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