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Wilder Side banner with Jonathan Schechter

Nature's Way - In the Beginning  blog

Today’s The Wilder Side of Oakland County nature and trails blog is different in a significant way.

It takes you back to the beginning; when I was a barefoot toddler running around the meadow and woods surrounding our house in once rural Wilton, Connecticut.

The blog was inspired by a few old black and white photos I found stashed away in a box; and occasional questions from readers inquiring where my passion for nature started.

That’s me in the lead photo in a homemade blogHalloween costume standing next to my sister as we prepared for candy gathering. My science professor father who sadly died when I was just seven; and my nature aware RN mom encouraged my endless passion for bug collecting, frog catching, bird watching and woods wandering. They made me feel comfortable following a road less travelled. (a)

The speed on the road less travelled accelerated greatly when I was a student at Goddard College in Plainfield Vermont. I was saddened last year to discover Goddard closed its doors for the last time. But the memories of my full immersion into nature’s way at Goddard never faded. One of my favorite nature-related courses was Ecology of the Southeast; which included a month-long bus adventure from Vermont down to Florida.

blogThose adventuresome learning days never left and gave me a sense of appreciation of all things in nature and introduced to me this quote from the writings of Henry David Thoreau, “Live in each season as it passes, breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influence of the Earth.” (b)

I still take pleasure in simple things and often pause in my treks to admire what nature offers even if it will not be used in a blog post. There is nothing rare about purple coneflowers, but when I see them in our local county and Metroparks I usually pause to admire them and often spot insects crawling about their stems or see butterflies flitting about. That activity will increase during September since their blossoms provide an abundant source of nectar for honeybees and butterflies. (c)

A few days ago after meandering through a patch of trailside blogconeflowers I discovered an unattached common dog tick crawling on me. The tick was probably awaiting a host such as a deer to meander through the meadow, and instead it settled on me. I seem to be something of tick magnet and when on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s South Manitou Island I do daily tick checks.

Staghorn Sumac is common in Oakland County and is an easily recognizable plant to share with young children and perhaps stir an interest in flora and fauna with them. It bares absolutely no resemblance to poison sumac; a wetland plant with tiny whitish-yellow berries that droop downwards, unlike staghorn sumac berries that are fuzzy and grow in tightly packed upright clusters. (d)

blogDragonflies are very active now in the early days of September zipping over the edge of my meadow as they hunt mosquitoes on humid days. Others fall prey to birds. I believe this one is a Green Darner; but I am certainly not an entomologist. (e)

Last week I came across a tiny Spring Peeper hopping across my intentionally rarely mowed lawn. They are just one of the tiny creatures of nature I enjoy seeing and it’s even more enjoyable when I share the find with others.

If you’re looking for place that won’t involve much walking to explore what insects and birds are attracted to the flowers of September, I suggest a visit to blogGarden of Healing and Renewal. It’s located on the north side of the McLaren Clarkston campus at 5701 Bow Pointe Drive in Clarkston. It’s open from dawn to dusk every day of the week and is free to visit. It has a level looped walking path and wooden boardwalks that take you over a wetland area and a small creek. That visit may well spur your interest in the little things of nature and jump-start a lifetime of nature-embracing adventures. (f)

Oakland County Parks staffer Jonathan Schechter is an avid “nature-embracing” hiker who follows phenology - the study of natural cycles of nature’s way - to inspire his blogs.

Past The Wilder Side Blog Posts 

Oakland County Parks Blog Posts

Join Oakland County's Access for All: ADA Celebration on Aug. 20 adaptive recreation

Chances are you’ve heard about the Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as the ADA. Passed into law in 1990, it provides sweeping protections against discrimination in several key areas, including employment, public services, telecommunications, transportation and public and private spaces.

Before the ADA was enacted, people with disabilities faced daily challenges with actions that most of us take for granted, like being able to move about freely in a store, use public transportation or even talk to a friend on the phone. The ADA works to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to thrive without added struggles and frustration.

