September 24

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early evening weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 66 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the south. I hiked west down the hill past Mallard Marsh through Bobolink Meadow and entered North Woods. I followed the trail west where far off to my right, I noticed a large cluster of bright orange mushrooms at the base of a decaying stump. This mushroom is appropriately named Jack-o'-lantern. Not only is it pumpkin-colored and found in the fall, but it also gives off a faint greenish glow at night. These mushrooms have caused many poisonings because they look, smell and even taste good. They cause mild to severe stomach upset but are not life threatening. Next, I arrived at the exit to North Woods where I noticed a few large Green Ash trees were dead as they stood. I walked up to one, examined the trunk and observed some tiny exit holes of the Emerald Ash Borer. It was clear to me that this invasive beetle had killed these trees. The adult beetle is dark metallic green, bullet-shaped and less than a half-inch long. The larvae burrow into the bark after hatching and consume the cambium and phloem, effectively girdling the tree and causing it to die. Fortunately, there are not that many ash trees in this area. I continued around Succession Field and looked up to see the sun peaking through the clouds. I paused and commemorated the start of the fall season and welcomed the sun as yesterday it reached the autumnal equinox and began to warm up the southern hemisphere. I continued on the path and turned south to Artist Overlook. I followed the trail along the east side of the woods where I noticed that the leaves of the Virginia Creeper had turned a bright red color and its vines had clusters of pea-size purple berries. These berries contain oxalic acid, which is moderately toxic to humans and other mammals. However, they provide an important winter food source for birds. I continued down the south trail to Frog Fen, turned south and headed toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where I was very pleased to see lots of prairie grasses growing up including: Blue Stem, Indian Grass and Canadian Wild Rye. As I continued walking, I was again surprised to see a beautiful white Egret wading along the west edge of Grebe Pond. Finally, I passed the barn, got in the van and took off for home.

Oak trees sigh

in the gentle breeze,

rustling leaves,


birds singing in the trees.

Bluebells sway


as I tiptoe through,


laying out their beauty,


their carpet of blue.

Ants scurry busily


over twigs and soil


working and carrying


they have constant toil

All around I feel nature


I breath in it's air


I bathe in it's beauty


and just stop to stare

The woods give freedom


they get in my soul


they make me so humble


They make me feel whole

Susan Bailey

September 17

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 48 degrees and no wind. I walked down the hill and was pleased to see a Great Blue Heron rise silently from Mallard Marsh and fly south toward Grebe Pond. I passed the marsh and was surprised to see a large patch of yellow flowers of Nodding Bur-Marigold. Its name comes from tendency of mature flowers to droop, the clinging nature of the seeds and the superficial resemblance of the flowers to marigold. Its other common names include: Sticktights and Beggar's Ticks. Walking through a stand of these plants in late summer results in numerous barbed seeds sticking to your clothes.  Also, I noticed that mixed in this patch of Nodding Bur-Marigolds were a few close relatives, called Tickseed Sunflowers. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I gazed at bright yellow fields as the densely growing Goldenrod plants were in full bloom. Also, I noticed that some of the Panicle Aster plants were showing their white daisy-like blossoms. I turned at the entrance to North Woods and headed south toward Willow Wallow. To my right was a patch of Bushy Asters with their pale lavender flowers. To my left was a patch of New England Aster with their striking, deep purple flowers. Crossing the footbridge, I noticed lots of Woolgrass with its fluffy, reddish brown tops. The common name of this plant is misleading because it isn't a member of the Grass family. Instead, it is a member of the Sedge family. To make matters even more confusing, they are collectively referred to as 'Bulrushes,' even though they are not members of the Rush family. Next, I turned west, passed the pond and was surprised to see two, orange and black Viceroy butterflies sitting close to each other on a Goldenrod flower waiting for the sun to warm them up. A few steps further, I was again surprised to see a small Garter Snake curled up on top of a Goldenrod flower about two feet off the ground. Continuing my hike, I saw some dainty Small White Asters along the west side. I passed Artist Overlook and continued along the south trail where I observed a patch of dense, white flowers of Heath Aster. Turning north at Frog Fen, I climbed to the top of Reflection Hill where I spotted six ducks of unknown species swimming on the east shore of Grebe Pond. Also, I observed a few Tree Swallows swooping over the water to catch insects. I walked down the hill, crossed the footbridge and came to the Classroom Building where I was surprised to see a large Cooper’s hawk perched on the wigwam, staring at me. As I headed toward the van, it took off and flew behind the barn. Finally, I got in the van and headed for home.

When the goldenrod is yellow,


And leaves are turning brown 


Reluctantly the summer goes


In a cloud of thistledown.

When squirrels are harvesting


And birds in flight appear 


By these autumn signs we know


September days are here.

