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