goslings arrive.
Week #1 – The nursery set.
These glimpses of goslings on Mother’s Day weekend were the sweetest of all the photos taken of them this past month. It was difficult to winnow down those shots. At first I just thought I’d just sprinkle a few gosling photos in my “Spring Vibes at Council Point Park” post, but, when I was without a car, then severe weather forced me to stick close to home, I was able to document the goslings’ growth on a regular basis over a month’s time. Although this is a small park, I don’t see the families every day and sometimes bad weather cancels out my morning walk.
It was early morning, with no other walkers around and the goslings were emitting tiny tweets and peeps between mouthfuls of grass – it was the epitome of a peaceful morning for me.
Here are some shots – can you tell the different ages, likely only a few days apart? I’ll identify them for you.
Family #1
Family #2
Family #3
Mom looms large as she watches her babies.
It’s off for a swim (they didn’t wait an hour after eating though).
Dad brings up the rear so no one strays from the queue.
One gosling has special privileges as the others lag behind.
Week #2 – Kindergarteners.
Though I often saw the geese families on weekdays, I waited one entire week later to document the goslings’ growth. On Saturday, May 14th, it was a day at the beach for the families. In comparing offspring between the three families, I could tell how much those youngsters had grown. Their downy yellow plumage was sleeker and tinged with gray blotches. They were not toddling after their parents, as much, plus strutting around seeking the lushest grass and picking out some of the plentiful dandelions to dine on. I’m glad I arrived early that morning because just as I left the trail, the crew of grass cutters were starting up their mowers. The next day the grass was short, dandelions sheared from the landscape and the three families were nowhere to be found.
It’s an easy life – eat, swim, sleep and follow Mom and Dad around.
One family returns from the Creek …
… time for a snack, then a nap.
More than one family at the ol’ swimming hole.
One gosling is attentive to Mom; the others are checking me out.
“That camera lady is still here. Let’s stick out our tongues at her!”
These are older goslings – can you tell?
Week #3 – Pre-teens.
By Week #3, this time on a Sunday, a mere eight days later, I captured images of gray-colored goslings, with canoe-shaped bodies, stubby wings, massive feet and a whole lotta hissing coming from those black beaks. Although they still clustered with their parents and siblings, occasionally a brave soul would sprint from the others to snag a wildflower, or for a drink of water at the Creek’s edge, independent of the crowd.
Dad was fiercely guarding his goslings. I was hissed at, but I WAS social distancing.
“Listen up everyone – here’s how we’re gonna bust outta here!”
Week #4 – Teenagers.
With the impending Memorial Day holiday (and finally able to schedule some bigger parks in my weekend agenda), I set out mid-week to document the goslings. They grew so much these past few weeks, from yellow fuzzballs to gray, almost-prehistoric looking birds with massive feet. They are eating and pooping machines. Unbelievably, adult geese eat up to four pounds (almost two kilograms) of grass a day – the goslings do their fair share of eating as well.
My favorite photo from this day were these goslings hissing. I don’t think their anger was directed at me, as I stood a respectable distance away. What a couple of rebels!
“Do you dare tread down OUR path lady?”
Just in case you wonder what “goose stepping” is.
Wingin’ it. Nope, no flying for you yet little one.
Standing to eat is just so yesterday!
Pouting? Sulking? Check out the big feet!
Week #5 – Looking like grown-ups!
I capped off the goslings’ growth chart around Week #5 when they became all gray and a little blah looking. Their markings grow more defined daily, with darker beaks, whiter cheeks and the tail feathers are now resembling their final plumage.
At about 4 1/2 weeks, tail feathers are lookin’ good!
A few factoids about our feathered friends. The growth of these goslings is pretty amazing. They are incubated by Mom for about 30 days. They hatch and are immediately able to find their own food source and take to the water, where they will form a neat queue behind either of their parents. In four weeks, the goslings will have grown to one-third of their full size and at eight weeks, their plumage is indistinguishable to that of their parents, becoming “mini-me” versions. At a glance you cannot tell them apart. Then the best part: after just ten weeks from a cute fluffball, they will take flight as a full-grown Canada goose. Upon fledging, their new moniker becomes “young goose” as they leave those gosling days behind them, however, they don’t reach full maturity for another two years.
Thanks for hanging in here through the chatter and all the photos, (some, which I’m sure look alike to everyone but me). Your reward is this lovely quote:
“Our task must be to free ourselves … by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” – Albert Einstein
Spring took forever to get going. It was as if Winter begrudged Spring’s arrival – talk about pushback! We had fits and starts, cold and hot, rainy, windy – overall a crummy Spring. I loathe Winter, but a gentle launch into Springtime would have been preferable.
At times, Spring weather was so cold, I did not swap my hat for my bare head, nor shuck my jacket, until late April, for a two-day heat wave, then back to warm clothing again. Such is the ever-changing weather in the Mitten State and beyond as we deal with climate change.
