March 8

Wednesday, after a 2-month stay in California, Remi and I returned home to hike in familiar confines of Alma’s Conservation Park. The mid morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 41 degrees and strong gusty winds from the west. Leaving the parking area, I headed south on a paved road, curved west past the Eyer Learning Circle and paused by the bird feeders which were being visited by a few hungry Chickadees and a curious Fox Squirrel. Continuing west, I came upon a newly fallen Ash tree weakened by disease and blown over the trail by the strong wind. Looking skyward, I watched the canopy being stirred up by winds of 30 mph and gusts of 40mph. Turning south and passing the Girl Scout cabin, I came to another wooded area where a loud gunshot-like sound startled me as a 40-foot tree snapped and fell nearby. On the ground, I spotted some fresh Club Moss. Turning north, I followed another trail through the woods where I could barely make out a deer staring at me through the underbrush. Further along, I noticed a Red Pine tree trunk had been recently shredded by a Pileated Woodpecker. Also, the surrounding leaf litter indicated proximate trees of oak. Continuing north, I reached the edge of the Pine River and paused as the strong wind created whitecaps on the surface. Finally, we returned to the car to get out of the wind and head for home.

…Dear March, how are you, and the Rest –

Did you leave Nature well -

Oh March, Come right upstairs with me –

I have so much to tell - 

I got your Letter, and the Birds -    

The Maples never knew that you were coming –

 I declare - how Red their Faces grew -              

But March, forgive me -       

And all those Hills you left for me to Hue -           

There was no Purple suitable -      

You took it all with you…

Emily Dickinson