July 23

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was mostly cloudy, humid with a temperature of 74 degrees and no wind.  Exiting the van, I was surprised to see that a new dairy operation had commenced on the property to the north. As I descended the hill toward Mallard Marsh I saw that some of the Curly Dock flower clusters had turned dark brown. This plant has been used as an astringent to treat wounds and bleeding. Also, rubbing the leaves on the skin can relieve the itchy symptoms of a stinging nettle rash. The seeds were once roasted and used as a coffee substitute (hence its other name, Coffee-weed). The vegetation around the Mallard Marsh was so tall that I could barely see the water surface. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I recalled yesterday being pleasantly surprised by the sighting of four male Bobolinks. However, I wasn’t sure what they were doing or where they were going. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south and headed toward Willow Wallow where I notice a few white Hedge Bindweed flowers near the ground. I turned west and continued toward Succession Field where I observed several dark pink blossoms of Swamp Milkweed on the west end of the pond. As I walked along Succession Field, I was amazed how the heavy dew allowed me to see dozens of small spider webs attached to the tops of the meadow grasses. At the far west end, I observed a huge Basswood tree with its large, heart-shaped leaves. This tree produces fragrant and nectar-producing flowers in mid-summer. These flowers are used as the medicinal herb, lime blossom that reduces nervous tension and anxiety and aids with sleep. Just before reaching Artist Overlook, I saw five deer take off, four toward Willow Wallow and one toward South Woods. Continuing along the south trail, I noticed lots of fresh Goldenrod galls including both the smooth, green “ball” gall and the leafy “flower” gall that forms when the Goldenrod Gall Midge, a miniscule fly--lays its egg in a leaf bud. After the grub hatches, its presence somehow keeps the stem from growing and elongating, even though the plant continues to produce leaves. This results in a tight, flower-like cluster of foliage, usually at the top of the Goldenrod's main stalk. As I approached Frog Fen, I saw a patch of lavender flowers of Canadian Thistle. I climbed to the top of Reflection Hill where I observed geese, grebes and mallards on Grebe Pond. I walked down Reflection Hill and just before the footbridge, I noticed a couple of pink Spotted Knapweed blossoms. Next, I headed toward the Classroom Building where I saw a single plant of Blue Vervain with its lovely purple blossoms and several delicate, white blossoms of Water Parsnip.  Finally, I arrived back at the van and took off for home.

Across the open common land


shines glowing purple floral blooms


The bumble bee can hardly stand,


as flowers' scent is rising fumes



And lies there in the summer shade


a resting deer quite joyfuly


for in this beauteous sunlit glade


all's observed by sent'nel tree



This tall oak stands by sparkling stream,


whose water splashes grass and rock,


reflecting in its azure gleam,


the woodland plant and dandy clock



While goes beneath the cloudless sky,


amidst a warm and dreamy breeze,


a squirrel idling, passing by,


past numerous, careless, floating seeds.

 Stephen Patrick