This post is part of a project in the works; "An Ogemaw County Year". The blog and eventually the book will encompass nature noticing, research and facts over the course of a year with a watercolor painting for each entry. Originals and prints will be available via the website as they are completed and prepped and the book will be available upon completion.
In the heart of a Michigan summer, July’s warmth embraced the forests with a golden hue. The days were long, the nights short, and the woods teemed with life. I found myself wandering down the back yard path into the edge of the forest. My footsteps were soft on the forest floor, carpeted with last autumn’s leaves and new undergrowth. The scent of pine and earth filled the air, mingling with the faint hum of insects and the occasional call of a songbird.
As I wandered deeper into the woods, I noticed movement ahead—a wild turkey, scratching at the ground and pecking curiously. Intrigued, I stopped, watching the bird. Its feathers were a glossy mix of browns and blacks, iridescent in the dappled sunlight. The turkey moved with purpose, and soon, I realized why. It had discovered a patch of wild blueberries, the tiny berries hidden among the green foliage, and it was feasting on the summer fruit.
Curiosity piqued, I approached the patch after the turkey had moved on, leaving behind a few scattered berries. Wild blueberries, or Vaccinium angustifolium, thrive in Michigan’s acidic, sandy soils, often found in pine and oak forests. They prefer sunny clearings and edges, where they receive enough light to flourish. The low shrubs were no more than a foot high, with slender, lance-shaped leaves. The berries themselves were small, about the size of a pea, their deep blue skin dusted with a fine white bloom.
Kneeling beside the patch, I picked a berry and popped it into my mouth. The burst of sweetness, with a hint of tartness, was a delightful surprise. Unlike their cultivated cousins, wild blueberries pack a more intense flavor. I gathered a handful, savoring each one, and marveled at my discovery.
Wild blueberries have a rich history in Michigan. They were a staple for Native American tribes, who used them not only as a food source but also for medicinal purposes. The berries were dried for winter use, mixed with meat and grains to make pemmican, or used to treat various ailments.
Identifying wild blueberries is a skill worth honing, especially given the presence of other berries in Michigan’s forests. They can be distinguished from the similar-looking black huckleberries (Gaylussacia baccata), which have a different taste. Huckleberries, though edible, are not as sweet as wild blueberries. However, MIchigan’s forests are also home to poisonous berries that one must be wary of. The berries of the nightshade family, such as the deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), are extremely toxic and should be avoided. These berries are usually shiny black or dark purple and grow on larger, more robust plants compared to the delicate blueberry shrubs. Before eating any berries in the wild, you must be sure you know what they are.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees, I sat back, content with my find. The wild blueberry patch was a hidden gem in my own backyard. I left the patch as I found it, taking care to tread lightly and preserve the delicate ecosystem.
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