February 11

Wednesday, I hiked alone at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was cloudy with freezing mist, a temperature of 19 degrees and a steady breeze out of the southwest. At the crest of Energy Hill, I gazed west at a typical, stark mid-winter landscape. I descended the hill, walked onto the ice of Mallard Marsh and decided it was solid enough to do my annual hike into all our wetlands for a closer look. Heading south on the snow-covered pond, I passed one muskrat lodge and discovered another one hidden near the south end. I circled back to the main trail and turned west through Bobolink Meadow toward North Woods where I spotted a lone Whitetail far the distance. Trudging along the trail through the woods, I noticed the large vernal pond was well hidden by ice and snow. Next to a snow tunnel under he boardwalk, I spotted my first Opossum tracks of the winter. Exiting the woods into Succession field, I paused to scan my surroundings and listen to a howling wind accompanied by a cawing crow. Turning east, I came to Willow Wallow, stepped out on the ice and headed south across the pond where I noticed a few Nuthatches fluttering and perching as I made my way through a dense stand of Willow and Cottonwood. Continuing south, I crossed the ice of Sora Swale passing many protruding willow branches that turtles use in the summer for basking. Turning east, I followed south trail to Frog Fen and continued due east through the dense willow thicket where I noticed a few depressions in the snow made by lying deer. Continuing east, I walked past a snow-covered, Palmer’s Rock Garden. Turning north, I walked out on the ice of Grebe Pond and followed the west shore while glancing up to Reflection Hill. Tucked into the stand of Phragmites on the northwest corner was another Muskrat lodge. Turning east, I came to the classroom where the bird feeders were occupied by Finches, Juncos and Sparrows. Finally, I returned to the car and headed home.

Nature still in hiding
Green yet to show
Drifts remain high
Daylight hours grow
Cedar for the buck
Acorns for the doe
Sound breaks silence
Call of a distant crow
Voles scurry about
Tunnel under snow
Winter holds on tight
Another month or so

D. DeGraaf