Wildersmith on the Gunflint - June 5

Wildersmith on the Gunflint     by     Fred Smith
June 5, 2020    
 
           
As days fly by so quickly, it is not surprising the planet is already a week into month six. While life along the Gunflint Trail sails by too, it’s less complex in un-organized territory.                                            
I
n the last days of May, conditions in the atmosphere were fairly pleasant with moderate daytime warmth and cool comfy nights. In fact during a couple nights, it was down-right chilly. I had to cover my tomato plants, and one of those evenings required a revival of the wood burning stove.                                                                                                                                                         

The territory was even surprised with a fine rain on one overnight. Most of the upper Trail measured about a much needed inch, with the rain gauge here clocking in at nine tenths. But all the soaking power is past now and we are back to dusty roads and crunchy underbrush.                                                                 

With the passing of Memorial Day and glorious rain, the Northland can put a stamp of approval on summer, even though the calendar claim is two weeks away. Leaf out is now achieved as the maple trees in upper Gunflint reaches have finished the process.                                                         

I’m now energized watching the growth of next generation branches on trees of the coniferous forest. Those long hidden buds have emerged into fuzzy candles, soon to be tender arms of evergreen splendor, reaching to the heavens.                                                                                                      

Meanwhile, the next blooms in line are smiling sunwards. Forget-me –nots, have forgotten us not, with columbine, lady slippers and wild strawberry blossoms leading into the summertime parade of color and sweetness.                                                                                                                                  

Speaking of strawberry blossoms, the timing of their arrival couldn’t have been more appropriate. The Ojibwe, “strawberry moon” is cast for the lead role in the cosmos this weekend. The lunar experience will be at its’ fullness tonight after partial cameos the past few days.                                                                                                                                                                                            

Elsewhere in the wild blue yonder, the latest lift-off from Cape Canaveral was a splendid exercise in jet propulsion. But I find such drive is trifling to the lightning speed of hummers around the Wildersmith nectar station in the past few days. I think it’s of interest the Hummingbird dexterity in changing directions at top speed would be beyond the likes of Spacex and NASA engineering. And these mini flyers can dock in space at the juice bottle with far less complexity. Nevertheless, both bird and rocket are marvels of creation.                                                                                                                                                                   

A little more on the “wild” side of things in our neighborhood, bear evidence is revealed along the Mile O Pine. While a close neighbor reports of a calling card left in his yard, the Smith’s have not been bothered to date, at least where we can tell.                                                                   

However, we did have a cute little “teddy” run across in front of the vehicle a few days ago. I’m guessing mamma heard us coming and rushed off into the bush as the little one just couldn’t make the stubby legs go fast enough to keep up. It was so cuddly. It’s too bad they have to grow up to be so growly.                                                                                                                                                                                
I’m told the missing loons at Chik-Wauk have been heard nearby, but not seen at their nesting platform. On other things that fly, I came across an informative article in the June/July edition of National Wildlife magazine. Entitled, “Bird Brainy” , author Jennifer Holland, talks of crows, sharing that these savvy black beauties thrive among us, both despite  us and because of us. After reading, I would suggest we humans reassess using the term “bird brain” so loosely, a murder of crows is pretty cagy. Catch this informative scribing on line or at your local library.                                                                                                                                                               

Speaking of Chik-Wauk, virtual programming will be ramping up content on social media in the coming week. To preview, I’m told by producers that Mondays, will be live streamed with naturalists Eddie, Josh and Micaela talking about Chik-Wauk goings-on, Wednesdays are going to be wildlife days, Thursdays will be throwback Thursdays, and Saturdays will starry Saturdays. Look for some cool things on Chik-Wauk SM platforms. They’d appreciate your likes.                                           

By the way, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center opened to the public ten years ago July 4^th. What a way to celebrate your tenth birthday, temporarily closed because of sickness.                                                                                                                                                                                    
On a closing note, thanks to the volunteers from the Gunflint Lake Property Owners Association and the Seagull-Saganaga Property Owners for cleaning up litter along the upper Trail. Together, they teamed-up to pick-up over 13 miles of human environmental disregard.                                                                                                                                                                                   

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day is extraordinary, and some are even better!