May 25

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 41 degrees and no wind. Exiting the car, I was greeted by the pleasing song of a Mourning Dove. At the crest of the hill, I gazed west at the landscape. I walked down the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh where I noticed the family of geese had only three goslings instead of the four they had last week. Redwing Max was busy chasing another male blackbird out of his territory. Mike was perched in a small tree north of the trail singing loudly while Mark was in is usual spot west of the pond. Entering Bobolink Meadow, Redwing Bob met me and began flying just above my head giving off a piercing call. This aggressive behavior is typical of males as they defend their nest of hatchlings. Nests are typically built of cattail stalks woven together to form a basket above water level. Three to five pale greenish-blue, black or purple streaked eggs are laid per clutch. I entered North Woods and headed west where I spotted lots of colorful Wild Geraniums. Also, I admired a large Bracket Fungus growing on a dead log next to the trail. Exiting the woods, I was surprised to see hundreds of small spider webs clinging to the dead vegetation of Succession Field glistening in the morning sunlight. Following the path around the field, I spotted the cotton-like seeds of a willow tree and the white blossoms of a Nannyberry tree. I entered South Woods and followed the trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I saw a few Mayapple blossoms. Exiting the woods, I proceeded to Willow Wallow where I stopped to observe Will as he flew from perch to perch within his territory. Next, I hiked east along the pond where I spotted a pair of geese with two rather large goslings swimming on the south side. Also, I stopped to hear a Grebe calling. I climbed Reflection Hill to look down on Grebe Pond where I recalled earlier in the week my third sighting of what I think was an American Bittern flying west over the water being chased by a Redwing Blackbird. Continuing south, I approached Frog Fen where Redwing Fred displayed similar aggressive behavior to Redwing Bob by flying just above my head giving off a loud piercing call. I kept going south toward Brady Cemetery where I noticed the Red Osier Dogwood shrubs were blossoming. I also saw a small Honeysuckle shrub with lovely pink blossoms. I passed the cemetery and continued north through Native Grassland to Grebe Pond where all the male Redwings were visible tending to in their respective territories. I hiked north toward the barn and was surprised to see a pair of swans again on the pond as they have been visible several times in the last week or so. Finally, we passed the Barn, passed Classroom and returned to the car for our trip home.

In the chill of morning
I walk an earthen trail
Over a hill of green
Through a verdant dale
Spring is in the air
With pleasure I inhale
Nature tells her story
I enjoy her weekly tales
I enter a favorite forest
Where beauty prevails

D. DeGraaf

May 18

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The mid-day weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 63 degrees and a slight southeasterly breeze. At the crest of the hill, I looked over a mid-May landscape. I descended the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh where Max was perched in his usual willow tree that had leafed out which made it harder to spot him. The other male Redwings were not around. Also, I was pleased to see a nesting pair of geese and four fuzzy goslings on the pond. Hiking through Bobolink Meadow, I saw my first Cabbage Butterfly of the season. At the entrance to North Woods, I spotted several blossoms of Wild Strawberry on the ground. I entered the woods and noticed a Poison Ivy vine crawling up a tree as well as a pretty Yellow Violet blossom. Following the trail west, I looked to my right and saw a few clusters of lovely Blue Phlox. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field and hiked along the western boundary where I noticed most of the new leaves of a Basswood tree were full of holes due to the Leaf miner beetle. Turning east, I walked out into the meadow to admire the blossoms of a small cherry tree. I entered South Woods and was surprised to see some bright orange Rust Fungus growing on a Mayapple leaf. Walking along the edge of Swanson Swamp, I observed a few Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants. Exiting the woods, I proceeded east where I observed both a male and female Baltimore oriole perched high in the same Aspen tree. I turned south and arrived at Artist Overlook to look down on Sora Swale. Continuing south, I spotted the lovely blossoms of Choke Cherry. I followed the trail east to Frog Fen where I could not find Fred. Next, I turned south and made it to Brady Cemetery. I entered the cemetery and immediately noticed a pile of gray feathers from a Mourning Dove that had been eaten. I climbed the hill to the south end of the cemetery to smell the wonderful fragrance of both White and Purple Lilac blossoms. At the base of an old fence, I spotted a patch of Wormseed Mustard plants. Gazing south, I noticed our neighbor’s field had been plowed in preparation for this year’s crop. Leaving the cemetery, I walked north through Native Grassland to Grebe Pond and paused to see that Gus and Gabe were flying from cattail to cattail patrolling their territories. Continuing toward the barn, I saw both Gil and Gordy protecting their nesting areas. Also, I recalled earlier in the week getting a rare glimpse of an American Bittern flying west over the pond. Just before the barn, I spotted a Painted Turtle sunning itself among the cattails. Arriving at the Classroom, I paused to notice the Granary and thought about how it had changed since I first saw it in 1993. Then I looked over to the Storage Building and remembered what it looked like 20 years ago. Finally, we hopped in the car and left for home.

Questions arise on a spring day?
Who will win, predator or prey?
Will a coyote get a rabbit to eat?
Or will it run in full retreat?
Will the swallow snatch a fly?
Or will it escape to the sky?
Will the snake catch a frog?
Or will it leap over the log?
Eat or be eaten, try to survive
Needed for nature to thrive.

