August 27

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 70 degrees and a gentle wind out of the north bringing the smell of fresh cow manure from the dairy farm next door.  I descended the hill, passed Mallard Marsh and walked through Bobolink Meadow where I saw several Milkweed Beetles on Milkweed plants. Their orange and black aposematic colors are part of the "Milkweed mimicry" complex that includes Monarch butterflies, Viceroy and soldier butterflies. Next, I entered the cool, dense shade of North Woods and followed the trail west. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I saw how the gradual blossoming of the Goldenrod had given the landscape a yellowish hue. I entered South Woods and hiked past Swanson Swamp where I noticed some attractive, yellow-orange bracket fungi called Chicken of the Woods, growing on a dead tree. This edible mushroom can be prepared in the same way you prepare chicken meat. It can also be used as a substitute for chicken in a vegetarian diet. I exited South Woods, continued toward Artist Overlook and turned north where I saw something unusual on a Milkweed. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a mass of tiny yellow bugs called Oleander Aphids. Like the monarch these aphids pick up the toxic glycosides from the milkweed in their bodies. Their bright yellow-orange color serves as a warning to anything that tries to eat them. Like other aphids the Oleander aphid secretes a viscous sugary substance known as honeydew. This secretion is sought after by other insects, especially ants. Some ants live in close proximity and tend to the aphids. I walked east along the edge of Willow Wallow and counted 13 Leopard Frogs hopping off the trail. I continued toward Reflection Hill where I observed that the Autumn Olive bushes had lots of red berries on them. I paused and ate a few. The fruit was juicy, tart and had seeds that were chewable. I climbed the hill and paused to see a couple of turtles sunning themselves on a small cattail island south of the dock on Grebe Pond. I descended the hill and walked south past Frog Fen toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Meadow where I noticed how the folding up of most of the Queen Anne’s Lace flower heads had turned the surface of the grassland from white to a dull green color. I walked along the east edge of Grebe Pond and headed toward the barn.  I passed the barn and Classroom Building where I noticed several of the ever-present, yellow Dandelion flowers on the front lawn. Finally, another hike was finished so I got in the van and took off for home.

The leaves whisper, "welcome home,

welcome home, welcome home."


I see the breeze kissing them


while they softly repeat my name.

I look down at the grassy trail.

I wonder, did my ancestors walk here?

Am I stepping where they stepped?

The trees bow silently in reply.

A squirrel peeps from behind a tree,

he stares silently into my eyes.


He seems to know that I belong here


in the wooded palace among the trees.

A lark starts a song high above,

and the leafy ferns begin to sway,


the wind teases and lifts their tresses 


and the brook takes the harmony.

As the forest comes alive with song,

I stand awed by this great display.


And should I never hear another song,

I'll forever remember this day!

Mona Gallagher

August 20

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 66 degrees and no wind. A nearly quarter moon was visible high overhead. Today, I would reverse my course and begin at Grebe Pond. I walked to the end of the dock where I could see five ducks of unknown species swimming near the far shore. A Great Blue Heron was wading and then took off. Three Green Herons flew off from the near shore. I measured the water surface to be 19 inches below the top of the dock. I headed south through Native Meadow where I observed a few clumps of Big and Little Bluestem prairie grass to the right of the trail. Under the large Box Elder trees were several Burdock plants with huge leaves. I measured the largest leaf to be 22 inches long by 15 inches wide. Burdock is a traditional medicinal herb that is used for many ailments. Burdock root oil extract, also called Bur oil, is popular in Europe as a scalp treatment for dandruff and to combat hair loss. The leaves are used for pain management and to speed healing time in natural burn treatment. The seed is a known antibiotic. Next, I entered Brady Cemetery and walked up to the place where one of our former guides, Larry Kerr was recently buried. He will be remembered for his dedication and hard work including the building of our wigwam. I exited the cemetery, followed the trail west around Sora Swale. I passed Artist Overlook, turned west and entered South Woods where I immediately noticed that due to recent rains a variety of fungi, including molds and mushrooms had emerged. First, I spotted a few, small red-capped mushrooms. Then, I spotted some large orange and brown shelf fungi on the ground. I hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp and approached the boardwalk where I saw some beige, Coral Fungi on a decaying log and clumps of large brown, toadstool-type mushrooms on the ground. The largest cap measured 8 inches in diameter. At the exit to South Woods, I saw the small, white, non-chlorophyll plant called Indian Pipe. Continuing along the south side of Succession Field, I glanced down to see dozens of small pale-orange mushrooms called Birch Milkcap growing on the trail under the Birch trees. I circled the edge of the field, entered North Woods and saw a few beautiful yellow-cap mushrooms. Then, I turned east and crossed the boardwalk where I observed some white-cap mushrooms. Further on, I saw some interesting white slime mold as well as some white shelf fungi growing on a large, decaying Beech tree. Near the exit, I heard the long whining of Cicada. I exited the woods, hiked through Bobolink Meadow past Mallard Marsh and climbed the hill to the Storage Building. Finally, I got in the van and took off for home.

Walking in the woods,


A step beyond,


That tantalizing threshold,


That guards our minds from the unseen.

Walking in the woods,


No sky above,


That wide expansive canvas,


Replaced by canopy of green.

Walking in the woods,


No path below,


No endless concrete river,


Just this wilderness pristine.

