This week we're working in northern hardwoods on the upper peninsula of Michigan. Oh, ya, up nort' der, eh? The ground is mostly flat and it rains only about half the time, so it is pretty good duty. On the other hand, it can be hard to see anything in the semi-gloom that counts as daylight. But, the worst problem for me is leaf-off species ID. When I arrived, I figured that I would just look on the ground under the tree for a little help, but what I found was that the entire forest floor is a mat of maple. Now, granted, red and sugar maple trees are very common, if not dominant, in these forests, but maple leaves must also fall late and persist long because they've covered everything. I've developed some litter-fall archeological techniques this week—pealing back the top layer to see what leaf skeletons are underneath. Of course, the picture above has nothing to do with any of this. It is of a species that is common everywhere: Quaking aspen.
Ya da to UP eh!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll need to stop in Ironwood to tour the Stormy Kromer factory and pick one for each member of the family. They make fine Christmas presents.
http://www.stormykromer.com/
While you are in Ironwood, try Mike's restaurant for breakfast, bring your appetite. It's on the main drag, west end of town. For some tasty walleye, Maplewood restaurant is the place. Bring your per diem check for that though.
The only ironwood I've seen so far is in the woods (Ostrya virginiana), but I have been to Henry's Inn for the fish fry. Or, as they say in the nort' woods, the smorg.
DeleteHave you been up to Ontonagon and Camp Rubens yet?
ReplyDeleteDon't know where Henry's Inn is. Friday night is the night for fish frys, I almost miss 'em.
We're bunking in Ontonagon for this tour. Camp Rubens is just a stone's throw. Henry's is twenty minutes south of here in Rockland. I might drive up to Houghton tomorrow: I want to make sure their forestry school is accredited.
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