May 19

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The midday weather was sunny with a temperature of 78 degrees and a gentle west wind. When I arrived at the crest of the hill, I gazed west at the lush landscape. I sauntered down to Mallard Marsh where I paused to see a goose, a gander and two goslings swimming quietly. I looked down and spotted a Leopard Frog in the shallows. Hiking through Bobolink Meadow, I observed a male Redwing Blackbird hovering above me as he defended his nesting area with loud calls. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south and headed toward Willow Wallow where I spotted some tiny Common Chickweed flowers hidden in the grassy path. Passing the pond, I began circling Succession Field. I stopped by to look at the deer remains partially hidden by tall grass. Continuing around the field, I noticed several Pearl Crescent Butterflies pollinating white clover blossoms on the trail. Also, I spotted a beautiful Indigo Bunting moving through the trees. Suddenly, a turkey hen came out of the tall grass near the trail and noisily few off. Next, I turned north back toward Willow Wallow and noticed lots of Rough-fruited Cinquefoil growing next to the trail. Also, I began to see young Milkweed plants showing up. I walked east along the edge of the pond that was covered with green algae. Next, I came upon some thorny Blackberry bushes that were flowering. Ascending Reflection Hill, I stopped to look west at Artist Overlook. I walked south down the hill past Frog Fen and continued toward Brady Cemetery where I heard a snort and looked up to see a deer running south toward the neighbor’s wheat field. Passing the cemetery, I walked into Native Grassland where I spotted lots of Common Fleabane. In the old days folks dried and burned this plant, letting the smoke fill their homes. It was thought the fumes from the smoldering leaves and stems would act as a fumigant and repellant—killing, or at least driving out any fleas in the dwelling, and preventing their return for some time afterwards. Unfortunately, modern scientific tests show absolutely no effects on contemporary fleas. I headed north and paused again to observe Grebe Pond where no waterfowl were seen. I continued north past the Classroom Building and came to the van. Finally, it was time to hit the road for home.

To the 5th month

For which the flowers bloom

Blue skies open

And mornings dew!

The birds sing,

And fly to me and you!

Where fields are green

With grass, so sweet!

Where you can run

And forever leap!

To the 5th month

Where new joys bring

Where the sun stays longer

And the clouds never blink.

Dustin A. Grimes