January 27

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, I was in Muskegon where they had two feet of snow on the ground. Sunday, at the Nature Area, the early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 21 degrees, no wind and a few inches of snow on the ground. On this hike, I planned to focus on the sounds of winter, both natural and man-made. I stood at the crest of the hill to view the winter landscape and heard a few birds at the feeders behind the Classroom Building. Descending the hill, I walked through Bobolink Meadow and turned around to see the sun rising over Mallard Marsh. I entered North Woods and saw some fresh Squirrel tracks. I walked in silence except for the sound of my boots hitting the snow-covered boardwalk. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I saw lots of mouse tracks and heard the drone of a distant plane. Entering South Woods, I noticed the Raccoon carcass was gone. I continued over the boardwalk and paused at the edge of Swanson Swamp to hear a few Chickadees. This wetland is named after John Swanson, who was a key figure in the establishment of the Nature Area, twenty years ago. As an employee of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, John facilitated the initial lease of this property for an outdoor learning center in 1993. He also oversaw the wetland restoration efforts during the early years of development. Next, I ventured out on the ice where I spotted a coyote den. Also, I saw the seed head of a Buttonbush shrub. Native Americans utilized this plant to treat urinary blockage, either stones or swollen prostate. They used a poultice of the roots for eye problems. A decoction of bark was used as an eye bath. The root and stem bark was used to treat fevers. They found relief from toothaches by chewing the bark. Next, I exited the woods and continued to Artist Overlook where I was surprised to see approximately 100 Mourning Doves flying in and out of Sora Swale while calling out in their high-pitched, tweeting song. Following south trail, I turned south at Frog Fen and arrived at Brady Cemetery. The cemetery is named after the Brady family who settled in this area back in the 1800’s. In 1876, Joseph Brady sold the 1.5-acre, cemetery land to Seville Township for $75.00. Joseph and Martha, their two sons, James and Samuel, with their wives, Helen and Mioma are buried here, along with several of their neighbors. Next, I entered Native Grassland and hiked north to quiet Grebe Pond. I continued north to the barn where I spotted a decomposed Opossum carcass on the ground. Arriving at the Classroom Building, I saw and heard several birds at the feeders including Gold and Purple Finches, Juncos, Snow Buntings and English Sparrows. Also, there were lots of bird tracks on the snow by the feeders. Finally, we paused once more in silence, got in the car and headed for home.

Old man winter joined my hike
Someone I know, someone I like
We trudge over ice like before
I enjoy his company even more
He warned me spring is far away
Air will be colder than it is today
I looked around. He let me know
Winter is more than fallen snow
Wind is strong. Days are short
A storm’s coming from his report
I see his tracks. I followed his lead
His words of wisdom I often heed

D. DeGraaf