May 5

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 48 degrees and a slight wind out of the northeast. I started out, stopped at the propane tank and opened the metal cap to see a nest of sleeping baby Starlings. At the crest of the hill, I scanned the early May landscape. Walking past Mallard Marsh, I noticed the male Redwing Blackbirds were more visible and vocal as they perched in trees to protect their nesting area. On the trail sat an American Toad. I wandered through Bobolink Meadow, entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I saw some beautiful Wild Geraniums. Early Native Americans recognized the value of this plant and used it as an ingredient in many medicinal treatments. Chippewa Indians used dried, powdered rhizomes mixed with grape juice as a mouthwash for children with thrush. A poultice from the base or pounded roots of the plant was used to treat burns and hemorrhoids. The leaves and roots were used to treat sore throats, hemorrhages, gonorrhea and cholera. At the large vernal pond, two male Mallards took off and flew north. As I crossed over the boardwalk, I spotted some blue Woodland Phlox and smelled the fragrant blossoms. Continuing west, I spotted six deer running silently through the underbrush. Exiting the woods, I stopped to observe what was left of the decomposed deer carcass. Circling Succession Field, I walked over to investigate the tent caterpillar nest that had turned brown from all the feces. I entered South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I observed three colorful male Wood Ducks as well as one female taking off and letting out their familiar call. I walked a little further and another male Wood Duck took off. I passed Swanson Swamp and noticed one of many Jack-in-the-pulpits. This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and eating it results in a powerful burning sensation. It can cause irritation of the mouth and digestive system. On rare occasions the swelling of the mouth and throat may be severe enough to affect breathing. Near the exit of the woods, I noticed some of the May apple plants had lovely white blossoms. I stopped to smell their sweet fragrance. I continued to Artist Overlook and gazed at Sora Swale where I could hear a single Spring Peeper. Continuing along the South Trail, I saw blossoms of both pink and white Honeysuckle. At Frog Fen, I turned toward Brady Cemetery. I entered the cemetery and walked over to a patch of Pussy Toes sticking up from the lawn. Leaving the cemetery, I hiked into Native Grassland and paused at Grebe Pond to see and hear one Canada goose. I headed toward the barn and arrived back at the Classroom Building. Finally, I came to the van and took off for home.

Walking in the woods


On this fine spring day


Blue sky above, footsteps below


Birds in the trees


Singing songs of May


Birdsong above, footsteps below


Breeze tickled leaves


Whispering.."come, this way"


Breeze above, footsteps below


Walking in the woods


On this fine spring day


Celebrating life above, with my footsteps below.

by Jerrilyn Swersky

April 28

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 37 degrees and a slight east wind. At the crest of the hill, I paused to ponder the view to the west. I descended the hill, passed Mallard Marsh and meandered through Bobolink Meadow, where I noticed many Dandelion blossoms had gone to seed. I followed the trail into North Woods where I spotted a few Yellow Violets. Continuing west, I came to the boardwalk and paused to look over the overflowing vernal pond. Before exiting the woods, I got off the trail and continued west about 30 yards to find a patch of Wild Leeks or Ramps. The mountain folk of Appalachia have long celebrated spring with the arrival of the ramp, believing it to have great power as a tonic to ward off many ailments of winter. Indeed, ramp's vitamin and mineral content did bolster the health of people who went without many green vegetables during the winter. Much to my surprise, I also saw my first Trillium growing close by. This is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants. At maturity, the base and core of the trillium ovary turns soft and spongy. The ants take the seeds and the decaying ovary to their nest, where they eat the ovary and put the seeds in their garbage, where they germinate in a rich growing medium. Exiting the woods, I followed the trail around Succession Field, where I noticed it was dotted with very tiny white blossoms of Thyme-leaf Speedwell. Continuing on, I stopped to observe and smell the white blossoms on a Wild Black Cherry tree. While standing there, I recalled earlier in the week being excited to see and hear a rare male Ruby Crowned Kinglet perched on a tree nearby. I suspected this small bird was heading to its summer breeding habitat in the spruce-fir forests of the northern, mountainous United States or Canada. Next, I got off the trail to investigate a small tree that had a silky nest of Tent Caterpillars attached to it. I entered South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I observed several spore stalks of Sensitive Fern. Exiting the woods, I continued past Artist Overlook along the edge of Sora Swale. I turned east and then turned south off the trail to the edge of the neighbor’s field to observe a patch of white flowers of Hoary Cress, considered a noxious weed by farmers. Back on the south trail, I came to Frog Fen and turned toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland to see that it was greening up since the controlled burn 3 weeks ago. I continued north past Grebe Pond and came to the Classroom Building where I spotted a rabbit sitting on the lawn. Finally, we jumped in the van and took off for civilization.

