June 24

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked again at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 54 degrees and a slight breeze out of the west. From Energy Hill, I proceeded down toward Mallard Marsh where I noticed the White Campion blossoms were opening up. Next to the marsh, I paused to enjoy the sweet scent of newly opened Milkweed flowers. I continued through Bobolink Meadow where I spotted a couple of deer far off to the west. Entering North Woods, I headed west and noticed sunlight had penetrated this dense stand of broadleaf trees. Near the exit, the tiny red Cynipid galls on a Bur oak leaf caught my eye. Circling west around Succession Field, I was pleased to see the white blossoms of Oxeye Daisy and the yellow blossoms of Field Clover. Also, I was amazed by the number of white, frothy globs attached to the branches of Dogwood shrubs. Not having seen these before at the nature area, I discovered they were made by nymphs of a species of Spittlebug that feed only on dogwoods, blueberries and buckeye. Although these spittle masses are conspicuous and often numerous, they do not harm the plants. Hiking along the west trail, I spotted a Crane Fly resting on a leaf, basking in the morning sunlight. I entered South Woods where a juvenile Opossum approached me before it scurried under the boardwalk. Moving out onto the boardwalk in Swanson Swamp, I paused at one of my favorite spots to listen to the calls of Green Frogs, Redwing Blackbirds and Crows. Exiting the woods, I turned south along the edge of Sora Swale where St. John’s Wort was starting to bloom. Turning east, I came to Frog Fen, circled around past Brady Cemetery and entered Native Grassland where my ears caught the calls of a Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow and Mourning Dove. Next, I walked along the edge of the Palmer Rock Preserve where I noticed both Elderberry and Motherwort blossoms. Continuing north, I stopped at Grebe Pond where the invasive Watermeal weed almost completely covered the surface. Finally, I passed the barn and arrived at the car for our trip home.

Bidding June farewell

Hiking day by day

Summer’s invitation

Sights along the way

Morning has broken

Nature’s mystique

Pausing at a pond

Green Frogs speak

Out in the meadow

Whitetail  reside

My companion dog

Walks by my side

D. DeGraaf