We’ve all heard the phrase “Summertime and the living is easy” and, while it is a little premature, calendar-wise, to call it “Summer” here in Southeast Michigan, now that we’re in June, we continue to deal with the roller coaster ride of erratic weather. Memorial Day was scorching hot and humid, then a cold front with 60 mph winds rolled through and suddenly it was jacket weather.
Mother Nature sure is conflicted sometimes, but aren’t we all?
And, although I said I would NOT complain about the sultry weather, that hot and humid spell had me whining a little anyway. Sure, it’s not only uncomfortable, but brings volatile weather like the recent EF3 tornado with 150 mph winds in Gaylord, Michigan, a small town 250 miles from me. We’re already hearing predictions of three months of hot and sticky conditions which will cause rolling blackouts all Summer.
This writer wishes to return to Summertime like when I was a young’un …. simpler times and simpler weather.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Then May arrived and finally we had an entire week without rain – Mother’s Day weekend looked to be picture-perfect weather. I was ecstatic to get out to enjoy some of the larger shoreline parks, maybe even navigate the Cherry Island Trail at Lake Erie Metropark without sinking into the oozing mud on the rustic portion of that trail.
But, that was not to be. My car was still in the shop for the long-awaited A/C fix for May 7th and 8th and the following equally beautiful weekend as well.
After two long weeks, when I finally had the car again, severe weather, the dregs of the aforementioned Gaylord tornado, left dark brooding clouds, sudden dramatic downpours, whooshing winds and warnings by the weather folks to be mindful of the sky and severe weather conditions all weekend. So I stuck close to home once again. I finally got to multiple large parks over the long holiday weekend and the camera was clicking as I racked up 19 miles walked in three days.
During that long stretch with no wheels, I found myself returning to my roots, er … routes in the ‘hood, those streets I regularly traveled on foot early in my walking regimen before I discovered Council Point Park in 2013 and once I discovered this little nature nook it has become my go-spot ever since.
When Council Point Park closed the month of May 2020 due to rising COVID cases in our City, I was forced to return to the ‘hood, but truth be told, I visited the Park three times weekly to leave peanuts for my furry and feathered friends. During this time, the only vehicle entrance was barricaded and bright-yellow caution tape was strung from trees to poles. However, it was and is, easy to gain access to the Park simply by stepping onto the grounds. I walked along River Drive across from the Park and saw a lone bicyclist on the perimeter path a couple of times, so I figured that yes, I should similarly sneak into the Park to do a short walk and deposit treats for my pals. One time I encountered a pair of firemen removing the caution tape at the pavilion area just as I arrived. “Great!” I exclaimed and without missing a beat I asked “are we allowed to walk here again?” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a few squirrels had been alerted to my arrival and were approaching the pavilion. “No” he replied, “we’re removing the caution tape as it is flying all over and we’re worried it will blow into the Creek and harm the waterfowl.”“Oh” I said, then politely told them I’d been making a mad dash three times a week to feed the critters and opened my bag to show them and pointed to Parker, et al who were poised politely, ready to grab a peanut. Well I admit I took a chance divulging why I showed up today and admitting to past practice. I explained that the circle of squirrels and birds that were lurking around us would be disappointed if didn’t leave some treats, so sweetly I asked “will it bother you if I make my usual drop?” One fireman smiled and the other put his hands over his eyes and said “I see nothing!”
There’s still a few issues at the Park, though not COVID related.
Ticks and avian flu … these two words have infiltrated my walking regimen.
I am a bleeding heart. I’m also a person who will no longer have pets as the grief over losing them is just too much to bear. I’ve thus “adopted” my Park pals and have become attached to those little critters. So, as I step onto the trail, I say a silent prayer I will finish those laps without seeing a hawk swoop down to snatch one of my furry friends. When I arrive, I scan the trees and trail for signs of Parker, who is sure to scramble down for a meet and greet after seeing me, the Peanut Lady, the bag of peanuts. I don’t always see him, but I feel better when he be-bops over as precocious as ever. So I tread carefully along the path these days, coming to a standstill and then I may look up, down and around before dumping out any treats to ensure no hawks are lurking about.
During the month of May, with geese and goslings galore, I find myself constantly doing a “poop check” of the ridges in the soles of my heavy walking shoes. But, I have to do a sock and pants check too – this is before I come into the house to ensure no ticks are hanging onto my clothing as we have a tick infestation. Sheesh!
There’s always a ruckus at the three spots at the Park where I make my “drops” of peanuts and seeds to my furry and feathered friends. Those critters are smart (and hungry) because as soon as they see me walking to the pavilion area (my first stop), they come out of the woodwork. The Blue Jays used to at least wait until I got to the next stop at “The Safe Haven Tree” a Weeping Mulberry tree, so named by me as its long and leafy branches tickle the ground and form a fortress of sorts where the squirrels and birds can dine without fear of a hawk swooping down.
