Memorial Weekend Nature Get-a-way

Adventure 2008

By Rosemarie Attilio

A nest of Bald Eagles filled the spotting scope frame. The group ooohhhed and ahhhed as a parent bird flew in quite close with prey in its talons to feed the large babies. It was Memorial Weekend and the Detroit Audubon Society was back at its annual nature get-a-way weekend at Loon Lake Lutheran Retreat center. Over 50 people, some families with young children, were having their annual family get-together. Some new friends to our group scoured sand dunes, woods, ponds, lakes and rivers in the fun filled 3 and a half day event.

The weekend started off on Friday night with Board members, Rosemarie Attilio and Jim Bull, signing up folks for nature hikes, activities and showing a PowerPoint presentation of all the fantastic natural areas in the Hale/Tawas area that people could visit.

Our first hike, a perpetual favorite of the weekend, was led Saturday morning by birding expert, Karl Overman. Many bird species were seen, including warblers, orioles, whimbrel and more. Other people decided to take a guided tour of the historical Tawas lighthouse. Many were enthralled to view the park, the birds and beautiful scenery from the very top of the lighthouse.

After a picnic lunch, some people decided to head back to camp to enjoy kayaking or hiking around Loon Lake, and yes, it does have nesting loons, whose plaintive calls can be heard in the early misty morning hours or at dusk echoing over the water.

Rosemarie Attilio and Jim Bull led a group to the Lumberman’s Monument, where some tested their strength rolling logs with antique logging tools. Others tried their hand at the giant saws, cutting a souvenir piece of white pine and marking the log with the logging brand. There was a small museum which enlightened us on Michigan’s lumbering history. Lumberman’s Monument also sported a huge blowout embankment where logs once were rolled into the river. Many children attempted to run down this colossal sand dune without ending up head-over-heals and were rewarded by a cool plunge in the river after their efforts.

After Lumberman’s we headed to the nearby Iargo Springs natural area, which boasts over 300 stairs down into a series of wooden walkways that take you through a breathtaking view of natural springs, wildflowers, plants and birds. A Bald Eagle flew over the group as we walked the deck. Others of the group chose to stay up top on the viewing platform and take in the vista without having to suffer the return trip up the stairs.

Saturday evening, Rosemarie Attilio gave a presentation - Birds, Bugs and Books of the Amazon Rain Forest. Rosemarie discussed her recent trip to the Amazon jungle to deliver school supplies to children in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. The trip was co-sponsored by the Detroit Zoological Society, and CONAPAC, the Civil Association for Conservation of the Peruvian Amazon Environment. The purpose was both to bring school supplies to children in the remote areas of the jungle and to teach conservation and preservation of the Rainforest. There were many slides of sloths, monkeys, rainforest children, birds and more.

Sunday Morning, Jim Bull successfully led a group near Mio to see the rare Kirtland’s Warbler with the U.S. Forest service guides. This again is a popular event on our weekends. Many first timers come back enthralled at seeing one of the rarest warblers in the world right here in Michigan.

Rosemarie led another group on a hike around the camp itself, which has frog and salamander filled ponds and streams, the lake and woods. Some of the younger campers had close encounters with frogs and an exchange student that was visiting held her first snake. We studied the wildflowers and saw the resident Bald Eagle that is also a frequent site in the camp. We viewed the Homer Roberts Nature Building and even looked for the foundations of a house that disappeared long ago on camp property. There were breathtaking views of Indigo Buntings and even small fossils, morel mushrooms and Ruffed Grouse feathers were found.

Jim Bull led a trip to the Rifle River area to view the nesting Bald Eagles, and the flora and fauna of Pintail Pond. This nature area has rare pitcher plants and sundews which are very difficult to find in Michigan. Jim also gave a fantastic tour of all the plant life - varieties of ferns, wildflowers and trees. The lookout tower offered a beautiful view of the surrounding Rifle River where, in the past, Trumpeter Swans have been seen.

Ausable River

After another wonderful dinner, some of the folks read a poem or recited a favorite quote or discussed nature at the celebrate the earth ceremony. Michigan folk singer, Judy Insley, sang a beautiful rendition of her song, Mother Earth, off her new CD.

When the ceremony was over, the entire group gathered for a s'more-filled, bug juice induced campfire, sing-a-long led by Jim Bull and Judy Insley. It was very late when the last sleepy, chocolate filled face headed back to the cabins or lodges to face our last morning at the camp.

Monday began with a flag ceremony honoring our veterans and remembering past Detroit Audubon members who served in the military.

After our last hearty breakfast, we headed out for one last field trip back to the Rifle River for members that had not yet attended and found a rare blue spotted salamander with the full array of other natural splendors.

We said goodbye to our friends, old and new, and all promised to return next year to our favorite camp in Michigan. Mark your calendar next year for a grand Memorial Day adventure at Loon Lake. Don’t miss it.

View the pictures

Read about the 2007 Weekend Getaway