September 15

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 45 degrees and no wind. I stood on the crest of the hill and scanned the late summer landscape to the west. Descending the hill, I passed Mallard Marsh and walked slowly through Bobolink Meadow where I saw lots of Heath Aster. In Latin, aster means star, the name also used by the Greeks for this flower. The "star-flower" was believed to be sacred to the gods and so wreaths of asters were placed on their altars. Aster leaves were burned to frighten away serpents in medieval Europe and roots were crushed and fed to bees in poor health. Although the early English name was "starwort," later the flower was named "Michaelmas Daisy" as it blooms around St. Michaelmas Day in September. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I spotted some colorful Jack-O-Lantern fungi growing next to a dead stump. Crossing over the boardwalk, I spotted several Beech Drops. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field and entered South Woods where I followed the trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp. I exited the woods and headed east where I saw some Flat-top Aster and Small-flower Aster. Next, I turned north and went toward Willow Wallow where I spotted New England Aster and Sky blue Aster. I walked past the pond and began to climb Reflection Hill where I was surprised to find a patch of Canadian Thistle in full flower this late in the season. I looked up to see a solitary crow perched high in a dead Ash tree calling out. At the top of the hill, I noticed a Honeysuckle shrub displaying unusual leaf growth referred to as Witches’ Broom. An aphid feeds on the plant causing leaflets to distort and fold up. The folded leaflets protect the aphids from hard rains, heavy winds, predaceous insects and contact insecticides. Numerous buds along a branch grow simultaneously, giving a bushy or broom-like appearance. Next, I got off the path and wandered east down the hill to find a Crab Apple tree with bright red fruit. I picked an apple and took a bite to savor the very tart taste. I returned to the trail and descended the hill south toward Frog Fen where I found some Rough Stink Bugs on willow leaves. I also spotted a grasshopper feeding on a wild grape leaf. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland and headed north to view a vacant Grebe Pond. Hiking along the edge of the pond, I made it to the barn where I spotted some Lamb’s quarter. The leaves and stems of this plant are edible so I picked off a leaf and ate it. It had a flavor like spinach or chard with an earthy, mineral rich taste. Finally, I passed the Classroom Building and came to the van as we ended another enjoyable hike.

When despair for the world grows in me


and I wake in the night at the least sound


in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,


I go and lie down where the wood drake


rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.


I come into the peace of wild things


who do not tax their lives with forethought


of grief. I come into the presence of still water.


And I feel above me the day-blind stars


waiting with their light. For a time


I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry