November 2

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The mid morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 41 degrees and a slight breeze out of the north. Today, I would focus on the ground beneath my feet as I would look on the trail for natural objects that indicated the season, surrounding vegetation and habitats. At the crest of the hill, I gazed west to see the meandering trail before me. I walked down the hill to Mallard Marsh where I easily recognized a dead cattail leaf and a dead stem of Reed Canary grass on the green grassy trail. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I was surprised to see a doe had stopped to look at me before she leaped off to join a buck. On the ground near the edge of the path, I spotted a thistle rosette and a decomposing milkweed pod with some of its silky white seeds. Approaching North Woods, I was not surprised to see the path covered with Silver Maple leaves since there was a stand of these trees near the entrance. I entered North Woods and headed west on the trail that was blanketed with a thick layer of Maple, Elm, Aspen and Beech leaves. I left the woods and circled Succession Field where I spotted one of several dead Goldenrod plants that had fallen over onto the trail. Leaves of Red Oak covered much of the far west trail. Turning east, I hiked through a stand of White Birch that had deposited most of its leaves on the trail. Entering South Woods, I followed the trail under a large White Oak tree that had shed most of its leaves. I walked along the edge of Swanson Swamp and came to the exit of the woods where I spotted a few haws on the trail near a stand of Hawthorne trees. The trail led past Artist Overlook along the edge of Sora Swale where a Bur oak leaf, a Swamp White Oak leaf and a Big Tooth Aspen leaf on the trail were clues that these trees were nearby. Also, small mounds of disturbed soil were signs of a burrowing Ground Mole. Following the south trail toward Frog Fen, I saw some fresh Spiny Puffballs and young Wild Carrot shoots near the trail’s edge. I turned south at Frog Fen, passed Brady Cemetery and followed the trail north through Native Grassland where I came to a grove of Box Elder trees that had dropped most of their leaves. I paused at Grebe Pond to watch a Blue Heron move from south to north over water that was no longer covered with green Duck Weed and Water Meal.. The trail followed the edge of the pond where some clover still sprouted. Also, a few Wooly Bear caterpillars crossed the path. As I approached the barn, I was surprised to hear a few Redwing Blackbirds calling to each other. Walking across the parking lot toward the car, I recalled earlier in the week seeing the last school bus of the fall leaving with a load of excited kids after another successful field trip season. Finally, we arrived at the car for our trip home.

Who will standup for nature?

With arguments and pleas

Who will speak for creatures?

Who will defend the trees?

Politicians and lawyers

Citizens of every kind

Must reach out to wildlife

They can’t be left behind

Laws must be enforced

Land must be preserved

More parks to establish

Space that is well deserved

D. DeGraaf