June 25

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather for the first Saturday after the solstice was mostly sunny and 61 degrees with a steady wind out of the northwest.  Walking down the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I noticed the bladder-like flowers of White Campion. Also called Evening Lychnis, they bloom at night to attract moths. At the marsh, I noticed that many of the green cattail stems were forming the familiar cigar-like female flower heads topped by the yellowish male flowers. Hiking through Bobolink Meadow, I saw some bright, yellow blossoms of Common Buttercup as well as the pale, yellow blossoms of Rough-fruited Cinquefoil.  I entered the dense shade of North Woods where I noticed a few, beautiful, purple-flowered Wild Irises growing out of the water next to the footbridge. Following the trail west, I saw a patch of Morning-star sedges with their green, star-like spikelets. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field which was heavily dotted with the white blossoms of Ox-eye Daisies. Next, I looked up to admire the sight and song of a male Baltimore Oriole. I entered South Woods and hiked over the boardwalk where I saw a few May-apple plants with their grape-size, green “apples” hanging from the stems. I suspected there was not enough sunlight to ripen the fruit. Along the edge of Swanson Swamp, I saw some interesting, whitish Coral-like Fungus growing on a small log.  I exited South Woods and continued toward Artist Overlook. However, this time I turned north toward Willow Wallow. I walked along the edge of the pond and observed dozens of small dragonflies darting across the trail. I climbed to the top of Reflection Hill where I noticed that about half of the water surface on Grebe Pond was covered with a thick coat of green Duck Weed. I walked down the south side of the hill and headed toward Brady Cemetery.  I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where I was amazed to see the meadow awash with color. There were numerous bright, yellow blossoms of Lance-leaf Coreopsis facing the morning sun as well as a few Black-eyed Susans. Also, there were a few beautiful, purple, 3-petal flowers of Spiderwort as well as many lavender blossoms of Canadian Thistle. Continuing along the east side of Grebe Pond, I observed both White and Yellow Sweet Clover. Finally, I arrived back at the Classroom Building and saw some daisy-like Mayweed growing in the front lawn. Glancing toward the barn, I could see the white blossoms on the Common Elder berry bushes. Finally, my weekly commune with nature was over so I got in the van and took off for home.

Oh! To be a flower 


Nodding in the sun, 


Bending, then upspringing 


As the breezes run;

Holding up 


A scentbrimmed cup, 


Full of summer's fragrance to the summer sun. 



Oh! To be a butterfly


Still, upon a flower, 


Winking with its painted wings, 


Happy in the hour. 


Blossoms hold 


Mines of gold 


Deep within the farthest heart of each chaliced flower. 


Amy Lowell

June 18

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was touring the Netherlands with my family and Remi was at the Happy Trails kennel in Alma. Sunday,I planned to hike a trail on Marken Island in Usselmeer Lake, 10 miles northeast of Amsterdam. The midday weather was cloudy with a temperature of 60 degrees and a very strong wind out of the northwest. As I followed the trail along the edge of a narrow canal, I noticed some yellow Buttercup along with some Dandelions. I also noticed some Mayweed and purple Thistle. On my right, I observed a coot-like Common Moorhen swimming in the canal. On my left was an open field with two crow-like birds called  European Jackdaws resting on the ground. Moving along, I spotted the tiny yellow flowers of Black Medick and white flowers of Bindweed(morning glory).I also saw a large Gray Heron wading in the canal.  I climbed the stairs and followed a trail on top of the dike that surrounded the island. On the lake side, I noticed a few cattails beginning to flower with their brown heads. I also saw two large birds that looked like Cormorants resting on a dock. As the trail turned directly into the strong wind, I noticed some white Yarrow and yellow Hawkweed. Along the shore were lots of Reed Canary Grass. Overhead, I observed a Sandwich Tern, a Comon Gull and a Black-headed Gull riding the wind. As the trailed turned again to the south, I saw two Eurasian Collared Doves walking on the ground. On my left, the canal was filled with Lilly pads with their beautiful yellow blossoms. Next to the trail , I was surprised to see a thistle type plant with yellow blossoms. Also, I observed some white Oxeye Daisies and some yellow St. Johns's Wort. Because of the strong wind, there were large whitecaps on the lake. Finally, I returned to the shelter of a building in the habor. We boarded a ferry and headed back to Amsterdam.

Now summer is in flower and natures hum

Is never silent round her sultry bloom

Insects as small as dust are never done

Wi' glittering dance and reeling in the sun

And green wood fly and blossom haunting bee

Are never weary of their melody

Round field hedge now flowers in full glory twine 


Large bindweed bells wild hop and streakd woodbine 


That lift athirst their slender throated flowers 


Agape for dew falls and for honey showers 


These round each bush in sweet disorder run 


And spread their wild hues to the sultry sun. 

