April 9

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The mid-day weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 52 degrees and a steady wind out of the east.  Before descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I scanned the landscape to the west and saw no evidence of any snow cover. However, water from melting snow and recent rains had saturated the ground and filled the wetlands. Approaching Mallard Marsh, I was awestruck a few days ago by my first sighting of a Great Blue Heron swooping low over the water. I hoped this graceful bird with its 6-ft wingspan would establish this place as a fishing site. Also, on a previous hike, I saw a medium-size bird fly over Bobolink Meadow and stop in mid air to hover. I suspected it was an American Kestrel looking for a meal. This gray-colored raptor is a member of the falcon family. Entering North Woods, I looked to my right and saw the gray fur and skull of an Opossum lying at the base of a tree. It appeared that this marsupial had been killed and eaten by a predator several days ago. I picked up the skull and felt the sharp teeth of the upper and lower jaw. Also, I noticed its long, scaly tail hidden under the fur. I continued on the trail west where I was pleased to finally see something green growing. All around me mats of moss with different textures and shades of green were growing on a variety of surfaces. Some were growing on the bases of trees, others on decaying branches, still others on bare ground and some even on rocks. Also, some moss had a reddish tint due to the hair-like sporophytes sprouting up. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I walked past a few lingering patches of snow on the shady south-side trail. I entered South Woods and hiked over the boardwalk where I saw a pile of hickory-nut husks left over from last fall by a resident squirrel. I exited South Woods and continued on to Artist Overlook where I was pleased to hear a chorus of Green Frogs and Spring Peepers in Sora Swale. I hiked along the south trail, turned at Frog Fen and headed south toward Brady Cemetery. As I passed the cemetery, I noticed someone had dumped off an old TV and smashed it in several pieces, leaving quite a mess on the edge of the road. I continued north into Native Grassland where I recalled on an earlier hike, being surprised to see a reclusive American Woodcock take off and fly west. The long, sharp bill of this medium-size game bird helps it probe for worms in the soil. I continued past Grebe Pond where I was excited to observe a pair of Tree Swallows swooping over the water. I walked past the barn and headed for the van. Another memorable hike was finished so I took off for home.

Now that the winter's gone, the earth hath lost

Her snow-white robes, and now no more the frost


Candies the grass, or casts an icy cream


Upon the silver lake or crystal stream;


But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth,


And makes it tender; gives a sacred birth


To the dead swallow; wakes in hollow tree


The drowsy cuckoo and the humble-bee.


Now do a choir of chirping minstrels bring

In triumph to the world the youthful spring.

Thomas Carew