February 9

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was sunny with a frigid temperature of 9 degrees below zero and no wind. Since the parking lot was not plowed after yesterday’s 10-inch snowfall, I drove to the end of Adams road and parked by Brady Cemetery. I followed a snowmobile track north through Native Grassland where the vegetation sparkled with a thick layer of hoarfrost. Continuing along the path, I thought of how important this snow cover is to certain critters. I could imagine small mice and voles scurrying about through a network of tunnels just under the snow. Without this protection, they would be easily visible to predators. One tunnel may lead to a meal of grasses or seeds, or the bark of woody plants. Another passageway may lead to a cozy nest. These animals don't have the fur or fat required to keep their bodies insulated. The snow provides that insulation. Ground temperature under a blanket of snow stays at about 32 degrees even if the air temperature is well below freezing. I continued along the edge of Grebe Pond toward the barn. Passing the barn, Remi and I trudged through two-foot snowdrifts to the Classroom Building where I filled the feeders, much to the delight of hungry birds. Next, I proceeded to the crest of the hill and gazed west at the snowy white landscape. I descended the hill and glanced at Mallard Marsh as I hiked through Bobolink Meadow. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south and hiked to Willow Wallow and thought about the history of this wetland. Back in 1995 as part of the Fish & Wildlife Service wetland restoration efforts, this area was excavated while some tiles were broken. A long, deep trench was formed as dirt was pushed up to form the berm on which the path is now located. A pond formed almost immediately but some water continued to seep away from the west end. After several years, the seepage naturally stopped and the pond expanded into the large wetland that is seen today. Next, I circled Succession Field where I noticed some fresh rabbit and deer tracks. Some tracks may tell a story of creatures walking, running or hopping to find food or escape predation. They may tell if the creature was alone and vulnerable or in the security of a group. Other tracks may tell a of a human hiking alone or with a dog to enjoy nature in the winter. Entering South Woods, I hiked next to Swanson Swamp and thought about another resident creature that depends on snow for its survival. It is the rarely seen Least Weasel whose fur turns white in the winter to blend in and avoid predation. I exited the woods, headed east and then turned south past Sora Swale where I spotted an Eastern Bluebird perched in a tree warming itself in the morning sun. Finally, I followed the south trail back to the cemetery, jumped in the car and headed for home.

Faithful companion who hikes with me
Little white dog named Remi
Sometimes in front, sometimes behind
As long as I see him, I really don’t mind
Sometimes he’ll walk. Sometimes run
Along with me, he’s having fun
He’s there in winter, there in fall
He always returns whenever I call
His smell is acute. Sniffs everything
Ears perk up when the birds sing
My four-legged friend will stare
To see what’s stirring over there
He frolics in snow with such glee
Little white dog named Remi

D. DeGraaf