August 16

Wednesday, Remi stayed home while I drove 6 miles northwest of Alma to hike again at the 90-acre Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 61 degrees and a slight easterly breeze. From the parking lot, I proceeded west down Energy Hill along the edge of Mallard Marsh where I noticed a patch of Canadian Thistle had gone to seed. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I spotted some Common Teasel and ripened fruit of Autumn Olive. Near the entrance to North Woods, I stopped to observe the tiny flowers of Virginia Knotweed. Entering the woods, I continued west where I saw a small Wood Frog on the earthen trail and gazed skyward through a hole in the forest canopy created by a dead and leafless Ash tree. Exiting the woods, I circled west around Succession Field where the bright red fruit of Prickly Ash caught my eye. I entered South Woods and was amazed but not surprised to see that the huge, 200-year old White Oak had finally fallen down. Continuing through the woods, I paused at Swanson Swamp to observe the blossoms of the extremely poisonous, Water Hemlock. Leaving the woods, I moved south past Sora Swale where I could barely see a Small Meadow Katydid hidden in the grass. Turning to the east, I approached Brady Cemetery where I first paused to observe a ½ inch Carrot seed moth caterpillar inside the folded up flower of Queen Anne’s lace and then paused again to sample a few ripened wild grapes. Turning north at the cemetery, I passed through Native Grassland where many prairie wild flowers continued to blossom including: Yellow & Purple Coneflower, Bergamot, Mountain Mint and False Sunflower. After looking at Grebe Pond, I continued north where I spotted a perching Song Sparrow fledging. Proceeding toward the barn, I enjoyed the sound of the Orthopteran chorus. Finally, I returned to the car and headed home.

In the midst of August

Living things abound

Fledglings from the trees

Blossoms from the ground

Nature fills the senses

Pungent smell of decay

Taste of ripening fruit

Sound of a noisy jay

Grasses of the prairie

Grow dense and tall

A few crimson leaves

A harbinger of fall

D. DeGraaf