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