Michigan Forest Life - December 14, 2025

Greetings Friends,

Mother Nature is once again putting the winter into Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary (Photo 1, 2). My trip this week was brief but sweet. The West Branch of the Clam River was frozen across in some stretches and open water in others (Photo 3, 4). At this time of year, I wonder how wild animals will get along. How long will food remain

accessible? How long before the food that is easy to get has all been eaten? And then what? I see their tracks - deer, coyote, river otter,

a few squirrels that have left their nests, and rabbits (Photo 5). But I know there are other animals moving about too, whose tracks did not cross my path - Raccoons. Porcupines. Bobcats. 

A group of slow-moving turkeys looking mighty cold held a gathering in the middle of Kirby Road (Photo 6). I watched them and marveled at their complete disregard for my vehicle.  Finally, the main part of the group wandered into the ditch and down to the river, leaving only a few of their colleagues to continue to occupy the road. That is when I thought of taking the photo ... after standing still long enough to turn off the car's engine, and when much of the group already moved out of the picture. It was an interesting sight. Lovely.  How do turkeys find food when the snow is deep. 

Permit me to include another teaser for FOREST LEGEND: THE TALE OF OL' SPLIT TOE. Preview snippet 12 of 27 (Photo 7.) 

I wish you a lovely winter landscape, a warm coat and hat, thick gloves, and dry boots. 

Until next time, 

Dan

Excerpt from Chapter 16

AD 1911 – 

One day, Split Toe heard Grace comment as she walked to the windmill with a small child in tow.

“This windmill is just fine, my dear,” Grace smiled affectionately. Her face was putting on weight.

“I like it, Mummy. I can hear it while I sleep. I want to climb to the top.”

“What would you do up there at the top of the windmill?” Grace looked down with a simple smile.

“Oh, Mummy. It would be fun. You know it would be fun. I’d talk to the dog from up there.”

“Well, I don’t know, my dear. I think you’d best keep your feet on the ground for now, and don’t put any climbing ideas into that dog’s head. He is likely to hurt himself if he follows you up the windmill.”

Copyright @ 2025 by Daniel S. Ellens

Pre-order NOW on Amazon

Publication Date: March 31, 2026

Praise for FOREST LEGEND:

“Through the eyes of a mythical, time-traveling whitetail buck, this rich tale explores humanity’s relationship with nature. A really good read.”

- E. L. Stanesa, avid fly fisherman and conservationist.