December 29

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. It was nice to be back in familiar surroundings. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 23 degrees and a slight northerly wind blowing a few snow flurries. Pausing once again to gaze over the western landscape, I was filled with memories of another year gone by. I glanced to the north to notice the wind turbine and solar panel that were installed in January and used in the spring to teach the school children about clean energy. Descending the hill, I passed Mallard Marsh and walked through Bobolink Meadow where I recalled with joy the sights and sounds of Bobolinks as they returned to nest in June after a year absence. Meanwhile, a half dozen deer scampering north into the neighbor’s field and a dozen Mourning Doves flew silently overhead. I entered North Woods where the morning sun shone through the leafless trees. However, I was surprised to see a small Beech tree still had some dead leaves clinging to it. Exiting the woods, I glanced at the snow-covered vegetation and was reminded of the discovery in January of the button buck found lying dead just off the trail and the gradual decomposition of the carcass that was seen throughout the year. Circling Succession Field, I was reminded what a great job the Alma College students did in May cutting down lots of invasive Autumn Olive shrubs. I entered South Woods and noticed some Fox Squirrel tracks. I followed the trail next to Swanson Swamp and exited the woods. Next, I turned south, passed Artist Overlook and noticed a small tree with some of the bark scraped away. It looked like a buck rub. Some say these rubs are made primarily by bucks cleaning the dried velvet from their antlers. Others say they are made by bucks while mock fighting with a small tree, or that rubbing serves to strengthen the neck muscles in preparation for later fights with other bucks. Still others say they are visual and olfactory signposts that transmit territorial and breeding information to other bucks and does in the area. Next, I walked along the edge of ice-covered Sora Swale and followed the trail east to Frog Fen. There, I turned south again and headed toward Brady Cemetery where I remembered seeing the blackened ground after a grass fire in March. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland and recalled with pleasure of seeing the robust growth of prairie grasses and wildflowers during the summer and fall after a controlled burn in April. I walked north past Grebe Pond, passed the barn and noticed one of several new signs installed in August. Also, I noticed how nice the Classroom and Storage Building looked since the Alma College students painted it in May. Finally, we got in the car and made our final homeward trip for 2012.

Welcome winter to this special place
Much to observe, much to embrace
Snow has painted the ground white
Short is the day. Long is the night
Ice on the pond is solid at last
Sealing the water like the past
Ground is frozen. Snow will be deep
Creatures begin a long winter sleep
Some mammals found a retreat
In cozy shelters to conserve heat
Everyday throughout this year
Nature’s handiwork I did revere

D. DeGraaf