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