Recommending more State symbols

Early in March there was a flock of robins in my backyard here in Virginia. Several of them had little banners attached to their tails so that in flight they said, “Michigan or Bust!” OK, I made that last part up.

But they were here and I assume some of them were headed to my old home state and stopped over for a little refreshment at my place. Happy to oblige.

Many of you are aware that the robin is the state bird of Michigan. More thoughts on that later. It turns out that Michigan (and I assume other states) have numerous state symbols. I saw that the wood duck has been named the state duck.

Michigan’s state fish is the trout, specifically the brook trout. Good choice, I think.

The state flower is the sweet crabapple.

Sponsors noted it was “one of the most fragrant and beautiful flowered species of apple.” It is native to the state. Another excellent choice since Michigan is the second largest producer of apples in the nation (behind only Washington).

In 1955, the towering white pine was designated the state tree. It was chosen as a symbol of one of Michigan’s greatest industries. From 1870 to the early 1900s, Michigan led the nation in lumber production.

In 1965, the Petoskey stone was adopted as the state stone. It is fossilized coral that existed in the northern Lower Peninsula about 350 million years ago.

Over the years, the state legislature, in its infinite wisdom (and with nothing better to do) designated a state mammal (whitetail deer), state gem (Chlorostrolite-green star stone), state native grain (Manoomin – Michigan wild rice), state reptile (painted turtle), state soil (Kalkaska Sand), state wildflower (dwarf lake iris). Even a state fossil (Mastodon).

I have no quibble with any of those except the state bird. I think that any state bird should live in the state year-round, not become a snowbird (like many retirees). I recommend the robin be replaced by the house sparrow. Abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms, flocks of them cluster in dense bushes, bustling around and chattering to one another. And they live in Michigan all year, freezing their feathers off like other Michiganders.

While I’m at it, let me make a few other recommendations for state symbols that the legislature might consider.

Michigan is home to more than 1.1 million cattle on more than 12,000 farms. Therefore, I suggest we need a state cow. There are numerous breeds, of course, but my nominee is the Holstein. Holstein cows are the world’s highest-producing dairy cattle, instantly recognized by their distinctive black-and-white or red-and-white spotted markings.

Next, we could use a state snake. Fortunately, there are no deadly poisonous snakes in the state, but Google tells me that there are 18 different types of serpents slithering across our two peninsulas.

Garter snakes are excellent for gardens, acting as harmless, natural pest control by eating slugs, insects, grubs, and small rodents. I saw lots of them on Teeds Street growing up. So, I nominate the garter as the state snake.

Might just as well have a state bug now that we’re on a roll. Thousands of possibilities here, but my choice is the ladybug. They are cute, useful and are orange and black, my high school colors.

For state rodent, I nominate the porcupine. Go ahead, try to pet one but make sure you go with, not against, the quills.

Our state tree, the white pine, has thin needles, not broad leaves. So, for state leaf, let’s go with the mighty oak. I like maple leaves, but our friends in neighboring Canada have dibs on those.

Our state shrub should be the lilac. I can still smell the sweet fragrance of lilacs wafting into my open windows in Almont.

Finally, we need a state fruit. Since the apple blossom is the state flower, it follows that the apple should be the state fruit. There are many, many varieties to choose from, depending on your taste buds. An apple a day keeps…

There are my nominees for more Michigan state symbols. Your choices? I hope the robins made it to your yard. Sparrow freezing feathers in Michigan winter. Holstein for state cow. Garter for state snake. School colors Lady Bug. Lilac for state shrub.

Contact Rick at dave@tri-citytimes.com