October 27

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 34 degrees and no wind. Descending the hill, I had to sidestep a few Muskrat holes on the berm next to Mallard Marsh. I walked through Bobolink Meadow and came to the entrance of North Woods where I scared up five deer. Entering the woods, I noticed lots of American Beech trees with their smooth, gray bark and distinctive leaves. The harvested timber from this tree is used for rough lumber, flooring, plywood, and railroad ties. Beech wood is also used to make tool handles, baskets, veneer, and novelty items. The soft, reddish tinge of the wood makes it desirable for furniture. Also, I spotted a few leaves remaining on a Chinquapin Oak tree. I exited the woods and followed the trail to the far west side of Succession Field where I saw a few leaves left on a Red Oak tree. Native Americans used Red Oak bark for dysentery and chewed it to treat mouth sores; an infusion was taken to treat asthma. The wood was also used to make baskets, cooking tools and building materials. Colonists used Red Oak for firewood and to make woven chair bottoms and cooking tools. Leaves were used to wrap dough for bread making. Further along, I saw a few leaves still clinging to a large Pin Oak tree and a small White Oak tree. Native Americans boiled White Oak tree bark and drank the resulting liquid to curb diarrhea and to relieve the effects of bleeding hemorrhoids. White oak tree products helped induce vomiting, reduce fevers and served as antiseptics. I kept going and entered South Woods where I observed the dark scaly bark of a Black Cherry tree and the muscle-like bark of a Muscle Wood tree. Exiting the woods, I came to Artist Overlook where I was amazed a few days ago to see approximately a hundred ducks of unknown species erupting from Sora Swale. Next, I followed south trail where I noticed all the white berries were gone from a Gray Dogwood tree and all that remained were tiny red twigs. Further along, I saw a small Weeping Willow tree with a few leaves left on it. Some Native American tribes would lay willow limbs in the marriage beds of newly married couples in hopes that they would help ensure immediate fertility. They also made gifts from both the limbs and the bark of willows and presented them to brides on their wedding day as a symbol of their blessing upon the union. Continuing on south trail, I turned north at Frog Fen and climbed up Reflection Hill to gaze down on Grebe Pond where I spotted lots of swimming geese. Descending the hill, I crossed the boardwalk and noticed most leaves on a Black Willow tree were turning yellow. Finally, we passed the Classroom Building, came to the van and left for home.

October winds blow even stronger

Days are shorter. Nights are longer

Clouds are thick. Air is cold

Seasons are changing. Truth be told

North Woods is quite a sight

Displays of color in morning light

I look to trees above my head

Leaves of orange, yellow and red

Oak, maple, elm and beech

Colorful leaves out of reach

I look to the ground below my feet

Carpet of color is almost complete

A nature hike in the autumn chill

Sparkling frost covers the hill

I look all around this land

The fall vista is really grand

D. DeGraaf

October 20

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was drizzly with a temperature of 44 degrees and a slight breeze out of the west. Before getting started, I paused at the crest of the hill and gazed west at the ever-changing landscape. I descended the hill and was surprised to see and hear a few Redwing Blackbirds this time of year. Since our resident redwings have long since migrated, I suspect these are birds traveling from northern Michigan on their southerly migration. Continuing through Bobolink meadow, I could see that most of the Goldenrod flowers had gone to seed. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I saw the distinctive shredded bark of a Hop Hornbeam tree. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I noticed some Raspberry bushes with their colorful red leaves. I entered South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I spotted a few Prickly Ash trees. In order to get rid of toothaches, Native Americans chewed the bark of this tree. Many of them even crushed the bark and pasted it on their gums for relief. A poultice prepared with this bark blended with bear grease was used to treat external pains. An infusion obtained by boiling the bark was used to treat a wide range of ailments including gonorrhea, sore throat as well as rheumatism. Exiting the woods, I turned east and walked a short distance where I observed the still-green leaves of an Apple tree. Next, I turned north and hiked along the edge of Willow Wallow where I spotted nine noisy, male Mallards taking off toward the south, banking over Artist Overlook and heading west. Climbing up Reflection Hill, I looked down on Grebe Pond where I saw about three dozen geese resting from their fall migration. Also, I noticed the colorful, dense willow thicket to the south. I descended the hill, passed Frog Fen and Brady Cemetery before entering Native Grassland. Heading north, I could see the dark, bristly seed heads of dead Purple Coneflower. Also, I spotted a few migratory White-crowned Sparrows feeding on Goldenrod seeds. I followed the trail north around Grebe Pond and headed toward the barn where I spotted a few small Cottonwood trees. The Hopi, Pueblo and Navaho Indians made use of cottonwood branches in creating their prayer sticks. An individual’s prayer stick may even follow one to the grave. Cottonwood was also chosen as the sacred center pole in the well-known Sun Dance ceremony of the Plains Indians. At the barn, I turned and ventured to the dock of Grebe Pond where I recalled the excitement this week of school children catching and investigating pond critters. Next, I walked around to the east side of the barn to see a Red Mulberry tree. Choctaw Indian women spun thread from the fibrous bark of young trees and wove cloaks for themselves. Finally, we arrived at the van and took off for home.

