May 29

Friday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 61 degrees and a gentle southerly breeze. From the crest of Energy Hill looking west, I noticed the taller leafed-out willows next to Mallard Marsh now blocked by view of Bobolink Meadow and North Woods. Descending the hill past Mallard Marsh, I hiked through Bobolink Meadow where most Dandelions had gone to seed and young Milkweed plants were now showing up as part of green vegetation. After entering North Woods and following the trail to the west, I paused at the large vernal pond while waving at one of several swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes that followed me. Leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where the raspberry bushes were blossoming and a couple of Whitetail deer were watching me from a distance. Passing through South Woods, I stopped at the boardwalk where the invasive pondweed, Watermeal covered the surface of Swanson Swamp. Near the exit to the woods, I spotted a White Wave moth resting on a leaf of a Hickory seedling next to some Poison Ivy. Turning east and then south, I passed Artist Overlook and followed south trail around Sora Swale where I saw some blue Bugleweed near the ground. I continued east, turned south at Frog Fen and circled past Brady Cemetery into Native Grassland where I observed a brightly colored male House Finch. Continuing north, I stopped at the Palmer Rock Collection to check out a Killdeer nest in one of the rock piles that we have been watching for several days. Continuing north to Grebe Pond, I saw a family of Canada Geese near the shore and a male Goldfinch out in the field. Finally, we headed north past the barn to the car and took off for home.

Start of the day

Trail’s the way

Willows sway

Noisy Blue Jay

Catbird of gray

Hawk will prey

Fawns will play

Green will stay

Nature’s display

Farewell to May

D. DeGraaf