August 10

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. Instead, we hiked at the Emma Burnham Outdoor Center on Jackson Rd. in St. Louis, Michigan. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 59 degrees and no wind. Exiting the car, I was surprised to see a doe running full speed past us and disappearing into the woods. I proceeded south where I explored a 3-acre open field and spotted a mixed patch of Chicory, Wild Carrot and Red Clover. Also, I noticed lots of the invasive, Spotted Knapweed. Along the edge of the woods, I saw clusters of Cherry Galls on a white oak. This gall is caused by a tiny gall wasp. The larva remains in the gall after leaf-fall, emerging as an adult wasp in winter. Also, I noticed the bright red fruit of Baneberry. All parts of this plant are poisonous while the berries are the most toxic. However, accidental poisoning is not likely since the berries are extremely bitter. A healthy adult will experience poisoning from as few as six berries. Ingestion of the berries causes nausea, dizziness, increased pulse and severe gastrointestinal discomfort. Next, I observed the lavender blossoms of Purple Loosestrife. Entering the woods, I immediately spotted a healthy vine of Poison Ivy working its way up a tree trunk. I followed the trail through dense shade below a tall canopy of Beech, Maple and Oak where I heard a drumming woodpecker, a cawing crow and some honking Canada geese. Just off the trail, I noticed someone had carved letters and symbols into a Beech trunk. The path took me along the edge of a small vernal pond where I saw a patch of Water Parsnip. Also, a fallen log was covered with a cream-colored fungus. Continuing to explore the ground, I spotted some Christmas ferns. They get their name because some parts of the plant remain green throughout the year and are thus available for use in decorations at Christmas time. Next, I saw the withering leaf of a May Apple and a cluster of White Baneberries. Native Americans used the juice from the fruits of various baneberry species to poison arrows and used the root as an herbal remedy for menstrual problems. Arriving at a clearing, I gazed north to see a stand of Cottonwood trees and south to see a stand of spruce including Norway and Blue. I continued north on the path as it followed a somewhat hilly section of the forest where the ground was thick with Virginia Creeper. Near the end, the trail crossed over a small pond where lots of immature frogs were rippling the surface as they swam. Finally, we made it back to the car for our trip home.

I retreat to woods
A place to unwind
No cares or worries
I left those behind
In tune with nature
Breathing fresh air
I trod along
In a forest fair
I pause to look
Then proceed
I escape the world
I’m free indeed

D. DeGraaf