July 9

On a warm, humid morning, a swarm of mosquitos accompany me for a hike through a 40-acre forest owned by the Ithaca Public Schools. While the rising sun penetrates the dense canopy, I spot a 4-ft tall Bull Thistle plant ready to bloom as well as a ¾-in White Wave Moth nestled in the undergrowth. Continuing south, I come upon a 1-acre pond, still swollen from above average rainfall. Near the water’s edge, I can barely see a well-camouflaged Green Frog with a tympanic membrane much larger than its eye, indicating it’s a male. Moving ahead, the ground vegetation displays a mix of Royal and Sensitive Ferns in addition to some Gray’s Sedge with their spikelet seed heads. While gazing skyward, I hear the drone of an airplane followed by the squawk of a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Facing another direction, I pick up the distant call of a Wood Thrush. Still exploring the damp forest floor, I come upon some white Slime Mold as well as tiny Orange Mycena Mushrooms. Turning back toward the car, I notice deer scat on the leaf litter. The texture and shape of these droppings indicate a moist, leafy diet in contrast to those of winter (stock photo). Looking around, I catch a glimpse of a perching Chipmunk. Reaching the clearing where the car is parked, I spot blossoms of Moth Mullein, Crown Vetch as well as Motherwort being fed upon by a Bubble Bee. Before heading home, I pause to remember how only a few years ago, this property, only 4 miles west of town, was well marked and maintained as a field trip destination for the district’s elementary students. Now, missing and broken signs indicate a lack of usage and missed opportunities for school kids to break away from sedentary desk work, get outside and hike these trails to connect with nature.

Nature in rhythm

July days ahead

Summer sky blue

Raspberries red

Creatures are born

Consume and grow

Vultures fly high

Frogs lie low

Pond floods full

Up to the brim

Neath the surface

Tadpoles swim

D. DeGraaf