Friday,
Remi and I hiked once again at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 43 degrees and a slight southerly breeze that spun the wind
turbine on energy hill. I descended the hill to Mallard Marsh where I spotted a
Mallard drake through the cattails and listened to a
chorus of sounds that included the familiar shrill of Redwing Blackbirds and tapping of Leopard Frogs. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I was pleased to hear a Song Sparrow
singing and see a lovely Bluebird
perching. Following the muddy trail through North Woods, I spotted more signs of the season on the forest floor including young leaves of Canada Wild
Ginger and
Trout Lilly. I exited the woods where the morning sun and dew had turned Succession Field into a
cotton field that was actually hundreds of spider webs. Next, I entered South Woods where the ground was littered with another sign of spring-the caterpillar-like
catkin flowers that had fallen from the surrounding Quaking Aspen trees. After pausing at Swanson Swamp to enjoy another avian
symphony, I proceeded down the trail and came upon the decomposing
leg of a deer that had been dragged from an area near the west trail where I had previously discovered the carcass. Exiting the woods, I passed artist overlook and took the south trail to Frog Fen where I observed a pair of
Tree Swallows checking out one of the bird boxes. Continuing past Brady Cemetery, I followed the trail north through Native Grassland along the edge of Grebe Pond where the female
redwings were busy courting and nesting. Finally, we passed the barn and classroom, came to the car and took off for home.
No matter the season, no matter the week
It’s the wonders of nature that I seek
It may be the song of a heron in flight
May be a deer that’s in my sight
It may be a fresh blanket of snow
May be grasses starting to grow
It may be colorful leaves in the fall
May be the sound of frogs that call
Always something to see and hear
No matter the month, no matter the year
D. DeGraaf
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