January 20

Tuesday, while Remi stayed home limping around the backyard, I hiked alone at Forest Hill Nature Area. The noontime weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 24 degrees and a slight breeze out of the northeast. At the crest of Energy Hill, I gazed west at a landscape that had been covered this morning with two inches of snow. Glancing south, I spotted a rotund Junco high in a tree perching and sunning itself. I proceeded down the hill, past Mallard Marsh and through Bobolink Meadow where the freshly fallen snow topped the winter remnants of Milkweed and Queen Anne’s lace. Entering North Woods and turning west, I noticed fresh squirrel tracks on the trail and blue skies through a leafless canopy. After leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where I spotted a few snow ridges across the path made by Meadow Voles. These rodent-like mammals, also called field mice, are very active in the winter scurrying about in a network of tunnels under the snow having to eat the equivalent of 60% of their body weight per day to survive. Continuing through Birch Row, I turned into South Woods and paused briefly on the new boardwalk overlooking Swanson Swamp. Exiting the woods, I made it to Artist Overlook where I glanced down at Sora Swale. Walking quickly on south trail, I turned north at Frog Fen and climbed Reflection Hill where I caught a glimpse of frozen Grebe Pond. Also, I was pleased to see there was enough snow on the north side for school children to sled on Wednesday. Approaching the classroom, I was pleased to see Goldfinch on some of the bird feeders since they were filled for the first time yesterday. On the ground next to one feeder was a well-camouflaged Tree Sparrow eating seed that had spilled out. Finally, I found my car and headed home.

Birds of the cold

Quest to survive

Swarming the feeder

Staying alive

Cardinal of red

Junco of gray

Eyes of the raptor

Fixed on its prey

A sudden dive

From a tree above

Life for the hawk

Death for the dove

D. DeGraaf