John Clare

June 11

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 57 degrees and no wind.  Today, as the calendar moves closer to summer, I would focus on nature’s noises. I would perk up my ears and listen carefully to whatever sounds may arise. Before I descended the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I paused to listen to a House Wren hidden in the trees west of the Classroom. I walked down the hill and stopped at the marsh to hear both a male Redwing Blackbird perched in a nearby tree with its long warning call and a female Redwing Blackbird perched on a cattail stem with its short chirping call. Walking through Bobolink Meadow I scared up three Mallards from the neighbor’s cornfield and heard their familiar quacking call as they flew north. Also, I heard the distant cawing of a crow coming from the south.  Approaching North Woods, I roused five deer from their grassy beds. As they scattered in all directions, I was amazed how little noise they made. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where it was very quiet except for water dripping through the trees from last night’s rain. However, the quietude was broken by a Fox Squirrel scampering across the leaf litter. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I saw a Chipping Sparrow perched in an Autumn Olive shrub singing its familiar chipping song. Also, I was pleased to hear the long beautiful song of an Indigo Bunting from high in the trees. I entered South Woods and paused at the edge of Swanson Swamp to hear the strumming sound of a Bull Frog. Before exiting the woods, I noticed the sound of a Black-capped Chickadee. I exited the woods and continued toward Artist Overlook where I was greeting by the sound of a resident Song Sparrow. I continued along the south trail where I heard another Bull Frog calling from Sora Swale. I turned north at Frog Fen and climbed to the top of Reflection Hill. I paused to enjoy the song of a Cardinal coming from the willow thicket on the west side of Grebe Pond. I walked down Reflection Hill and was surprised to see a Green Heron perched on a branch that was sticking out of the water near the north side of the pond. As I came to the Classroom Building, I heard the meowing sound of a Catbird coming from the dense trees west of the Observation Platform. Finally, I walked back to the van and as I got in I heard the call of a Ring-necked Pheasant. Leaving the driveway, I noticed a Robin perched on a wire, singing farewell. So, my ears and I headed for home.

And what is so rare as a day in June?

Then, if ever, come perfect days; 


Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, 


And over it softly her warm ear lays: 


Whether we look, or whether we listen, 


We hear life murmur, or see it glisten.


James Russell Lowell

June 4

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The mid morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 73 degrees and a steady breeze out of the southwest.  Leaving my van, I hiked toward Mallard Marsh where I noticed a few Dandelion-like blossoms of Yellow Goat’s Beard next to the trail. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I recalled a few days ago being pleased to see my first Monarch Butterfly of the season. Also, I continued to search for the missing Bobolinks. On the edge of the trail was a patch of vine-like Common Cinquefoil with their 5-part leaves and beautiful yellow flowers.  I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I noticed how the ubiquitous, 5-leaf Virginia Creeper vine was beginning to cover the forest floor. I walked along and observed part of an old raccoon hide lying at the base of a dead stump. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I saw in the middle of the trail a patch of familiar White Clover with their white flowers and Alsike Clover with their pinkish flowers. At the same time, there were several brown and orange Pearl Crescent Butterflies fluttering about and landing on these flowers. Also, I walked by a patch of prickly Brambles with their attractive white blossoms. I entered the dense shade of South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp. I exited South Woods and hiked past Artist Overlook where I spooked up a couple of deer. I continued along the south trail and noticed both Yellow Hawkweed (King Devil) and Orange Hawkweed (Devil’s Paintbrush) beginning to bloom. Mixed in with the grasses on the trail were the tiny yellow flowers of Black Medick. I turned at Frog Fen toward Brady Cemetery.  I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where I observed lots of Curly Dock growing tall in the field. I was curious to see what looked like a glob of spit on one of the stems. Inside this white froth was the tiny nymph of a Froghopper bug. The froth hides the nymph from the view of predators and parasites as well as insulates against heat and cold. The froth has an acrid taste that deters predators. Following the trail north, I observed lots of Hop Clover with their small yellow flowers.  I kept hiking along the edge of Grebe Pond where I noticed some pretty purple blossoms of Red Clover. I arrived back at the Classroom Building and saw some Common Mallow with small white flowers growing next to the south side of the building. I also noticed some Small-flower Cranesbill with their tiny lavender flowers growing along the east side of the building. Finally, I paused for a drink of water, got in the van and headed for civilization.

It's beautiful the summer month of June


When all of God's own wildflowers are in bloom


And sun shines brightly most part of the day


And butterflies o'er lush green meadows play.

Light hearted skylark songster of the wing


High o'er the quiet and lonely moorland sing

Above her nest cloaked by the tangled heath

Her charming song so exquisitely sweet.

So mellow the gentle breath of June day breeze

The birds rejoicing on the leafy trees


And dappled trout in pool bed of the stream

Bask in the sun their spotted skins agleam 

Francis Duggan