September 23

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, we were returning from a trip and had to wait until Sunday. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 39 degrees and a slight wind from the northwest. I paused to commemorate the start of the fall season and faced east to welcome the sun as yesterday it reached the autumnal equinox and began to warm up the southern hemisphere. Next, I turned, faced west to view the landscape and then walked down the hill to Mallard Marsh where I noticed that many of the brown cattail seed heads had burst open to reveal the fluffy white seeds. Native Americans used these seeds to start fires, fill blankets as well as stuff pillows and diapers. I continued through Bobolink Meadow and approached the entrance to North Woods where I noticed a maple tree with leaves with black spots. This condition is known as tar spot, a disease caused by a fungus that infects maple as well as box elder. This disease is usually a cosmetic problem and does not affect the long-term health of the tree. Heavy infections can cause premature leaf drop. Next, I turned south, walked by Willow Wallow and began circling Succession Field where I saw an unusual growth on an oak leaf called a Woolly Oak Leaf Gall. This abnormal plant tissue is due to the feeding of the larvae of cynipid wasps. Even though they are wasps, they do not sting or pose any danger to humans. In fact, these wasps are so small they are not likely to be noticed, as they resemble gnats. Hiking along the trail on the far western boundary, I spotted an fuzzy caterpillar eating a leaf. Next, I paused at Artist Overlook where I heard a Wood Duck in Sora Swale. Following the south trail, I observed as least 100 Canada Geese flying in several formations from east to west. I came to Frog Fen, turned north and began my climb up Reflection Hill where I spotted some Wild Grape leaves with an odd looking growth called a Tumid Gall. Larvae of a small fly known as the grape tumid gall maker cause grape tumid galls, also called grape tomato galls. Also, I spotted a few Wild Raspberries that had not yet been eaten by the birds. Continuing to the top of the hill, I stopped to gaze at a quiet Grebe Pond. I descended the hill and walked toward the Classroom Building where I noticed some of the willow trees had unusual branch development called Willow Witches’ Broom. A number of stresses, both biological and environmental, can lead to the formation of brooms. Organisms such as fungi, mites and aphids can cause abnormal growth when they attack a host tree. Environmental stresses that injure the growing points of branches can also trigger the formation of brooms. Finally, we passed the classroom, came to the van, got in and headed for home.

Fall comes once again.


Frost begins creeping over


like icy shadows.



Leaves shed cool green gowns


in exchange for warm garments.


Red, orange, yellow.



Night lengthens itself.


The sun weakens, cowering


in its submission.



My mind relaxes.


Soft breezes caress my cheeks.


Fall is here, at last.


Judith Pordon.