Our Trip to the Bog

After completing this field trip, you will be asked to create a report. Upon arriving at the bog, we all put on "stocking waders". This particular bog is unique in that it has a moat like body of water that can be waist deep in places. We will access the bog via this moat. . In Michigan, the water temperature can still be quite cold so we also had thermal socks on.. Once on the bog, we will be in ankle deep water.

We carefully picked our way down the hill in our wader covered bare feet... careful to not step on sharp sticks or stones. The stocking waders offer little protection from even the slightest puncture.

We stopped to look, and listen, to the woods around us. What did we hear? Tree frogs, spring peepers, and common toads as well as the wild geese and other birds that lived in the woods. He showed us a drawing he had made of the bog.

Notice the circles? The water at the center of the bog is in an indentation carved by the glaciers that came through Michigan 7000 years ago. The water is fed by springs, but there is no egress for the water. Thus the water is growing steadily more acid. The next circle is the matting of plants that forms a dense surface that can actually support more plant growth. The next is a moat of water. Beyond that is the forest with willow trees leaning over the water and slowly, slowing closing in on the water... turning it to more bog. You can see the willows leaning in the left picture as you compare them to the straight tree. The right picture shows more clearly how the stretch to grow over the water.

We look at some of the flora in the woods around the bog. Note the mosses are sporophytic this time of year.

This is what the bog looks like from the hill side level.

Here we climb down to the water edge,

pushing through the willows into the water of the moat

Here we reach the matted vegetation

Our guide, a well-schooled naturalist, is able to teach us the flora and fauna of the bog.

Sphagnum moss grows abundantly in the bog. It has been said that the Indians used it to diaper their babies as it can hold volumes of water

This is a poison red maple. If allergic, this tree can cause extreme swelling. Typically there should be tamarack trees on this bog horizon. I'm not certain why there were none in this bog.

We were able to see animal tracks in the delicate "matt" of the bog. Because this is a fragile community, we walked very carefully, often in single file so we would minimally disturb this fragile ecosystem.

The bog is a rich environment for the bog cranberry plant. The cranberry is an acid-loving plant. We did eat this cranberry!

See the pitcher plant? We will look at it closely.

Our guide picks one up for closer exploration.Upon cutting it open we discovered partial remains of a fly. Note this plant produces a slippery substance that once the fly or misquito touches it cannot escape .

Note the Pitcher plant is one of 3 carnivorous plants that grow abundantly in the bog environment.

Look at the turtle

Here we start back to the Van.

It is difficult to walk across the swaying mat of vegetation.

Coming to the edge of the moat, we carefully start back across the water. Again maintaining our single-file trip so to minimize our disturbance to the bog. Many bogs today build a boardwalk to protect the mat from human disturbance.

Holding hands helps us keep upright as we head for home.

There, I made it and am on the way up the other side.

This student's boots had a hole in them. Now he has to wring the water out of his socks before heading for the van, KCC, and the next class of the day.

Report Directions: Bog Field Trip

You are about to embark on a virtual field trip to the Delton Bog. Begin your field trip by leaving the college van, putting on your waders and making your way down on to the Matt of the bog. I have provided you with notes given by our field guide: Robert Mainone, a very well respected Naturalist. At the conclusion of this fieldtrip you are to write a report, minimum of 2 pages, and include the following topics in your report.

Define a Bog
What plants should you find in a bog and then list the plants you were able to see in this bog. Why are they suited for a bog environment?
Delton Bog is surrounded by a fresh water moat. Why is this unique to a bog.
Why is the bog a fragile environment?
Conclude with one or two paragraphs what you have learned about the bog environment
List at least 2 websites and quotes from them what you learned in reference to the questions above.

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