October 29

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. We were glad to be accompanied by my wife, Caroline and our good friends, Buzz & Linda Wynbeek from Rockford. The mid morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 40 degrees and no wind. Before descending the hill, I scanned the western landscape and noticed that most of the fall color was gone as the leaves had fallen from the deciduous vegetation. I hiked past Mallard Marsh through Bobolink Meadow. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I immediately noticed how illuminated the ground was since sunlight could now penetrate the leafless canopy. I exited the woods and continued around Succession Field where I was pleased to hear a Black-capped Chickadee fluttering in the trees. Looking up about 30 ft. at a cavity in the top of a dead tree, I recalled earlier in the week seeing an adult raccoon lying there basking in the morning sun. Also, now that most of the leaves were down, I could hear an occasional car moving down the road to the west. Entering South Woods, I hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp. Next, I decided to get off the trail and walk down to the shoreline where I observed that leaves had fallen into the shallow water where they began to decay and turned it root beer brown. I resumed hiking and once again got off the trail to investigate a large boulder sitting on the forest floor about 30 yards away. From close up, it was dark in color due to a thick covering of lichens and moss. I estimated this boulder to be about 5 ft. long, 4 ft. wide and 2½ ft. high. I estimated its weight to be about six thousand pounds. I suspected this boulder was an Erratic that was transported and deposited by a glacier several thousand years ago. I exited the woods, immediately got off the trail again and headed south to a shallow depression that had been previously filled with water. I looked around and noticed a large rusty metal cylinder about the size of a hot water heater lying on the ground.  I continued on to Artist Overlook where I paused to observe about 2 dozen ducks taking off from Sora Swale. Continuing along the south trail, I observed the willow thicket on my left had turned a gorgeous golden yellow.  Next, I turned south at Frog Fen, passed Brady Cemetery and entered Native Grassland. Walking north, I spotted a large muskrat lodge in the southwest corner of Grebe Pond. Finally, I passed the barn, passed the Classroom Building, got in the van and took off for home.

Just before the death of flowers,


And before they are buried in snow,

There comes a festival season


When nature is all aglow.

Author Unknown

October 22

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 32 degrees and a light wind out of the west. Before descending the hill, I noticed a heavy layer of frost covering the landscape. I hiked along the edge of Mallard Marsh and was surprised to still see a few bright yellow blossoms of Wild Lettuce. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I roused 3 American Woodcocks that took off and flew rapidly toward the southwest. Looking north, I spotted a Cooper’s Hawk perched about 30 feet up a leafless tree in the neighbor’s field. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south toward Willow Wallow where I observed a few pink blossoms of Red Clover. Red clover is a wild plant belonging to the legume family that is used for grazing cattle and other animals. It has also been used medicinally to treat a number of conditions. Traditionally, these have included cancer, whooping cough, respiratory problems, and skin inflammations, such as psoriasis and eczema. Red clover was thought to "purify" the blood by acting as a diuretic and expectorant, improving circulation, and helping cleanse the liver. Next, I crossed the footbridge, turned west and entered Succession Field. I continued around the perimeter of Succession Field where I noticed how most of the Goldenrod flowers had gone to seed and changed from yellow to fuzzy beige. I kept walking toward Artist Overlook, turned north and headed back to Willow Wallow where I was pleased to see that lots of Autumn Olive shrubs had been cut down as part of a recent attempt to control the spread of these invasive plants. I continued east along the edge of the pond, walking through a golden corridor of dead Cattails and Canary Grass. Climbing Reflection Hill, I paused and glanced down on a placid Grebe Pond. I headed south and descended the hill while slipping and sliding on the frost-covered trail. Heading toward Brady Cemetery, I was startled by a rooster Pheasant and 5 hens as they took off right near me. I entered Native Grassland that was mostly devoid of color with the exception of a few remaining blossoms of Aster and Black-eyed Susans poking through the undergrowth. Following the trail north along the edge of Grebe Pond, I was surprised to spot a half dozen perching Redwing Blackbirds. Hearing the shrilling song of the male birds reminded me of spring and summer. Since the resident blackbirds had left long ago, I suspected these birds were passing through on their southerly migration. As I approached the barn, a wading Great Blue Heron took off from the pond and flew west over the cattails. Finally, I passed the Classroom Building, got in the van and took off for home.

