August 25

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 62 degrees and no wind. I descended the hill, passed Mallard Marsh and hiked through Bobolink meadow where I spotted two deer loping west toward the woods. Also, I noticed a Milkweed Bug and a House Fly on the same Milkweed plant. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I looked down and could barely make out a small toad sitting on a log. Can you find it? I was amazed how this small amphibian has adapted to its environment. While observing the toad, I was surprised to see a Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar crawling on the same log. Walking along, I spotted the bright red berry clusters of Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Meanwhile, I heard the calls of several Sand hill Cranes coming from the north. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I noticed most of the leaves on a Basswood tree had turned brown and were beginning to fall off due to a fungal blight. Also, I saw that the Dogwood bushes were full of white berries. Continuing on the path, I spotted an edible Spiny Puffball. Entering South Woods, I walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I saw a few Jewelweed plants. Also, there were several Orange Spotted mushrooms that are known for their hallucinogenic properties. I exited the woods and headed toward Artist Overlook where I was surprised to see some Virginia creeper leaves had turned color already and the vines displayed their blue berries. Hiking around Sora Swale. I was surprised to see a single Wild Foxglove plant. Although all parts of the plant are toxic, it has a use in modern medicine for heart conditions, being the plant from which digitalin is extracted for treating heart disease. Digitalin increases the force of heart contractions and so helps in congestive heart failure. Next, I followed south trail to Frog Fen and turned south toward Brady Cemetery where I observed a flock of Starlings flying over the neighbor’s newly plowed field. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where I noticed how the warm season grasses were growing tall including Canadian Wild Rye. I stopped at Grebe Pond and saw a Great Blue Heron wading off the far shore. Also, dozens of Tree Swallows were swooping over the water to catch insects. Continuing north toward the barn, I observed some beautiful Bull Thistle blossoms. I passed the barn and came to the Classroom. Finally, we hopped in the van and headed for home.

Days of summer come and go

Cycles of nature continue to flow

Flowers of the field turn to seed

Deer of the woods grow and feed

Trees of the forest die and decay

Their wood turns to soil someday

Fuzzy caterpillar will soon be

A lovely butterfly soaring free

End of August is almost here

Rhythms of life are beating clear

D. DeGraaf

August 18

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, he stayed home while I was participated in a bird watching hike with three other community members. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 55 degrees and no wind. We began by standing on the west side of the barn training our binoculars on Grebe Pond where we spotted a dozen Green Herons wading among the cattails and flying from shore to shore sounding off with their shrieking call. These birds typically stand still on shore or in shallow water or perch upon branches and await prey. Sometimes they drop food, insects, or other small objects on the water's surface to attract fish, making them one of the few known tool-using species. This feeding method has led some to declare this bird as among the world's most intelligent. Also, we spotted Grebes, Mallards and Wood ducks swimming on the pond. We perked up our ears to hear the faint call of a Sora Rail hidden in the cattails. As we hiked south into Native Grassland, we observed several Tree Swallows perched on the electrical wires high above. Also, we noticed a Kingbird and a female Bobolink. Passing the cemetery, we were surprised to see two Sand hill cranes walking on the neighbor’s mowed wheat field to the south. We turned at Frog Fen and headed west where we paused to admire a Goldfinch perched on a Honeysuckle shrub. These birds are very active now as they swoop over the fields singing and looking for thistle seeds to feed their young. We followed south trail and stopped to observe an immature Baltimore oriole perched on top of a willow thicket. Arriving at Sora Swale, we scared up a Great Blue Heron that took off from the pond and headed west. Also, we heard and saw several immature Cedar Waxwings perched on the dead tree branches. Circling Sora Swale, we walked along the edge of South Woods where we saw and heard a few Catbirds, a Crested Flycatcher and a Warbling Vireo. Also, we heard the call of a Tufted Titmouse coming from South Woods. At Artist Overlook, we stopped to see a Song Sparrow perched in white sweet clover and a Chimney Swift flying overhead. Throughout the hike, we saw and heard many crows. Circling Succession Field, we followed the trail through a cool and shady North Woods where no birds were seen. After leaving the woods, we headed south to Willow Wallow where we saw some immature Redwing Blackbirds perched high in a dead tree. Heading east along the edge of the pond, we climbed up the west side of Reflection Hill where we gazed down at Greb Pond to see four Blue wing Teal swimming in the thick duckweed. Finally, we arrived back at the Classroom Building to bid farewell and head for home.

In robe of orange, and of black,


With mellow music in his throat,


Our fairest summer bird is back


From southern woods and fields remote.

Beneath the shading, glossy leaves


The sunset gold upon his breast--


The restless, little toiler weaves


His hanging wonder of a nest!

And, as I watch him, flashing there,


My fancy deems the oriole


A wand'ring blossom of the air,


Endowed with wings, and voice, and soul!

