“Sedges have edges!” The phrase was on everyone’s tongue as Dr. Doug Valek led a walking tour to see examples of wetlands at the Hall’s Lake Natural Area. The 180-acre area contains an amazing variety of wetland habitats.
Doug began with a walk down the original strip of historic Old State Road that leads into the swamps on the southeast edge of the Kabana Preserve. Here several different sedges were found. Doug also talked about wetland-adapted shrubs and trees such as Michigan Holly, or Winterberry, and Black Ash.
The walk continued with discussions about Michigan’s two cattail species, vernal ponds, beaver activity, the good and bad, a visit to a bog. The changing fall colors and fair weather contributed to a very pleasant and informative visit to some of the many different wet habitats to be found right in our own back yards.
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- The group gathers for another 4th Thursday adventure
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- Doug explains how to tell sedges from rushes and grasses
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- One of the beautiful wet spots along the Lakeshore Trail
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- Doug knows how to make science entertaining
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- The slow shift from green to yellow in these trees promises a drawn out color season
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- Bracken Fern change from green to subtle shades of yellow and gold
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- Red Maple is among the first to don a fall coat of color
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- Filtered sunlight shines through the Kabana Preserve
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- Poison Sumac changes to a gorgeous orange-red. Look, but don’t touch!
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- A closeup look at Poison Sumac leaves
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- Some early-fallen leaves are already setting the forest floor afire
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- Part of the large group who came for the learning opportunity
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- Looking from Hall’s Lake into the Neely Preserve
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- Anne Messinger and Adonna Kennedy share a moment along the trail