Signs of spring are here and there

Woods trail is muddy and bare

Colorful blossoms dot the ground

Pond frogs make their sound

Wood ducks takes to flight

Awakened squirrel is in sight

Call of a goose is loud and clear

Woodpecker drums very near

Blades of grass peak through

Giving the meadow a greenish hue

Returning Grebes begin to dive

Mother Nature is coming alive.

D. DeGraaf

April 21

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 35 degrees and a brisk north wind. Before starting out, I gazed west to notice the continual greening of forest and field. I walked down the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh. While hiking through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed some yellow blossoms of Wild Mustard popping up. At the entrance to North Woods I saw some white blossoms of Wild Strawberry. Western Indians made a tea from the dried strawberry plant leaves to treat kidney trouble and helped relieve stomach trouble. Indians made bitters from wild strawberry roots and used it as a tonic and blood purifier after a long, cold winter. Also, I noticed the vegetative stage of Horsetail plants beginning to appear. I entered the woods where I spotted some fresh shelf fungi at the base of a tree. Continuing west along the trail, I could see some young ferns beginning to grow. Exiting the woods, I followed the trail around Succession Field where I could clearly hear a Field Sparrow singing. I entered South Woods and paused at Swanson Swamp. Exiting the woods, I headed east and observed the beautiful pinkish-white blossoms on a Wild Apple tree. I headed toward Artist Overlook when I heard the call of a Pied-billed Grebe by Willow Wallow, so I turned north and headed in that direction. I walked along the edge of the pond just as the Grebe dove under the water and disappeared. In the meantime a Muskrat swam rapidly across the pond. Also, I saw a pair of Geese with 4 goslings swimming quietly. I climbed up the west side of Reflection Hill just in time to see a Tree Swallow perched on the birdhouse. Walking south down the hill past Frog Fen, I headed toward Brady Cemetery where I could clearly make out the brown needles on the White Pine trees due to heat damage from the recent grass fire. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland where I wasn’t surprised to see the deep-rooted Burdock plants beginning to grow in the burn area. I hiked north along the edge of Grebe Pond and stopped by a small cattail marsh where I counted 3 Common Snipes taking off. This bird is well camouflaged and shy, concealing itself close to ground vegetation and flushing only when approached closely. When flushed, they make a distinctive sound and fly off in a series of aerial zigzags to confuse predators. They forage in soft mud, probing or picking up insects and earthworms as well as some plant material. I finally reached the Classroom Building and concluded another hike. So the dog and I got in the van and turned for home.

O give me the woods, the budding woods,


In the gentle time of spring,


When her dantiest robe o'er tree and shrub


With a noiseless hand she flings;


When the warbling notes of the birds do float,


As from their southern home


To their place of rest in the olden nest,


On gladsome wing they come.

