August 7

Thursday was a good day at Forest Hill Nature Area for a hike with my dog, Remi who has been leashed lately after he recently chased and fought with a resident Raccoon. The early evening weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 81 degrees and a refreshing breeze out of the northeast. Facing the setting sun, I headed west down the hill to Mallard Marsh where I proceeded to pick and eat a Milkweed seedpod that is tender and tasty when it first appears. I proceeded into Bobolink Meadow where I spotted a Longhorn Beetle on a Queen Anne’s lace blossom. Just south of the trail, I was surprised to see a single Common Teasel plant. Since this thistle is considered invasive, I will have to watch this area to make sure it doesn’t spread. Approaching North Woods, I observed the first of two Viceroy butterflies. Upon entering the woods, I quickly put netting over my head (selfie) as protection against swarms of mosquitos. Stepping across the long boardwalk, I thought about how unusual it was to see water in the vernal pond this time of the year. I exited the woods, turned west and began circling Succession Field where I heard the distinctive call of an Eastern Wood Pewee coming from high in oak tree. Along the edge of South Woods, I spotted blossoms of Agrimonia and Joe Pye Weed as well as unusually large numbers of Indian pipe. I entered the shaded woods and immediately noticed lots of Virginia Knotweed sprouting from the forest floor. Hiking along the edge of Swanson Swamp, I recalled with excitement meeting with an Eagle Scout candidate last week whose planning to build a boardwalk out into this remote wetland. Exiting the woods, I passed Sora Swale and followed the south trail toward Frog Fen where I observed a single Monarch. Turning south, I headed toward Brady Cemetery where I noticed the Red Osier Dogwood shrubs were beginning to grow berries. I passed the cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland that was adorned with colorful wildflowers. Not surprising, the flowers attracted lots of insects including a Honeybee on Mountain Mint and a Black Swallowtail butterfly on a Purple Cone Flower. I continued north along the edge of weed-choked Grebe Pond to the barn where I walked around to the east side and spotted Motherwort and Smartweed. Finally, we returned to the car for our trip home.

In the peak of summer

The field is in bloom

Nature shows her stuff

No bleakness or gloom

In the bush far away

A Goldfinch sings

In the blossom below

A honeybee clings

Smell of Milkweed

If only a hint

Along the trail

Lovely Mountain Mint

Above the pond

Dragonfly flutters by

Above the meadow

Soars a butterfly

D. DeGraaf