June 11

Last Friday, I returned to Lumberjack Park near Riverdale to hike on their recently completed nature trail. After a little over two years of development, I am pleased to announce that the trail is now open to the public. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 59 degrees and a gentle breeze from the northeast. Leaving the grass parking area off Lumberjack Rd., I followed the White Pine Trail east where I noticed the May Apples were starting to display raw fruit. After a short distance, I veered to the right and followed the Riverview Trail along a high bank of the Pine River where I paused at one of the scenic overlooks. Continuing east, I left the trail briefly and hiked down to the river’s edge to view the gentle current while being serenaded by a Tufted Titmouse. Back on the trail as it turned sharply to the north through a corridor of Red Pine trees, I stooped to observe a mating pair of White Wave moths. Just ahead, I joined up to the Mud Creek Trail as it ascended a slope and turned south to the edge of the creek where I spotted several white blossoms of Canada Anemone and Daisy Fleabane. Also, fluttering near the ground were a dozen or so Ebony Jewelwing damselflies, both male and female (white spots on wing tips). On the bridge, I paused to watch the water flow west while listening to a Song Sparrow. After noticing the blossoms of a Ninebark shrub as I left the bridge, I followed the trail as it turned west past a patch of Wild Iris. Next, I turned south and walked on a boardwalk over wetlands covered with reeds, ferns and skunk cabbage. Up the steps, I continued south on the Sugar Maple Trail to the other trailhead and parking area off Madison Rd. From there, I followed the Sugar Maple Trail as it looped east, then north and then west where I paused to hear a Red-eyed Vireo perched high in the lush maple canopy. Reconnecting to the Mud Creek Trail, I retraced my steps north back to the White Pine Trail and followed it due west where I spotted some edible Oyster Mushrooms growing on a tree trunk. Finally, I made it back to the car and headed home

Off the noisy road

River flows ahead

Nature all around

Pristine path I tread

Corridor of conifers

Pines of white and red

Pavement of needles

Pristine path I tread

Over a muddy creek

Cross a bridge instead

Walk a wooden way

Pristine path I tread

D. DeGraaf