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Category: Summer

  • Impromptu Clearing Downed Tree from Loop Trail

    Collage of cleaning downed oak tree

    On Thursday, July 18, 2024, we discovered that the main loop trail in the woods had been blocked by the fallen crown of an oak tree. Later that evening, we discussed the tree at our monthly Friends of Scarlett Mitchell Woods meeting. We decided to tackle the problem the next morning at 10:00 am. Thanks…

  • Common Bees of Michigan

    Bee collecting pollen

    “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” a quote sometimes attributed to Albert Einstein. Needless to say, bees are an important pollinator. See a PDF of 16 common bees…

  • Syrphid fly, by Kelly Rourke

    Sphaerophoria philanthus male on a yellow flower

    This is not a bee, but a fly. Read this article to learn how to differentiate between a bee and a fly and other important information about pollinator Syrphid fly (Sphaerophoria philanthus) by Kelly Rourke from U. S. Forest Service

  • Blossoms and Pollinators

    Blossoms and Pollinators

    Some of these images are taken in the Scarlett Rain Garden and other images from gardens in the area. Pollination and Pollinators article –   Penn State – Constance Schmoltze. Syrphid Flies, aka Hover Flies or Flower flies by US Forest Service. Chart of Common Bees of Michigan

  • St John’s Wort

    St John's Wort by the pond

    St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is actually an invasive species. Some countries consider St. John’s Wort a noxious weed and if eaten in large quantities by livestock is poisonous. This photograph was taken on July 1st, 2023 on the south side of the pond. St. John’s Wort has been used as homeopathic or folk medicine…

  • Canadian Geese

    Canadian Goose and 3 goslings

    Canadian Goose and at least 3 goslings on May 9th, 2023 at the edge of the pond. Wikiphia

  • Cow parsnip (avoid it)

    Dangerous Cow Parsnip

    Cow parsnip’s (Heracleum maximum) sap contains a phototoxin that reacts with ultraviolet light to cause skin irritation ranging from a mild rash to severe blistering. This photo was taken at the entrance near the Colonial Square big court. At least 5 plants can be seen to the right of the entrance. Department of Environmental Conservation

  • Honeysuckle

    Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae family)

    Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae family) is not native to the Michigan woodland forest. This is one of the main invasive species in Scarlett Mitchell Woods. Honeysuckle will crowd out native plants. Honeysuckle is one of the first plant to have green leaves in the spring and is one of the last plants to have leaves in the…

  • Dryad’s Saddle

    Dryad's Saddle fungus attached to a downed tree

    Dryad’s Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) was seen on the Spring Unfolding 2023 event on Saturday May 13. This fungus is attached to a downed tree around the south side of the pond. Other shelves of Dryad’s Saddle were on the log. Wikipedia for Dryad’s Saddle Missouri Department of Conservation

  • Loop Trail Walk in the Summer

    Loop walk scene - Entrance

    Contains fifteen photos of the loop trail. These photos were taken on September 2, 2022.