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