Sumac

 

As September merges with October,

Staghorn Sumac captures our attention.

Displaying a pleasing palette

of bold autumn colors.

Perfectly pinnacle leaves aligned.

Flaunting red, orange and yellow

on sharp-toothed leaflets

tapering to their tips.

Crowned with clusters

and clumps of fuzzy berries

in burgundy and scarlet;

our showy, native shrub.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 2, 3, & 4. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

Every October

Every October, 
sumac flames from the fencerow:
with leaves perfectly parallel,
with veins backlit by the sun,
with leaflets toothed and touched
by dynamic reds and oranges;
every tapered tip
pointing to its creator,
glowing in the grace
of a consuming fire.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

"...let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire."  ~ Heb. 12: 28-29

Photo Locations:  Cannon Township, Kent County, Michigan

May You Walk III

May you walk along summer gardens colorful with birds and blooms.

May you walk along shady riverbanks of slow current 
with fish feeding at the smooth surface.

May you walk through native prairies tall with coneflowers. 

May you walk along rural roads beside fields 
rich with topsoil growing soybeans and corn.

May you walk after rain in warm meadows
fresh with sweet clover.

May you walk along the edge of dense woods 
with Staghorn Sumac clustering yellow-green.

May you walk during dusk, when columns of cumulus 
are illuminated by the sun already set.



May you walk through the seasons of your life attentive and alert, 
with a joyful sense of gratitude.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy:

May You Walk - February 7, 2014

May You Walk II - January 12, 2015

Photo Locations:

1. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Rock River - Grand Detour, Illinois

3. St. Mary's Quarry/Prairie Restoration - Dixon, Illinois

4. Lee County, Illinois

5. & 6. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

7. Pickerel Lake Park - Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County, Michigan

Palette

The grassy fields are fading,
greens to browns, paling.

Goldenrods 
becoming brighter,
yellowing,
showy in August,
dominating September.

Long, sunny days remembered,
as hints of autumn appear.

Sumac collecting color,

from a palette like no other. 

©  2014  Richard Havenga

Click on photos to enlarge.

#1, #3, #4 Canada Goldenrod - Solidago canadensis

#2 Showy Goldenrod - Solidago speciosa

#5 Smooth Sumac - Rhus glabra

#6 Staghorn Sumac - Rhus typhina


Photo Locations:

1. Wabasis Lake Park, (Wabasis) Kent County, Michigan

2. Townsend Park, (Townsend) Kent County, Michigan

#3,  #4. Home Woods 

#5. Home Garden

#6. Parnell, Michigan

Succession

Succession
 



 

Goldenrod ruled for years.
A new seed became a shrub.
 

Mound of Staghorn Sumac,

spreads out from parent plant.
 

Now you've seen succession,

of old-field habitat.




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Click on photo to enlarge) 

 

 

Photo Location:  Hickory Corners,  (Hickory Corners)  Michigan