Beverly Ashour

September 10

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was mostly clear with a temperature of 53 degrees and no wind.  The morning sun warmed my back as I moved down the hill toward Mallard Marsh. I continued through Bobolink Meadow where I recalled earlier in the week spotting my first black and green-striped Monarch caterpillar munching on a Milkweed leaf. I also saw an early sign of autumn as many of the larger Milkweed pods were turning from green to purple. Entering North Woods and following the trail west, I noticed lots of Virginia Knotweed with their tiny white flowers. Continuing along the path, I observed several amber-colored Beech Drop plants sprouting from the forest floor. If I would dig down along the stem of these non-chlorophyll plants, I would find a connection directly to a Beech tree root. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field. Hiking along the west side, I noticed that most of the leaves of the Basswood trees were covered with a Sooty Mold. Sooty molds are fungi that grow on the sugary honeydew secreted by insects such as aphids and other insects that suck sap from their host plants. I entered South Woods and hiked past Swanson Swamp where I spotted a cluster of bright red berries of Jack-in-the-Pulpit. These berries have the consistency of a ripe tomato and are an attractive food source for birds and rodents. They are not edible by humans and contain calcium oxalate that can irritate the skin. Further along, I saw a large white bracket mushroom growing on the base of a tree. I measured it to be 12 inches in diameter. Then, I noticed some yellow Amanita mushrooms.  Although generally considered poisonous, they are consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling. Amanita is known for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound Muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. I exited South Woods and passed Artist Overlook. Continuing along the south trail, I heard and saw a pair of Killdeer flying high overhead. Approaching Frog Fen, I counted a dozen Canadian geese flying in formation from east to west over Grebe Pond. Next, I turned south and headed toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland. The meadow, that once exploded with colorful flowers, was now quite drab. However, as I hiked along the east side of Grebe Pond, I was surprised to see an Evening Primrose with its beautiful, pale, yellow blossoms sticking up far off in the field. I got off the trail and hiked over to the plant to smell the sweet scent of its flowers which attract pollinating moths. Finally, I passed the Classroom Building and arrived at the van.  I headed for home with pleasant thoughts of another weekly commune with nature.

The month of September

it is just started

soon it will roll by

then follows

the autumn months

October and November

the dazzling colorful foliage

that touches the heart

when nature splashes

its most beauty

like bride in wedding night

Then there are trees

that shed their leaves

like shedding tears

saying farewell to

the summer months

this is the year life cycle

that revolves like a carousel

in an amusement park

we are going for a ride

in an eternal delight

Sherif Monem

September 3

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was overcast and humid with a temperature of 71 degrees and no wind.  There was a distant sound of thunder coming from the west. I descended the hill, walked past Mallard Marsh and continued through Bobolink Meadow. I turned at the entrance to North Woods and headed south toward Willow Wallow. As I turned west at the pond and started around Succession Field, I saw some white blossoms of Turtlehead on my right. Turtlehead plants are used in natural medicine. Traditional practices create a tonic from this plant that is beneficial for indigestion, constipation, and stimulating the appetite. It is also an anthelmintic (de-wormer) and a salve from the leaves may relieve itching and inflammation. Nearby, I was surprised to see a Purple Loosestrife plant. To prevent this invasive plant from spreading, I will cut off and dispose of the flower head and then kill the rest of the plant with herbicide. I continued around the field and spotted some white blossoms of Flat-top Aster next to South Woods. This perennial native plant is an important host plant in the life cycle of Pearl Crescent butterflies. Several Native American tribes used the smoke from burning aster plants to assist in reviving persons who had fainted. Other tribes brewed a tea from aster plants to relieve headaches. I paused at Artist Overlook and was reminded of the beautiful, white Egret I observed a few days ago standing on the far shore of Sora Swale. Continuing along the south trail, I saw some small, white mushrooms on the ground called Spiny Puffballs. Like most other puffball species, it is edible when still young, white and firm. Consumption of older specimens that turn into a powdery spore mass may cause stomach upsets. I turned north at Frog Fen and headed up Reflection Hill where I noticed the Red Osier Dogwood shrubs had lots of white berries on them. This fleshy fruit is not edible but is very valuable to wildlife. Birds known to eat the berries include: cardinals, orioles, robins and tree swallows.  When I reached the top of the hill, rain was beginning to fall. A northwest wind was blowing in storm clouds while a bolt of lightning appeared off to the north. It was time to head for the van. I walked rapidly toward the Classroom Building where I paused briefly to pick and eat some Wild Grapes from vines clinging to an Aspen tree next to the trail. These small, purple grapes taste quite sour and have many seeds. However, they can be processed into jam and wine. They’re also a favorite food of many birds. Finally, I found shelter in the van and took off for home.

The golden-rod is yellow; 


The corn is turning brown;


The trees in apple orchards


With fruit are bending down.



The gentian's bluest fringes


Are curling in the sun;


In dusty pods the milkweed


Its hidden silk has spun.



The sedges flaunt their harvest,


In every meadow nook;


And asters by the brook-side


Make asters in the brook,



From dewy lanes at morning


The grapes' sweet odors rise;


At noon the roads all flutter


With yellow butterflies.

 

By all these lovely tokens 
 

September days are here… 

With summer's best of weather,


And autumn's best of cheer.

Helen Hunt Jackson,