The third spot had been a tree stump and fallen log surrounded by brush, perfect to leave treats on that side of the Park, but now it is overgrown with weeds and I’m uneasy about traipsing through there, even in Winter. So I leave a heap of peanuts and sunflower seeds on the path near that spot, sometimes stopping to take a few photos and remind them to “watch your backs and be careful of the hawks!” I know they don’t know what I’m telling them, but it eases my mind that I at least sounded the warning alarm. I hope that scattering sunflower seeds will not encourage the avian flu. I think it’s okay as the critters gather and quickly disperse. This is a typical morning at this third spot:
Here we have “The Encroacher” who promptly waddled over and helped itself to some peanuts.
Rex, the Red-bellied Woodpecker scopes out goodies.
After snagging a sunflower seed, Rex sees the coast is clear, so he swipes a peanut to go.
Likewise, the female Northern Cardinal peruses peanuts versus sunflower seeds.
A black oiler sunflower seed was the treat of choice … this time.
She returned several times to munch seeds, while the male perched in a nearby tree.
This Eastern Gray Squirrel was a real cutie pie – “smiling” away while noshing a nut.
The same Eastern Gray Squirrel was a recent Mama, though it’s difficult to tell in this shot.
A posing squirrel beckons me for a second look and a shot.
More posing for peanuts as scraggly trees begin to leaf out.
I took a ton of Spring pictures around Council Point Park – some more of my favorites are below.
A Redbud tree adds a slash of color in Early Spring.
Another Redbud tree and a touch of pink on the walker as well.
Jacob, the Park’s resident fisherman, with a lady friend (who told me she caught a fish too!)
I scared a Cottontail munching on tender grass.
The subtle greening at the Park … a preview of Spring at its finest.
White “Spring Beauties” wildflowers.
Violets and “Spring Beauties” wildflowers.
A downy feather; adult geese are losing their flight feathers and will soon depart.
It was wall-to-wall dandelions one weekend before the grass cutters mowed ’em down.
A mish-mash of seasons: last year’s brittle pine cone and a dandelion.
An early sighting of a Cabbage White butterfly on a dandelion.
Parker pretending to dig up last year’s peanuts but glancing to see if I have a treat for him.
The dandelions, spent now, are replaced by clover that the bunnies love.
On Mother’s Day weekend, three geese families, debuted their goslings and they were different ages. How could I tell? You’d be surprised how quickly goslings grow in just a few days’ time. You’ll see for yourself – next Monday’s post will feature those sweet babies.
It’s Memorial Day, often dubbed “the Gateway to Summer” … but please don’t forget the real reason we commemorate, NOT celebrate, this day. I had photos and a narrative all ready to go about my local treks this Spring.
Unfortunately, I missed two, perfect-weather Spring weekends of walking in larger parks, because my car was in the shop for two weeks. So, instead of long and fun-filled excursions, my feet found their way down those streets and paths close to my home and my heart as I explored the ‘hood and my favorite nature nook, Council Point Park.
I assure you the camera was clicking away on those treks.
But, as I sat down to compile my Memorial Day post, I decided to table those thoughts and photos for another time and focus on someone else, instead of myself. On Wednesday, I’ll spotlight those colorful Spring-y shots because guess what – they need no words.
Meet Travis Snyder.
A few years ago I wrote about the cross-country trek of Michigan-born musician Mike Posner, 31, who jumped in the water at Asbury Park at the Jersey Shore on April 15, 2019 before beginning what he called “The Walk Across America” which would end 3,000 miles and seven months later with a splash in the Pacific Ocean. I followed Mike’s saga on Instagram where he wrote about the people he met and often walked alongside him and had videos of his impromptu mini-concerts along the way. Despite the rigors of a self-imposed 20 miles of daily walking, Mike was well on the way to getting that goal accomplished in six months when he was “snake bit” after a baby rattler bit through his hiking boot, halting his long-distance hike while he was air-lifted to a nearby hospital, then recuperated at home before taking to the road again. I admired Mike’s stamina, but his goal, like mine, was a personal goal only.
Today, I want to tell you about Travis Snyder, a 38-year-old Marine veteran who lives in Holland, Michigan. This is the fourth year that Travis Snyder has trekked around Lake Michigan to raise money and awareness about veteran suicide, an effort he began after suffering from anxiety and depression after a tour in Afghanistan and then losing one of his military friends.
Travis did some research, discovered that there are 20 veteran suicides a day nationwide. He quit his job, started a GoFundMe page and paired with the Mission 22 organization.
Travis began his 2022 journey and eight-week mission on May 1st and tomorrow, May 31st, he plans to finish up the Michigan leg of his journey and head to Green Bay, Wisconsin …
… then he will be trekking the Lake Michigan shorelines in Illinois and Indiana. He expects to log 900 plus miles altogether. Whew! *
* OK, a little note about me as you may ask … as of today, I am nearing the 500-mile mark, but that has taken me nearly five months to reach that milestone.
Have a safe Memorial Day.
[Photos from Travis Snyder’s Instagram, GoFundMe sites and the Michigan News Network]
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 