Addison Oaks County Park

October Adventures in Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Fungi growing on tree

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

October has been a golden month; a time for hiking, cider making, leaf peeping, and endless adventure within Oakland County and beyond. I will miss those days that were punctuated by earlier sunsets, later sunrises, and clear, star-studded night skies. Mother Nature teased us a few times with snowflakes, hail pellets, and strong wind gusts, but sunny days and temperatures that climbed into the seventies in this final week dominated the month before rains came near the end. That rain fueled a final emergence of fantastic forest fungi, including shelf fungus that grows on trees.  

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Ethics, Wildlife and the “Perfect Photo”

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A coyote stands at attention on dune filled with weeds and wildflowers

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

It happens about once a month. I receive a question about a wildlife photo that’s included in my Wilder Side of Oakland County blog, or that I have shared on Facebook or used in a presentation. “How close were you to get the photo?” is the most common question. I try to answer as honestly as I can, even when the answer is, “I’m not real sure, I was focused on watching its behavior and just kept clicking.” I smile when the other type of question comes my way, “I hope you did not scare it away!” I interpret that as coming from someone who was raised to not disturb wildlife: a person that practices ethical photography when it comes to wildlife – even if they don’t realize it.

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Secrets of Cranberry Lake Park

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Cranberry Lake Park

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

On sultry summer days the beautiful wooded swamps and protected wetlands of Cranberry Lake Park occasionally transform into short term havens for blood-thirsty mosquitoes and squadrons of dive-bombing deer flies. That is nature’s way all across the Wilder Side of Oakland County. I still remember a hot and humid late summer day when I meandered into that Oakland Township Park on a hunt for a few blackberries. I raced back to my vehicle a few minutes later with my arms flailing after becoming an involuntarily blood donor for what felt like millions of mosquitoes.

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Plan your Spring, Summer, and Fall Camping Adventures!

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

It’s time to plan your next camping adventure in Oakland County! With two wonderful campgrounds run by Oakland County Parks and Recreation, you won’t have to go far. Addison Oaks in Leonard and Groveland Oaks in Holly offer individual, family, or group camping sites. Both parks offer cabins, yurts, modern, and group sites as well. Your camping adventure awaits – call 248-858-1400 and make your reservation today!

  • Addison Oaks 2018 Camping Season: Friday, April 27th – Wednesday, October 24th
  • Groveland Oaks 2018 Camping Season: Friday, April 27th – Sunday, October 7th

Check out our video to see all of the fun that’s in store!

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