Mary T. Lathrap

April 14

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 53 degrees and a slight breeze out of the southwest. Walking past the Storage Building, I noticed a patch of Purple Deadnettle growing next to the propane tank. Though similar to stinging nettle in appearance, it is not related and does not sting, hence the name "deadnettle". Young plants have edible tops and leaves, are good in salads or in stir fry as a spring vegetable. If finely chopped it can also be used in sauces, but there is little to recommend about its flavor. Before descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I scanned the landscape to the west. I passed the pond and continued through Bobolink Meadow where a rooster pheasant scampered across the trail far ahead. Entering North Woods, I looked down to see some blossoms of Marsh Blue Violet emerging from the leaf litter. The tender young leaves can be added to salads, boiled to make a palatable cooked green or added to soups as an okra-like thickener. Even though they are somewhat bland and are best mixed with other greens, they are rich in Vitamins A and C. The dried leaves can be made into tea. The flowers can be candied. I continued on the trail west and exited the woods where I stopped by the decomposing deer carcass to see small green Scarab beetles and Carrion Beetle Larvae feeding on the remains. I continued around the west end of Succession Field and entered South Woods. I paused at the edge of Swanson Swamp and once again did not see the mother goose on her nest. I exited South Woods, passed Artist Overlook and continued around to the east side of Sora Swale. Hiking along south trail, I turned at Frog Fen and headed south toward Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where I looked over the blackened landscape and smelled the charred vegetation from last week’s controlled burn. Fire has always been a partner with healthy prairies. Native Americans and Euro-Americans set prairie fires to help hunt animals and clear the land. Prairies are managed and maintained by prescribed burns. During each burn, non-native plants are removed, allowing prairie plants more nutrients and room to grow. Prairie plants can survive fires since they have deep roots and grow from a point underground. Prairies are burned at regular intervals to help keep them healthy. I continued past Grebe Pond where I observed a Common Grackle perched high in a tree. Finally, I walked past the barn, got in the van and headed for home.

Awakened leaves


Sprout innumerable green dashes –


Like a painter brushing


New thoughts


On brown branches.

Bright birds sing and chatter,


Spring bursts


Everywhere.


And the clear scent of flowers


Lifts heavenly fair.

The cycle of living


Is once more enhanced,


As renewed life


Has quickened


Nature to dance.

Donna Lyon Rhose

April 7

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 35 degrees and no wind. Before starting out, I looked out over the western landscape. I descended the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh where I was surprised to see several green shoots of Cattails emerging from the water’s edge. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I stopped at the entrance to North Woods to notice clusters of samaras hanging from the Red Maples. I entered the woods and followed the trail west where I spotted two Downy Woodpeckers flying among the trees. Also, I noticed a 30 ft. tree had fallen next to the path. I exited the woods, went over to the deer remains and saw that little had changed since last week. Circling Succession Field, I entered South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I noticed the mother goose was not sitting on her nest. Also, I noticed the Witch Hazel trees were beginning to leaf out. Leaving the woods, I saw lots of Trout Lilly leaves growing from the leaf litter. I looked forward to seeing the beautiful yellow flowers that would soon appear. I continued onto Artist Overlook where I stopped to view Sora Swale and observed my first Tree Swallows of the season as two were swooping near the pond surface. Also, a single noisy goose flew in from the east and landed on the pond. I followed the south trail to Frog Fen and gazed up a Reflection Hill. I turned south and headed toward Brady Cemetery where I noticed some pine branches laying on the ground, charred from the recent grass fire. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where the dead, standing vegetation had been cut as we planned to resume the controlled burn this afternoon. I continued north and spotted two male Mallards and three Geese on a mirror-like Grebe Pond. Before ending the hike, I walked by the Observation Deck and down to the pond to check out the dock. Arriving back at the Classroom Building, I spotted the white blossoms of Shepherd’s Purse growing along the south side. A member of the mustard family, this weedy annual has flat, heart-shaped pods. Shepherd’s purse is an astringent diuretic herb with good urinary antiseptic, as well as blood coagulant properties. The odor of the plant is peculiar and rather unpleasant. It has an aromatic and biting taste. Shepherd’s Purse is used to treat diarrhea, treat and prevent duodenal ulcers. Since it stops internal and external bleeding, it is used as a wound remedy. Finally, Remi and I got in the van and headed for home.