I entered the woods and paused


In autumn trees the poets of October


The opaque fire of fallen leaf


Emeralds bled of blues to pale sulfur


Now dance with mizzle patter


And taunt the gaunt and tease the bare


Too helpless to resist

On cameos of burnished gold


And treetops yellowed by September


Cottonwoods like flowers fade


Deep furrows cut by scarlet plows


The mustangs of a setting sun


Before evening wears her velvet shawl


In quest of winter’s rest

My eyes harvest all the beauty


In the warmth of sun and nip of wind


And dewdrops on persimmons


A sodden moth with wings outspread


Stuck flat on orangey-red


Joins lifeless colors on the ground 


Reminders of the dead

Ed Keenan

October 13

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was cloudy, a steady rain with a temperature of 37 degrees and no wind. Descending the hill, I hiked past Mallard Marsh through Bobolink Meadow where I noticed a small Chokecherry tree north off the trail that still had a few green leaves. I entered North Woods and paused on the boardwalk to see a Slippery Elm tree and feel its “sandpapery” leaves. Native Americans used Slippery Elm in healing salves for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation. It was also taken orally to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach problems. It contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. It coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. Continuing west along the trail, I looked closely at the colorful leaf litter. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field and entered South Woods where I walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp and stopped to pick a small green apple from an American Crabapple tree. I took a bite and even though it tasted very sour, it does make excellent jam due to its high pectin and acid content. Following the trail, I noticed a Shagbark Hickory tree. Native Americans used all parts of the tree and held it in high esteem. If a mother’s milk was not available, babies were fed hickory nut milk mixed with dried bear or deer meat. Hickory milk, made by boiling the crushed nuts, was an important item in the adult diet as well. Oil pressed from the nuts was used for cooking. Hunting bows were made from the wood and stone axe heads were bound to their handles by flexible, young hickory twigs. Next, I spotted some leaves of a Mockernut Hickory tree. Exiting the woods, I continued to Artist Overlook where I spotted a few green Pin Cherry leaves. Following the south trail, I observed four deer dart off from Sora Swale. At Frog Fen, I turned south toward Brady Cemetery where I was startled by a rooster pheasant that took off right next to the trail and headed north. At the entrance to Brady Cemetery, I noticed the Staghorn sumac leaves had turned a brilliant red. Entering Native Grassland, I saw the dried seed heads of Bergamot. I paused at Grebe Pond where nothing was stirring. Heading north toward the barn, I was amazed by the abundance of white aster blossoms. Next, I passed the barn and walked around to the west side of the Classroom to admire the Black Locust tree. Native Americans chewed the root bark of this tree to induce vomiting and to reduce toothaches. All parts of the tree are considered toxic, although beekeepers disagree about the honey's toxicity. Some deem it the best of honeys. Finally, we got in the van to dry off and took off for home.

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

George Cooper

October 6

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 43 degrees and a stiff breeze out of the northwest. I descended the hill to the west, hiked past Mallard Marsh through Bobolink Meadow where the Milkweed pods were bursting open to expose the silky, white seeds. Also, I wondered how our Bobolinks were doing on their lengthy migration to Argentina. Entered North Woods , I noticed the Poison Ivy leaves were changing colors. Continuing west, I recalled my surprise earlier in the week to see a young, spotted fawn lying next to the trail well beyond the breeding season. It appeared thin and weak and I didn’t think it would survive the night. However, the next day it was gone, hopefully back with its mother. Exiting the woods, I gazed south across Succession Field and saw how the birch trees on the edge of South Woods had turned yellow. I circled the field where I noticed leaves of Silky Dogwood shrub remained green. Entering South Woods, I walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I noticed some of the Witch Hazel trees were displaying their dainty yellow flowers. Sometimes called Winter Bloom, this plant was used by Native Americans to cure skin irritations and lung problems, and it is still cultivated today to produce a skin toner. Exiting the woods, I continued to Artist Overlook where I looked east and noticed patches of Gray Dogwood displaying their fall colors. I followed south trail where I spotted some scarlet red Virginia creeper leaves. At Frog Fen, I turned south toward Brady Cemetery where I noticed how the leaves of Red Osier Dogwood shrubs had turned a burgundy red color. I entered the cemetery and noticed the White Pine trees were shedding their yellow needles. I passed the gravestones to view the hidden container behind the huge Red Maple in the southeast corner that I had found several weeks ago while geocaching. I left the cemetery, walked through Native Grassland and paused at Grebe Pond where I saw three Mallards fly off. Heading north, I came to the barn and spotted a freshly killed Deer Mouse by the west entrance. Next, I walked to the north side where I noticed a Black Walnut tree with lots of husks hanging and on the ground. Walnut husks can be chewed for an upset stomach. When used in skin care or dental products, fine bits of husk offer gentle abrasive properties for toothpaste products and facial scrubs. I opened one of the husks to see some small white maggots called Walnut husk maggots. After feeding on the husk for 3 to 5 weeks, mature maggots burrow several inches into the soil to pupate. Most emerge as adult flies the following summer, but some remain in the soil for 2 or more years. Finally, we arrived back at the van and took off for home.

October days! How nature shouts,

so many ways


With bundled sheaves and rustling leaves,

in splendid blaze.


O, what sights! What nippy nights,


harbingers of change soon


To come, with frosty bites,


shivery delights, and harvest moon.



Winter will march on! A howling, blustery,


mountain king,


Scattering furry ones, scampering,

gathering quondam glean.



Pond and lake with icy sheen-


unlikely resting place,

For airborne tenacities and dancing


dervish lacy flakes.

Carolyn Head