As an enthusiastic supporter of diversity and inclusion, Oakland County is pleased to mark this milestone by hosting the Access for All: ADA Celebration on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Oakland County Circuit Court courtyard. 

Read the Access for All: ADA Celebration blog post

 

 

Add two updated Oakland County parks to your summer rotation blog

Oakland County Parks has had a lot to celebrate recently. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission and staff have hosted ribbon cuttings at two parks, bringing upgraded and additional recreational amenities to residents.

Partnership agreements with Oak Park and Pontiac allow OCP to invest, operate and program the parks while the cities retain ownership. OCP invested $6.2 million in Oak Park Woods at David H. Shepherd Park and $3 million in Pontiac Oaks Park, formerly Hawthorne Park.

Read the Oak Park Woods and Pontiac Oaks blog post

 

 

Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Picnic blog

Whether you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon at the playground, spending time with friends and family at Addison Oaks or Groveland Oaks campgrounds or simply exploring the trails, a picnic is the perfect opportunity to connect with each other and refuel your body for more outdoor adventures. 

The key to a memorable picnic is in the planning. Review the tips below to create a stress-free, fun and delicious picnic experience this summer.

Read the Perfect Picnic blog post

How the Oakland County Parks Grounds Crews Keep Five Golf Courses Beautiful 

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One of the first things you notice about a golf course is the condition of the lush fairways, smooth greens and perfectly manicured landscapes. What you might not be thinking about is the hard work that the dedicated grounds crew puts in behind the scenes to make this exceptional setting possible. 

Oakland County Parks operates five golf courses, and the grounds crews are at the heart of all of them, working seven days a week to create a phenomenal experience for everyone. 

Read the Oakland County Parks Grounds Crew blog post

Meet Us on the Midway: The Oakland County Fair Returns July 10-19 

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Get ready for a celebration that’s been decades — even centuries — in the making, as the Oakland County Fair will return to Springfield Oaks County Park this month.

Presented by Oakland County Parks, the fair will run July 10-19 with a packed lineup of events for agricultural enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, families and everyone in between. 

Read the Oakland County Fair blog post

Fresh Air, Fun Adventures: Outdoor Activities for Beginners 

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Spending time outdoors is a great way to reduce stress, clear your mind and work on your physical fitness goals. Even a short while outside can have a positive impact on your day. 

Oakland County Parks offers numerous ways to help you stay active during all four seasons, including walking, jogging, cycling, archery, disc golf, fishing, playgrounds, pickleball, swimming, golf and kayaking. There’s something for everyone, and you don’t need advanced skills or expensive equipment to explore all the beginner-friendly options.

Read the Beginner Activities blog post

National Pollinator Month 

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June is National Pollinator Month! We often think only about the beneficial relationships of pollinators, which receive food while plants get their pollen transferred for reproduction.

Evolution is an unthinking natural process that doesn’t care about fairness, though, which has led many species to evolve cheats or tricks — some downright amazing! 

Read the Pollinator Month blog post

Summer without limits: Your guide to accessible recreation in Oakland County 

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When the summer sun starts to shine and temperatures heat up, everyone naturally wants to head outside for fun activities and special memories. Accessible parks and adaptive recreation programming make the Oakland County Parks (OCP) welcoming for all guests.

Read the Summer Adaptive Recreation blog post

 

Spring is salamander season! 

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If you’re hiking the parks this time of year on a rainy day, look for salamanders crossing the trails. Oakland County Parks boasts at least eight species of these amazing amphibians. They will range in size and color, including spotted. 

Read the Salamander blog post

 

Rooted in History, Growing for the Future: Celebrating 60 years of Oakland County Parks

For 60 years, Oakland County Parks (OCP) has been providing recreation experiences for residents.

group gathered with Oakie in the OC Commission room

Before we knew it, six decades passed and OCP’s 17 parks emerged as essential resources for health and community connection across all corners of the county. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, OCP will host several special events for the public to enjoy, including Oakie’s Birthday Bash from 5:30-8:30 p.m. July 24 at Independence Oaks County Park.

Read the 60th Anniversary Proclamation blog post.

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