June 29

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 64 degrees and a light northerly breeze. Today, I first planned to repeat the Reflection Hill activity where I hike the circular trail and pause as I face each direction to take in sights, sounds and scents. Passing the classroom, I followed the trail toward the hill where I noticed clusters of small green fruit beginning to form on Wild Grape vines. Climbing the hill, I was pleased to view newly formed Milkweed blossoms and take in their sweet aroma. Looking north, Mallard Marsh was totally hidden by lush cattail growth. Several Redwings including males, females and fledglings were seen flying around. Continuing counterclockwise on the trail, I spotted a Ctenucha Moth resting on a milkweed leaf. Also, I saw that the Timothy grass seed heads were flowering. I paused and gazed west at Artist Overlook and South Woods. Along the trail’s edge were a few Yarrow plants with their white blossoms and fragrant leaves. Following the path, I spotted a few yellow blossoms of both Common Buttercup and Rough-fruited Cinquefoil. I paused again, faced south and looked down at Frog Fen where I heard the shrieking call of a Green Heron. Proceeding around the hilltop, I looked east at a weed-covered Grebe Pond where I saw a family of diving Grebes, three families of Canada Geese with goslings and a pair of Mallards. I sat on a bench and tried to imagine what this land looked like back in 1856 when it was first purchased from the federal government by Mr. and Mrs. Henry of Eaton County, Michigan. A few years latter, it was purchased by Joseph and Martha Brady from Ohio. They raised seven children on a farm ½ mile east of the nature area property on Adams Road. On the northeast corner of Adams and Rich Roads was the Brady School. Two of Joseph’s sons, James Grey Brady, age 26 and Samuel Brady, age 16, marched by foot to serve in the Civil War. Both soldiers returned to this area to farm and raise their families. Next, I descended the hill south toward Brady Cemetery and stopped at Frog Fen where Fred was flying to and from his perch, singing loudly along with several other Redwings. Passing the cemetery, I turned north and entered Native Grassland where I spotted lots of Brome grass hanging over the trail. Several clusters of yellow False Sunflower blossoms were sticking up. I arrived at the south end of Grebe Pond where I noticed that the goslings of a geese family had grown almost as large as their parents. Following the trail around the pond, I was pleased to see a few blossoms of Butter-and-Eggs. Also, I saw and heard Gil while he perched in a small tree. Finally, the dog and I passed the barn and got in the car for our journey home.

What’s it like to be one of them?
Pink blossoms on a green stem
My aroma is sweet as I grow
This week my colors I’ll show
I sway with summer breezes
In my pedals, nectar pleases
Many Monarchs will be found
Bugs and beetles crawl around
I wish to be, if only for an hour
Mother nature’s Milkweed flower

D. DeGraaf