The wonders of nature bring into full bloom


It's colors and signs of seasonal bliss


It draws the heart toward it's vividful views


And unto the things that it should not miss



It's creatures that are drawn out from their dens


Bring warmful views to the earth once more


That they would grow and produce in a thriving state


In abundance of all it's galore

Min Kim

March 31

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was overcast with a temperature of 33 degrees and a light wind out of the north. Before commencing, I perused the early spring western landscape. I descended the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, I entered North Woods to see some snow left over from yesterday. I stopped at the boardwalk where I saw some Purple Cress blossoms. A member of the mustard family, Purple Cress is a spring ephemeral that gets its name from the green to purplish green hairy stem and pale purple flowers. Essentially, a spring ephemeral wildflower appears early each spring, before the leafing out of the deciduous trees in which it dwells underneath and when full sunlight can get to the forest floor. In addition, this is the time of year when soil moisture is at the highest because the trees are not actively soaking it up. Also, a considerable amount of decay from the previous year’s leaves has put lots of nutrients in the soil. These ephemeral wildflowers can take advantage of this abundant food supply. Before leaving the woods, I was surprised to see May apple plants beginning to appear on the forest floor. I exited the woods and went over to see the deer remains. Circling Succession Field, I heard a few Field Sparrows singing out. Along the western boundary I noticed the colorful white blossoms of a Serviceberry or Juneberry tree. Continuing along the north side of South Woods, I spotted 3 deer running silently through the understory. I entered the woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I was surprise to see a mother goose sitting on her nest on a small island just off shore. This was the same place I saw one last spring. Leaving the woods, I continued onto Artist Overlook where I stopped to view the new green shoots of Reed Canary Grass growing on the far shore of Sora Swale. I followed the south trail to Frog Fen, turned south and headed toward Brady Cemetery where I examined the area where the recent grass fire had occurred. I noticed green grass growing up through the blackened ground. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland where some of the vegetation had been cut in preparation for the controlled burn tomorrow afternoon. I continued north where I was pleased to see the dock had been installed on Grebe Pond as we prepare for our spring field trips. Also, I was reminded of the beautiful Mute Swan that swam there earlier in the week. Arriving back at the Classroom Building, I spotted my first Dandelion blossoms growing along the north side. Finally, Remi and I got in the van and headed for home.

I hike along to the beat of earth
Mother Nature has given birth
Plants and animals come alive
Dormant wildlife start to revive
All around is freshening air
The world awakens with flair
End of March is here right now
Season has changed. Oh Wow!
Rhythm of life is picking up
Springtime begins to erupt

D. DeGraaf

March 24

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with temperature of 50 degrees and a slight northeast wind bringing a familiar smell from the dairy farm next door. Before beginning my hike, I faced east to acknowledge the hidden sun for its recent crossing of the celestial equator at the vernal equinox to begin warming the northern hemisphere. Next, I turned my gaze to the western landscape. I descended the hill and paused at Mallard Marsh to see a muskrat swimming by a pair of floating geese. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I spotted my first of 6 crayfish walking slowing on the trail. Also, to my left a single quacking Mallard took off and to my right a Killdeer called out from the neighbor’s field. At the entrance to North Woods I turned south to Willow Wallow. Continuing west through Succession Field, I saw two doe standing still far to the west. I was surprised how close I got before they darted into North Woods. I stopped at the decomposing deer and observed a Carrion Beetle feeding on what remained of the flesh. At this stage what is left is being broken down into its constituent chemicals by a host of creatures including these beetles as well as flies, maggots and worms. Collectively these are know as decomposers. The lives of these organisms depend on the death of others. During the process of decomposition, they provide food for themselves by extracting chemicals from the dead deer, using those to produce energy. The decomposers will then produce waste of their own. In turn, this will also decompose, eventually returning nutrients to the soil. These nutrients will be taken up by the roots of living plants enabling them to grow and develop, so that organic material is naturally recycled. Virtually nothing goes to waste in nature. Next, I continued around the field and circled back toward Willow Wallow where I noticed the willows were greening up. I passed the pond and noticed that the Autumn Olive bushes that we didn’t kill last fall were starting to leaf out. I continued east and climbed Reflection Hill where I looked out over Grebe Pond. I descended the hill, passed Frog Fen and headed toward Brady Cemetery. Approaching the cemetery, I looked over the 2 acres of charred vegetation caused by a grass fire earlier in the week. Also, some of the small white pine trees had yellow needles due to heat from the fire. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland. Following the trail north, I glanced once again at Grebe Pond where I spotted 10 Geese, 4 Mallards and 3 Mergansers. I continued toward the barn and arrived at the Classroom Building. Finally, another great hike was over as Remi and I took off for home.

Thousands of golden trumpets are raised

To herald the return of Spring;

Daylight, gradually returning again,

Birds chatter, and chirp and sing.
Cold days have passed us by once more,

Another Winter is thankfully over;

Spring brings with it, an sense of brightness,

Of fields carpeted with lucky clover.
Roadside verges explode with a fusion of colour,

As bulbs that had laid dormant, reappear;

Vast stretches, like an artists palette,

Yes, Spring is certainly here.

Jim Bell