November 9

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 43 degrees and a steady wind from the southwest. Today’s trek included my annual quest for chlorophyll. I planned to focus on the color of late autumn deciduous plants and leaves, especially those that retained the color green. At the crest of the hill, I gazed over a mostly green-less landscape. I descended the hill to Mallard Marsh where I noticed a single thistle plant and a few stalks of Reed Canary grass still showed some green. Entering Bobolink Meadow, I scared up four hens and one rooster pheasant. Up ahead, I noticed the trees of North Woods were completely bare. On the trail near my feet, I was surprised to still find a single dandelion blossom surrounded by a variety of green plants. At the entrance to North Woods, I spotted a single Goldenrod plant that was still mostly green. Also, a few tiny Wild Strawberry runners were still alive and green. Entering the woods, I headed west where I noticed a very green Christmas fern leaf on the forest floor. Continuing on the trail, I spotted several clumps of Nut Sedge that were still green as well as a few Wild Ginger leaves. Next, I paused at the vernal pond to admire my leafless surroundings. Continuing west, I spotted a few green Aspen leaves on the ground that must have just fallen. Exiting the woods, I couldn’t help but notice a few Autumn Olive leaves had not yet turned yellow. I hiked along the edge of Succession Field around the west end where I noticed a Buckthorn tree was the only one left that had not turned color. Also, a few Wild Rose leaves were still green. I turned east, walked through a corridor of leafless Birch trees and turned south into South Woods. Walking along the edge of Swanson Swamp, I wasn’t surprised to see some green vegetation near shore. Exiting the woods, I turned east where I saw a Wild Apple tree was still full of green leaves. Turning south, I paused at Artist Overlook to view Sora Swale. Continuing on south trail, I spotted a few green Wild Raspberry leaves. At Frog Fen, I turned south, passed Brady Cemetery and entered Native Grassland. The only thing still green was a few leaves of Mountain Mint. I paused at Grebe Pond to notice how the recent fall rains had filled it up again. Continuing toward the barn, I spotted a small patch of green duckweed along the east shore of the pond. Finally, we passed the Classroom and found the car for our homeward journey.

Farewell Chlorophyll

That colored leaves with green

Farewell Chlorophyll

That painted the summer scene

Farewell Chlorophyll

That made vegetation thrive

Farewell Chlorophyll

That kept plants alive

Farewell Chlorophyll

So maples turned red

Farewell Chlorophyll

So oaks turned brown instead

I long for spring of the year

Chlorophyll will reappear

D. DeGraaf