November 12

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 31 degrees and no wind.  A nearly full moon was quite evident against a clear blue sky. The dusting of snow that covered the ground yesterday morning had melted away. On today’s walk, I planned to focus on the green color of the fall flora before it faded away for the winter. Even though most of the deciduous trees and shrubs had turned color, I knew there was still some green vegetation to be found before the colder temperatures and shorter photoperiods destroyed all the chlorophyll. Since much of the landscape was no longer green, it would be easier to spot those plants that retained their color. Not the pale green color that was quickly turning yellow, but the bold, lush green of summer. I started down the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh where I noticed a thin layer of ice on the water while the shoreline was well defined by dense, green grass. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I saw a few green leaves left on the Autumn Olive shrubs even though most had turned yellow. Entering North Woods. I followed the trail west where I was surprised to see a few, young, green Autumn Ferns emerging from the leaf litter. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I looked up just in time to see a Great Blue Heron fly over South Woods. I entered the woods and noticed lots of deep green moss growing on the bases of trees and on decaying logs. Exiting South Woods, I turned north toward Willow Wallow and walked east along the edge of the pond on a mowed trail that was as green as a spring lawn. I ascended Reflection Hill and noticed lots of green clover leaves mixed in with the grasses on the trail. I continued down the hill, past Frog Fen toward Brady Cemetery where I observed a few young, deep-green White Pine saplings. I entered the cemetery and paused at the top of the hill to look down at the neighbor’s farmland and see long rows of green Winter Wheat beginning to sprout. Exiting the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland, stepped off the trail and walked west to an old cement slab that was once the foundation for a barn. I was amazed to see that much of the slab was covered with thick green moss. Also, perched on a nearby tree were a couple of Slate-colored Juncos. This bird is a true harbinger of winter. I hiked along and paused at Grebe Pond where I once again saw some green Duckweed floating next to the north shore. As I passed the barn, I noticed some dark green Common Mallow plants hugging the ground. Walking along the west side of the Granary, I was surprised to see a small clump of Hoary Alyssum in full bloom. I passed the Classroom Building and finish the hike. Finally, the dog and I hopped in the van and headed for home.

When the trees their summer splendor


Change to raiment red and gold,

When the summer moon turns mellow,

And the nights are getting cold;

When the squirrels hide their acorns,

And the woodchucks disappear;

Then we know that it is autumn,

Loveliest season of the year.

Carol L. Riser