Andrew Downing

August 12

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was returning from Colorado and Remi was still at the kennel. So, we waited until Sunday to do our hike. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 60 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the northwest. I stood at the crest of the hill to inhale the cool summer air. Walking down the hill, I paused at Mallard Marsh to see some of the Queen Anne’s lace flowers were beginning to fold up. Proceeding through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed a beautiful Painted Lady butterfly resting on Bull Thistle. Also, I noticed the continued absence of Bobolinks as I assumed they had left for their arduous migration to South America. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south toward Willow Wallow and spotted a Curly Dock plant with its reddish-brown seeds. I passed the pond and entered Succession Field where I saw a Viceroy perched on some Indian hemp. Note the thin, black, horizontal line on the hind wings that distinguishes it from a Monarch. Also, I spotted a Red-veined darter dragonfly sunning itself. Hiking along the edge of North Woods, I was surprised to observe a few Purple Loosestrife plants. Since they are a rapidly growing invasive, I will need to kill them soon to prevent their spreading. I stopped at Artist Overlook and gazed far to the east toward the barn. Next, I followed the south trail past Sora Swale where I spotted some Heal-All flowers growing on the path. Over the centuries this plant offered a variety of benefits. In witchcraft, it was grown in gardens to drive away the devil. One group of Native Americans made tea from the root to drink before going hunting, supposedly sharpened their powers of observation. It was applied internally and externally as an antibiotic. Also, it was used to treat burns, bruises, sprains, cuts, liver disorders and hemorrhoids and as a mouthwash for gum problems. I arrived at Frog Fen and turned south toward Brady Cemetery where I could see some of the Wild Lettuce was going to seed. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland where I spotted lots of yellow False Sunflower. Also, I was pleased to see an abundance of warm season prairie grasses including Big Blue Stem and Little Blue stem. I headed north to Grebe Pond where I couldn’t help but remember awhile back the awesome sight of 13 adult Egrets perched in the willows on the west shore. These white, heron-like birds stood out in sharp contrast to the green vegetation. I assume they were gathering for their fall migration. I continued toward the barn where I noticed a Common Wood Nymph butterfly perched on a milkweed plant. Finally, I kept going past the barn and Classroom Building to the van where we hopped in and headed for home.

A comfortable place,

Peaceful and nice,

It looks beautifully placed,

Grandmother Earth just lying there

Like a soft green bed
With a sky blue comforter

Flowers and fresh smells

Making breathing and

Smelling a great pleasure

Reverend Ashira Goddard

August 5

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.. However, I was traveling to Estes Park, Colorado and Remi was back in Alma. So, Sunday, I planned to hike with family members on Bear Lake Nature Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. The half-mile trail circled Bear Lake, a small lake at 9475 ft. cradled in a rock basin fringed with spruce, fir and pine The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 58 degrees and no wind. I started out and immediately noticed some Pearly Everlasting. A poultice of the flowers or the whole plant can be applied to burns, sores and rheumatic joints. An infusion of the plant can be steamed and inhaled in the treatment of headaches. A cooled infusion of the roots and shoots has been used as a laxative. Continuing on the trail, I spotted some Rocky Mountain Goldenrod. Next, I stopped to see some Fireweed. I picked a leaf and tasted its fresh, lettuce-like flavor. Resuming my hike, I was surprised to see a baby Robin hopping around on a large rock. Also, nearby were Quaking Aspen trees. The 1900 fire opened this area to these sun-loving, smooth-barked trees, perhaps the best-known of Rocky Mountain trees. Next, I paused to notice some green lichens and orange lichens growing on some rocks. The orange coloration results when nitrates occur in the rock or when mammal and bird droppings are deposited on the rock. Moving along, I spotted some Smooth White Aster. Walking along, I came to a large dead pine tree and noticed the tunnel markings of the Mountain Pine Beetle on the trunk. This insect has caused extensive destruction of Lodgepole, Ponderosa and Scotch pine trees throughout the western United States. Continuing around the lake, I was pleased to see a California Tortoiseshell Butterfly perched on a yellow Arnica flower. Suddenly, I spotted a Red Squirrel, referred to as Chickaree scampering through the undergrowth. Also, along the trail were several large boulders of Gneiss- metamorphic rock with bands of light-colored and dark-colored minerals and Granite-pinkish igneous rocks speckled with dark minerals. Finally, I completed the circle and headed back to the car.

The plains ignore us,

but these mountains listen,

an audience of thousands

holding its breath

in each rock.  Climbing,

we pick our way

over the skulls of small talk.

On the prairies below us,

the grass leans this way and that

in discussion;

words fly away like corn shucks

over the fields.

Here, lost in a mountain's

attention, there's nothing to say.

Ted Kooser