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