D. DeGraaf

May 11

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 45 degrees and a slight breeze from the southwest. At the crest of the hill, I stopped to admire the landscape as well as our new weather station. Descending the hill, I paused at Mallard Marsh to check on the Redwings. Max, Mark, Mike and Bob were all visible flying in and out of the cattails along with six females. Passing through Bobolink meadow, I looked in vain for any signs of Bobolinks since this is the time they should return from their winter migration. Off the trail, I saw patches of Wild Mustard. At the entrance to North Woods, I was surprised by the abundance of Horsetail compared to a year ago. Following the path through the woods, I spotted lots of Wood violets. Near the exit to the woods, I was surprised to see a deer head with horns just off the trail. Also, high in a tree overhead, I enjoyed the sight and south of a male Baltimore oriole. I exited the woods and circled Succession Field where I spotted a nest of Tent Caterpillars in a small cherry tree. Looking down, the path was littered with catkins of white birch. Entering South Woods, I noticed a patch of Mayapple plants including the double stem type with a flower bud. Further along, the trail was being shaded with new leaves of Witch Hazel. Exiting the woods, I spotted an apple tree with white blossoms. Next, I followed the trail to Willow Wallow where I was greeted by the shrilling call of Will as he made his presence known. I walked east along the edge of the pond and climbed up Reflection Hill to look down on Grebe Pond where I saw a dozen tree swallows swooping to catch insects off the water surface. Heading south, I descended the hill to Frog Fen where Fred was perched in his usual spot. Also, I was pleased to hear and see a Yellow Warbler and suspected that it is one of a nesting pair. Continuing south, I passed the cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where young Wild Carrot plants were beginning to show themselves. I continued to Grebe Pond where the male Redwings were busy singing and moving among the cattails. Approaching the barn, I paused to see that beetles and beetle larvae were feeding on the turkey carcass. I passed the barn and came to the classroom where I reminisced about the history of this building. Records show it was built in 1983 by Richard Recker as a pig-farrowing barn. Back in 1993 when we acquired the property, it had been abandoned for several years and was in bad shape. It stayed that way until 2003 when it was gutted and renovated both inside and out. Today it remains our headquarters and most used building. Next, I circled around the back of the barn to look at the lovely Ground Ivy. Proceeding north, I checked on the deer carcass. Finally we got back to the car for our journey home.

Hiking a muddy trail
A springtime stroll
I find peace of mind
It’s well with my soul
In touch with nature
My spirits are high
For creatures of woods
For birds of the sky
Colorful forest flowers
Sprouting from earth
I’m filled with awe
In this season of birth

D. DeGraaf

May 4

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 59 degrees and a gentle breeze from the south. Exiting the car, I was greeted by a few Barn Swallows swooping overhead. At the crest of the hill, I paused and gazed west at a greening landscape. I descended the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh where both male and female Redwings were flying in and out of the dead cattails. Also, I noticed a few females were carrying grass in their beaks for nest building. I walked through Bobolink Meadow and entered North Woods where I spotted lots of Spring Beauty blossoms beginning to open up. At the boardwalk, I spotted several Purple Cress blossoms. Further along, I noticed a bright red Crimson Cup Fungus growing near the trail as well as a patch of green Mayapple plants. Before exiting the woods, I got off the trail and hiked further west where I was pleased to see a Trillium blossom as well as 5 other plants growing in a patch of Wild Leeks. Leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where I observed the white blossoms on a Gray Dogwood tree. I entered South Woods and walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp. After scanning the forest floor, I noticed pieces of white birch bark scattered about. This bark contains a natural wax base that makes it impermeable to water and resistant to decomposition. So even when the core wood of the tree has decayed, the bark remains. Exiting the woods, I came to Artist Overlook where I gazed at Sora Swale and recalled earlier in the week spotting a rare Blanding Turtle sunning itself on a log. Following south trail, I arrived at Frog Fen where Fred was perched in his usual spot along with a female Redwing. I turned south, passed Brady Cemetery and hike north through Native Grassland to Grebe Pond where I spotted a couple of Painted Turtles sitting on a large tree branch sticking out of the water. I followed the edge of the pond and searched unsuccessfully for the two newly born fawns that were spotted yesterday by the school children. Approaching the barn, I noticed that the turkey carcass was continuing to be worked on by scavengers. Looking up near the top of a nearby Cottonwood tree, I saw a Brown Thrasher and enjoyed its singing. Near the barn, I was pleased to see my first new cattail shoot as we prepare for next week’s field trip activity. I turned at the barn and walked over to the Observation Platform to check out our new webcam that will give everyone a year round view of Grebe Pond. Passing the Classroom Building, I walked down the driveway to the deer carcass where I could see lots of small flies perched on the hair as the decay process continued. Finally, we made it back to the car and headed for home.

From the dock, I scan the pond
I gaze up close. I gaze beyond
Cattails circle this scenic place
Mallard swims along with grace
Swallow swoops close to me
Redwing sits in a nearby tree
Turtle suns on a floating log
Heron fishes for a tasty frog
Head of a muskrat is easily seen
All around is the color green
Duckweed floats close to shore
I like this place, more and more

D. DeGraaf