Darian Peters

August 13

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The late morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and a steady wind out of the south. Descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I saw the first of a dozen Sulfur Butterflies fluttering in the field. I walked through Bobolink Meadow where I noticed that many of the Queen Anne’s Lace flower heads had lost their blossoms and were folding up into the familiar “bird nest” shape.  I turned at the entrance to North Woods and came to Willow Wallow where I walked west and noticed lots of pine cone galls on some Black Willows. The gall is made by the larva of a small mosquito-like fly called a gall gnat. The larva contains a powerful growth substance that makes the willow stem grow abnormally. By releasing this chemical at the correct time, the young gnat prevents the stem from elongating and causes the immature leaves to broaden and harden in the shape of scales on a cone. The little larva lives in a small chamber in the center of the gall. After it has had its fill of food, it hibernates for the winter in this chamber awaiting warm weather in order to metamorphose into a gnat. I continued around Succession Field and noticed that both the Canadian Goldenrod and the Lance-leaved Goldenrod were beginning to show their yellow blossoms. It won’t be long before this color dominates the meadow. On the far west trail, I was please to get close enough to a Giant Swallowtail Butterfly to take its picture. Also, I walked by a plant with white flower clusters that has stumped me for over a year. Recently, I thought it was Butterfly Bush. However, after further investigation, I have decided it was a Narrowleaf Meadowsweet. Next, I noticed near the ground the purple flowers of Heal-All. This plant is both edible and medicinal. It can be used in salads, soups and stews. It has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries on just about every continent in the world and for just about every ailment. Heal-all was once proclaimed to be a holy herb and was thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast. It was said to drive away the devil. I passed Artist Overlook and continued along the south trail next to Sora Swale where I could hear the continual chorus of Katydids and Crickets. I turned at Frog Fen and climbed to the top of Reflection Hill. From the top of the hill I saw my first Praying Mantis of the season flying low in the meadow and landing on a Goldenrod plant. Finally, I descended the hill, passed the Classroom Building, got in the van and took off for home.

Heat urges secret odors from the grass.

Blunting the edge of silence, crickets shrill.

Wings veer: inane needles of light, and pass.

Laced pools: the warm wood-shadows ebb and fill.

The wind is casual, loitering to crush

The sun upon his palate, and to draw

Pungence from pine, frank fragrances from brush,

Sucked up through thin grey boughs as through a straw.

Moss-green, fern-green and leaf and meadow-green

Are broken by the bare, bone-colored roads,

Less moved by stirring air than by unseen

Soft-footed ants and meditative toads.

Summer is passing, taking what she brings:

Green scents and sounds, and quick ephemeral wings.

Babette Deutsch

August 6

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 70 degrees and no wind.  I descended the hill and passed Mallard Marsh where I noticed large patches of Canadian Thistle flowers that had gone to seed and turned fuzzy white. Not surprisingly, I’ve seen lots of Goldfinch lately since thistle is their favorite food and nesting material. In fact, this bird delays its nesting until thistle goes to seed. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I saw a few Small White Aster blossoms. Also, I recalled being surprised yesterday to see a Mink running on the trail about 30 yards in front of me. At the entrance to North Woods, I noticed the tiny white blossoms of Virginia Knotweed. Entering the woods, I saw the purple blossoms of Field Milkwort. I followed the trail west and observed that all the vernal ponds had finally dried up.  I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I saw the white flowers of Catnip. I stopped and picked a leaf to smell its pungent odor. Next, I spotted a plant with white flowers that I’ve had a hard time identifying. After keying it out, I decided it was Butterfly Bush. On the far southwest corner, I saw the tiny yellow flowers of Agrimonia and the pale pink flowers of Spotted Joe-Pye Weed. The origin of this plant’s name is uncertain. The most prevalent theory holds that it refers to a Colonial-era Native American named Joe Pye, who is said to have used the plant to cure typhus. Next, I was surprised to see so many dead birch leaves on the trail. I entered South Woods and saw the very tiny white flowers of Enchanter’s Nightshade while hiking past Swanson Swamp. Next, I observed the white blossoms of Boneset. Tea from the dried leaves of this plant makes a good laxative. I exited South Woods, passed Artist Overlook and continued along the south trail where the morning sun caused the dewy grass to sparkle. I turned at Frog Fen toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where the colors and variety of wildflowers have been impressive all summer. Unfortunately, I still haven’t seen evidence of the prairie grasses that we planted last year. I glanced over to Grebe Pond and was surprised that no waterfowl were present. I walked along the east side of pond and noticed a few Tree Swallows perched on the overhead power lines along with a Morning Dove. When I reached south side of the barn, I noticed some yellow blossoms of False Sunflower. Finally, another hike was finished. So the dog and I got in the van and took off for home.

Surrounded by beauty amongst the trees


hearing the whisper of a gentle breeze

Rustling tree tops sway to and fro


a seed drops to the ground encouraged to grow

Thick vegetation covers the earths floor


the quietness fills your very core

Watching the birds take to flight


from one branch to another it's quite a sight

Listening to the sounds of the flowing stream


leaves me to wonder if I'm in a dream

Leaves crunch under my feet with every step of the way


leaving behind the worries from my day

The sun shimmers through the canvas above


shining down to the soft grasses it's love

The air is fresh, clean and clear


the sounds of nature is all you hear

Spreading a blanket across the sod


I watch a butterfly leave her pod

Tranquility abundant I relax in stride


becoming one with nature, I sigh with pride

Alisa Mantall