September 18

Friday, Remi and I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area for our weekly nature hike after being away for 6 weeks. The early morning weather was overcast with a temperature of 64 degrees and no wind. Arriving at Energy Hill, I gazed west at the late summer landscape and was amazed how the willows in front of Mallard Marsh had grown tall to block the distant view of Bobolink Meadow and North Woods. Proceeding down the hill past the marsh, I noticed the pale yellow color of Bobolink Meadow was not only due to the fading Goldenrod blossoms but also the changing color of Milkweed leaves. Entering the dark, heavily shaded North Woods, I stopped to look at lots of standing water in the large vernal pond and could not recall a time when the pond stayed wet the entire summer. I exited the woods, circled Succession Field and passed through Birch Row where a few leaves were beginning to turn yellow. Into South Woods, I spotted clusters of Yellow-centered Waxy cap Mushrooms on a decaying log as well as the Christmas-like colors of a Winterberry bush on the edge of Swanson Swamp. I exited the woods where I immediately saw a beautiful, 6 inch-diameter Amanita Mushroom. Turning south, I passed Sora Swale and turned east to follow the south trail while listening to the Orthopterans singing as well as Remi panting. At Frog Fen, I quickly hiked north up Reflection Hill and gazed down on Grebe Pond where I noticed a patch of Gray Dogwood shrubs nearby had turned red to match the barn color in the distance. Turning around, I descended the hill south toward Brady Cemetery where an American Toad hopped across the path in front of me. While passing the cemetery, I also noticed leaves of Virginia creeper vines were turning red. Turning north into Native Grassland, I couldn’t help but notice tall Blue Stem and Indian Grass leaning over the trail. Continuing north along the edge of Grebe Pond toward the barn, I caught a glimpse of a Blue Heron flying high overhead as well as a rare Herb Willow plant that was turning red. Finally, I passed the barn, made a brief stop on the dock to check the pond surface weeds before returning to the car and heading home.

Takes leaves of green

Gives us those of red

Takes a green meadow

Gives us yellow instead

Takes a redwing’s song

Gives us a cricket’s call

Taking away summer

Soon to give us fall

Seasonal transitions

Nature gives & takes

After a year asleep

Lady Autumn awakes

D. DeGraaf