Wednesday, after 2 months of wandering far and wide, Remi and I returned home to Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 19 degrees and a light breeze out of the west. We left the parking lot, headed west to the crest of Energy Hill where I paused to view the early winter landscape and contrast it to the last time I looked. Descending the hill and passing Mallard Marsh, I noticed a muskrat lodge sticking up on the south shore. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I spotted a rooster pheasant flying east as well as pheasant tracks across the snow-covered trail. Far to the west, I counted a dozen or so deer grazing in Succession Field. Next, I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where the forest floor was crisscrossed with a variety of tracks including: squirrel, raccoon, mouse and even coyote. Near the exit, I saw several downed trees including a large one over the trail due to the wind storm a few weeks ago. Looping west around Succession Field, I noticed the trail was covered with a mix of rabbit, dog and deer tracks but no human tracks. I entered South Woods and paused at one of my favorite sites, Swanson Swamp to take in the peaceful scenery. Exiting the woods, I stopped briefly at Artist Overlook to gaze at Sora Swale before following the south trail toward Frog Fen where I spotted familiar grooves in the snow made by a Meadow Vole. I continued south past Brady Cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where I paused to view snow-covered Grebe Pond. Proceeding north, we completed the circuit, found the car and headed back to Alma.
Early in January
Deep in a cozy lair
Early snow blanket
Shields the frigid air
Under frozen earth
Wild creature hides
Heart slows its beat
Breathing subsides
Hibernation begins
In a furry heap
Winter slumber
Groundhog’s asleep
D. DeGraaf
No comments:
Post a Comment