April 1

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The late afternoon weather was mostly sunny with a welcomed temperature of 55 degrees and a noticeable breeze out of the southeast. At the crest of Energy Hill, I was greeted by a flock of noisy Ring-billed Gulls that had flown from a huge gathering in the neighbor’s field to the north. Moving past Mallard Marsh and entering North Woods, I was entertained by a spring chorus of birds including gulls, redwing blackbirds and geese.  I continued west to the boardwalk and came upon my first butterfly of the season, a beautiful Mourning Cloak- most likely a male sunning itself on the leaf litter, looking for a mate. The name comes from its resemblance to the traditional black cloak worn by people in mourning for a deceased loved one. Also, these butterflies overwinter as adults in tree cavities or beneath bark in what is called "cryro-preservation", where they are virtually frozen alive, maintaining a very low body temperature and metabolism which allows them to tolerate sub-freezing temperatures. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I spotted an active colony of mound ants. The large mounds that serve as a solarium, collecting heat from the sun to warm the colony, seem to be increasing throughout the Nature Area. Further along, I caught a quick glimpse of my first Garter Snake of the season (see if you can find it in the photo). Entering South Woods, I walked quietly on the boardwalk in Swanson Swamp so I would not disturb a mother goose lying on her nest nearby (see if you can find her in the photo). Exiting the woods, I was pleased to finally locate the patch of Club Moss that had eluded our search for months. I followed the usual route past Sora Swale, past Frog Fen, past Brady Cemetery and through Native Grassland where I spotted a decomposed pile of Coyote scat containing the hair and fur of its prey. Arriving at the barn, I paused at the northeast corner of Grebe Pond take in the sights and sounds of a new season. Finally, we came to the car and headed home.

March turns to April

Spring takes hold

Afternoon air

Not freezing cold

New life emerges

Mother Nature’s pledge

From the forest floor

Green moss and sedge

From the wispy clouds

No sign of rain

From the field afar

Calls a Sandhill Crane

D. DeGraaf