May 12

Tuesday, Remi stayed home while I hiked again at Forest Hill Nature Area. I exited the car and while walking over to Energy Hill was greeted by overcast skies, a blustery west wind and a temperature of 50 degrees. From the crest of the hill, the landscape to the west continued to green up, helped along by two prior days of steady rain. Descending the hill to Mallard Marsh, I spotted the resident Canada goose family swimming peacefully and was pleased that all four goslings had survived so far despite being vulnerable to predators like hawks and foxes. Proceeding through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed several Wild Mustard plants were beginning to display their yellow blossoms. I entered North Woods where Horsetail was sticking up through some of the standing water and both purple and yellow Violets were scattered among the leaf litter. Continuing on the flooded trail, a patch of Sensitive Ferns and a Jack-in-the-pulpit caught my eye. Leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where one of the Burr Oak trees was flowering as well as leafing out. Just off the trail hugging the ground, Wild Strawberries were starting to blossom. I entered South Woods and followed the trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp. After exiting, I turned east and immediately noticed a blossoming Apple tree. I took my usual route past Sora Swale and followed the south trail toward Frog Fen. Next, I continued past Brady Cemetery, through Native Grassland and came to the south edge of Grebe Pond where I heard the distinctive chirp of a Sora Rail nesting in the cattails. A little farther down the trail, I spotted a newly constructed Robin’s nest in a small oak tree and nearby, the bird that I assumed would be laying her eggs in it soon. Arriving at the barn, I spotted the large leaves of a Burdock plant before making it to the car and heading home.

Morning in May

Mid forest scenes

Nature’s tapestry

Array of greens

Leaves and needles

Stems and blades

Different hues

Different shades

Color of life

Green of spring

Above and below

Green is king

D. DeGraaf