One of the many windthrows of the Timberland Swamp Nature Sanctuary
All photos by Jonathan Schechter
January 2012

The Timberland Swamp Nature Sanctuary is a backwoods wilderness in Oakland County's
Springfield Township. The sanctuary  is operated by the Michigan Nature Association and is
the surviving remnant of a massive swampland.
Today's  blog is a photo supplement for the Oakland Outdoors trail story column in the 
 January 29th edition of The Oakland Press.
 www.theoaklandpress.com

Never wise to hike here on a windy day!

                                   A raccoon ambled away from a stream as I trudged along.
                                                          

                                                                    A tree with many arms!
                                                                         

                                                                    One of many den trees.

                                                                        Twisted trees!

                                                    And at the base of many trees: Snow fleas!
                                                    These tiny creatures are offically called Springtails and are not fleas. They are
                                tiny insects with the uncanny ability to jump with a spring-like appendage that unfolds
                       and launches them great distances.    They feed on decaying organic matter on warm winter days.
                 
                                                                               

                        And in late January her swamplands, streams and reflecting puddles are still not frozen.