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Fort Gratiot Nature Pond as I call it, features 4 ponds, the largest being Kettlewell Pond and is located in, you guessed it, Fort Gratiot Michigan. It has a blacktopped paved trail leading around and has two entrances, one by a dog park on Parker Road and the other at the southwestern most corner of the Meijer parking lot. The total walk if you walk everywhere around the park is under 2 miles. To go in from either of the parking lots and walk around the main pond which is what I mostly do when I adventure there as well as to check out the little pond closest to the dog park, is about 1.3 to 1.4 miles. The park has milage signs which are fun because on the bottom of each one is a quote from some historical figure, author or whatnot. They are fun to read. There are also a number of benches to sit on and relax enjoying nature. Fishing is allowed at the pond and there is a fishing dock on the Westernmost side of Kettlewell pond. Among the typical wildlife one expects to see at a nature pond, at this one, you can enjoy a variety of migratory ducks and birds passing through. On March 29th a Ring Necked Duck. It was at this pond a few years ago that I first saw a Double Crested Cormorant. Although I have not seen one there since that time. |
From Adventure 29th of March 2026: 
 
 
 
From Adventure 27th of April 2026: 
 
 
 From Adventure 12th and 13th of April 2026: 
 
 
 
 
 
From Adventure 15th of May 2026: 
 
 
 
 
 
The 15th was a great late afternoon / early evening adventure at the nature pond for there I observed for the 1st time of the season some migratory birds such as the Yellow Warbler shown here. Also observed for the first time of the season: Spotted Sandpiper as well as a white crowned sparrow. A black capped chickadee and mallard duck also shown. Also, now the mute swans and canada geese have had their babies (cygnets and goslings respectively). Hope you enjoy the pix! From Adventure 9th of June 2026: On a very hot day. . . 92 degrees. . . in the afternoon I made a quick walk around the pond before it was supposed to rain and storm. I was not dressed for the ocassion but "time was of the essence" right? And it proved to be a very enjoyable and productive walk, despite the Vulcan heat of the Day. There were Cowbirds there. . . They are notorious nest theives! There were males and females frolicking around. . . .the dragonflies were out and with the winds, it was probably 5 to 10 mile winds they were not landing on any of the reeds or logs. However, I was able to catch one of them hovering about me. The trick to doing this is to use a tripod and also to use Manual focus, otherwise they are really hard to get the focus dot on to focus on them given their small size. It is fun to catch them when they are doing this and not that difficult really. I was surprised with the heat that there were not more turtles out on the logs basking. Maybe it was even too hot for them! I also found on the trail a 6 Spotted (Green) Tiger Beetle. They have a cool metallic green body. Very neat and harmless. There were also about 4-5 crows on the trees around the wetland on the adjacent property when you just enter the park from the Meijer parking lot access. They were obviously hot in the weather too. Then I spent some time with a goose who was opening his mouth but not being vocal like they usually are. No hissing sound as is typical when they are mad at one getting close to them. I enjoyed photo'ing him. The gosslings are getting big. Despite the extreme heat I am glad I made a quick stop there in the afternoon before the storms came. Hope you enjoy the pix! 
 
 
 
 
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