November 4

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was out-of-town and Remi stayed at a kennel. So, we went on Sunday instead. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 31 degrees and no wind. Since deciding to reverse my course, I passed the Classroom Building, stood next to the barn and gazed out at Grebe Pond where a Great Blue Heron took off silently and gracefully and flew south. I hiked south through Native Grassland and climbed the hill into Brady Cemetery where I spotted some orange lichens growing on a gravestone. Lichens are organisms consisting of a fungus and an alga growing together in a mutually beneficial, symbiotic, relationship. The fungus obtains water and minerals from the air and the material it is growing on. The alga provides carbohydrates and vitamins. Lichens grow in places that are too harsh or limited for other organisms. They are pioneer species on bare rock, cleared soil, dead wood and living bark. I left the cemetery, followed the trail to Frog Fen and turned west onto south trail where I noticed some more colorful lichens on the trunk of a Box Elder tree. Next, I paused on the east side of Sora Swale to examine the pond. Continuing on the trail, I passed Artist Overlook and turned west along Succession Field. I entered South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I noticed some thick blue-green lichens growing at the base of a birch tree. Although lichens grow on tree bark, they are not parasitic and do not harm trees. Lacking roots, stems and leaves, lichens can grow almost anywhere, but rely on nutrients they accumulate from the air. Thus, they are uniquely sensitive to air pollution, making them valuable as early warning indicators of reduced air quality. Exiting the woods, I continued around Succession Field and entered North Woods where I observed some unusual red lichens. Some lichens are useful as a source of natural dyes. Pigments of some of them, especially the orange, red, and brown ones, can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers. Other chemicals extracted from lichens include litmus, which was a commonly used acid-base indicator prior to the invention of the pH meter. I exited the woods and immediately spotted some “British soldier” lichens with their red caps growing on a decaying stump. It has been estimated that 50% of all lichen species have antibiotic properties. Many lichen extracts have been effective in the treatment of boils, scarlet fever, and pneumonia. I followed the trail through Bobolink Meadow where I came within 10 feet of a small deer before it scampered away. Passing Mallard Marsh, I climbed up the hill past the Storage Building to the van and took off for home.

Crisp leaves scurry,crunch underfoot,


trees almost bare,but for a few,


the wind carries a chill with it now,


turning naked hands blue.


swollen seeds thud one by one,


sycamore wings glide on the air,


gusts rid the final “hangers on”


and the ground fills with natures fare,


a feast,a welcome larder,


for icy,baron days,to come,


sustinance,a gift of life,


until the warming spring sun

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