The sweet calm sunshine of October, now
   

Warms the low spot; upon its grassy mold


The purple oak-leaf falls; the birchen bough
   

drops its bright spoil like arrow-heads of gold.


William Cullen Bryant

October 15

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was mostly cloudy, drizzly with a temperature of 45 degrees and a stiff wind out of the northwest. I descended the hill to Mallard Marsh where I once again saw a Great Blue Heron take off from the cattails. Soon it will fly south to spend the winter in wetlands and coastal waters of either southern United States or Central America. I walked through Bobolink Meadow, entered North Woods and followed the trail west to the large footbridge. I stepped down into the lowest point of the dried up vernal pond, observed the high water marks on the surrounding trees and estimated that the maximum depth of the water last spring was around 3 feet. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I was surprised to see some very tiny, pale blue blossoms mixing in with the grass on the trail. I stooped down, pick one and observed it carefully to see it was Thyme-leaved Speedwell. Looking up at the trees, I was disappointed that most of the colorful leaves had fallen. Leaves contain three main pigments: carotene, anthocyanin, and the photosynthetic pigment, chlorophyll, which captures the sun’s energy to make food for plants. As the most abundant pigment, chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green color. Reduced sunlight and colder temperatures in the fall causes chlorophyll to disintegrate rapidly, letting carotene show through as the yellow in maple, aspen and birch leaves. Anthocyanin, meanwhile, provides the oranges and reds of maples, sumacs and oaks. Next, I entered South Woods and hiked past Swanson Swamp where I noticed a heavy layer of leaves on the forest floor. A chemical in these leaves, called Auxin controls a special band of cells at the base of each leaf stem called the abscission layer. During the growing season, Auxin prevents this layer from fully developing.  In fall, however, cooler and shorter days trigger an end to Auxin production, allowing the abscission layer to grow, releasing the leaf from the branch so it falls to the ground. Although the yellow and red pigments in the leaves last for a few days once on the ground, they soon disintegrate. All that remains are these leaves brown, russet, tan and gold leaves colored by another leaf pigment called tannin. Next, I exited South Woods and continued on to Artist Overlook. Continuing along the south trail, I turned at Frog Fen toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and observed that several Chicory plants still had their lovely sky blue blossoms. I entered Native Grassland and followed the trail along the edge of Grebe Pond. A large patch of lime green duckweed outlined the pond’s border along the north shore. I passed the barn and arrived back at the Classroom Building. Finally, I got in the van and took off for home.

How innocent were these Trees, that in 


Mist-green May, blown by a prospering breeze, 


Stood garlanded and gay; 


Who now in sundown glow


Of serious color clad confront me with their show


As though resigned and sad,


Trees, who unwhispering stand umber, bronze, gold; 


Pavilioning the land for one grown tired and old;


Elm, chestnut, aspen and pine, I am merged in you, 


Who tell once more in tones of time, 


Your foliaged farewell.

Siegfried Sassoon,

October 8

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 53 degrees and no wind. Looking off to the west, I noticed a thin layer of radiation fog covering the landscape. Descending the hill, I passed Mallard Marsh and walked through Bobolink Meadow where I saw how many Milkweed pods had dried out and split open to reveal the seeds with their silky, white hairs. Further down the trail, I scared up 3 rooster pheasants and 1 hen. Entering North Woods, I admired the colorful forest floor covered with leaves of brown, gold, red and orange. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I observed a Hawthorn bush with its berry-like fruit. The fruit, called haws, are edible, but are commonly made into jellies, jams and syrups, rather than eaten fresh. A haw is similar in size and shape to a small olive or grape, and red when ripe. Haws are important for wildlife in winter, particularly thrushes and waxwings; these birds eat the haws and disperse the seeds in their droppings. Continuing down the path along the west boundary, I noticed the bright red berries of the Multi-flora Rose, called hips. Rose hips are a source of food to the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-Necked Pheasant and White-Footed Mouse. Animals that eat the hips help to distribute the seeds far and wide. Rose hips can be used in jams and for making herbal tea. They are rich in vitamin C.  Because rose hips often hang on the bush all winter, they are an excellent emergency survival food. The pulpy exterior of the hips can be eaten raw. Next, I hiked quietly through South Woods observing more colorful leaves blanketing the ground. I exited back to Succession Field and headed east. I turned south and stopped at Artist Overlook. The morning sun almost blinded me; so I shaded my eyes just in time to see a Great Blue Heron take off gracefully from Sora Swale and fly southwest. Standing still looking east, I recalled fondly how excited the school children were yesterday to stop here and chase butterflies and dragonflies with their insect nets. Continuing along the south trail, I glanced up to see a single Killdeer calling out as it flew overhead.  Also, I noticed how the soybean field to the south had lost its green foliage and exposed the beige-colored bean pods. I turned north at Frog Fen and climbed Reflection Hill where I observed that all was quiet on Grebe Pond with the exception of another Great Blue Heron taking off and heading south. I walked down the hill and arrived back at the Classroom Building.  Finally, another hike was finished so I got in the van and took off for home.

Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest,


I have seen You in the setting Sun


with Your long auburn tresses


blowing in the cool air that surrounds You.


Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled


with amber, amethyst, and rubies.


Your long, flowing purple robe stretches across the horizon.


In Your hands You hold the ripened fruits.


At Your feet the squirrels gather acorns.


Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms.


All around You the leaves are falling.


You sit upon Your throne and watch


the dying fires of the setting Sun


shine forth its final colors in the sky.


The purple and orange lingers


and glows like burning embers.


Then all colors fade into the twilight.


Lady Autumn, You are here at last.


We thank You for Your rewards.


We have worked hard for these gifts.


Lady Autumn, now grant us peace and rest.

Deirdre Akins

October 1

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 39 degrees and a brisk north wind. To celebrate the beginning of October, I planned to focus on nature’s noises. I would perk up my ears and listen for any sound that came along. I paused at the top of the hill and listened to a few dairy cows mooing from the neighboring farm. I took off, hiked past Mallard Marsh and walked through Bobolink Meadow where I was disappointed that the Orthopteran chorus was silent due to the cold temperatures. This mixture of songs from grasshoppers, crickets and katydids was evident most of the week. Next, I entered North Woods and followed the trail west to the boardwalk where I heard a few crows cawing from far off to the north. I continued west and could hear a crunching sound as I walked over the dried up leaves that had fallen and littered the trail. I exited North Woods and immediately heard the familiar song of a Black-Capped Chickadee. Also, I looked up and noticed a Red-bellied Woodpecker scampering around the trunk of a tree as it called out. I continued around Succession Field where I enjoyed the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the Aspen trees.  Entering South Woods, I could hear the faint chirping of a Chipmunk scampering over the forest floor. I paused at the edge of Swanson Swamp and recalled a few days ago seeing a reclusive Pileated Woodpecker perched high in a tree subsequent to hearing it’s loud drumming and distinctive call. I exited South Woods and continued toward Artist Overlook. However, I turned north and walked toward Willow Wallow. I hiked east along the edge of the pond where I heard the raucous song of a Blue Jay that was perched above the pond on a tall dead tree. While climbing up Reflection Hill, I listened to the soft droning of an airplane moving south against the clear, blue sky. Next, I turned south, descended the hill and headed toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery, entered Native Grassland and hiked along the east side of Grebe Pond. I passed the barn and walked out on the dock on Grebe Pond where I observed ten Canadian Geese swimming and honking loudly. These may be geese that breed in Canada in the summer and pass through Michigan as they migrate to their wintering grounds in Mississippi or Tennessee. Or, they may be geese that breed locally and are gathering to migrate to those same Mississippi or Tennessee wintering grounds. A third possibility is they are geese that breed locally and will hang around through the winter unless they are forced south by extremely cold temperatures that freeze the open water they need. Also, I recalled from earlier in the week the excited chatter of elementary school children as they used aquatic nets to catch leeches, water bugs and minnows. Finally, I passed the Classroom Building and arrived at the van. Another hike was finished so my ears and I took off for home.

Golden, orange and yellow leaves glimmer in the setting sun

This is one of the first signs that summertime is done

I can hear the soft rustling as they fall from the trees

Soaring and gliding as they are blown through the breeze

Masses of leaves form into one

Plants are decaying,

Lifeless and swaying

Shadows are growing,

Less light is showing

Animals sleeping,

No sound or peeping

The whole world knows that fall has begun

Sabrina Ryans