January 28

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 32 degrees and light snow carried by a steady south wind. Before starting the hike, I paused at the crest of the hill to look west at the snowy landscape. I started down the hill, passed Mallard Marsh and continued through Bobolink Meadow where I scared up four pheasants. Ring-necked pheasants are native to China and East Asia, but they have been successfully introduced in North America. In autumn, ring-necked pheasants form flocks in which they will live until the following spring. These birds are most comfortable on the ground, where they forage for grains, seeds, berries, insects, and, occasionally, small animals. They can fly and launch themselves airborne with an abrupt, noisy takeoff, but typically run from trouble. Also, I saw some of their tracks on the trail. Turning at the entrance to North Woods, I walked south to Willow Wallow. I turned west, followed the path into Succession Field and veered off the trail into North Woods where I observed a huge granite rock. It looked like another glacial erratic. Also, I saw a discarded augur feeder reminding me that this property used to be a farm. I returned to the path for a short time before getting off to check the deer carcass that I had discovered a few weeks ago. I was surprised how well preserved it still was. Completing my circuit of Succession Field, I paused at Artist Overlook to gaze at Sora Swale. Moving along the south trail, I observed some samaras hanging from a box elder tree and concluded it must be a female tree since it is the only one to bear fruit. These trees tend to keep samaras well into the winter or even into spring. Continuing on the trail, I spotted some tiny tracks and a snow tunnel of a Meadow Vole. Meadow Voles are active year-round, usually at night. They eat grasses, sedges and forbs including many agricultural plant species. They occasionally consume insects and snails. Meadow Voles occasionally scavenge on animal remains and cannibalism is frequent in periods of high population density. In winter they consume green basal portions of grass plants, often hidden under snow. Other winter diet components include seeds, roots, and bulbs. The Meadow Vole is an important food source for many predators such as snakes, owls, hawks, and carnivorous mammals. Next, I turned north at Frog Fen, climbed Reflection Hill and faced south to feel the snow hitting my face. I descended the hill and stopped behind the Classroom Building to observe lots of bird tracks next to the feeders. I wandered past the observation deck to the edge of Grebe Pond to check the ice conditions. Finally, it was back to the van and heading for home.

We trod a trail, my dog and me

I open my senses to hear and see

What nature’s expressions will be?

Whiteness covers brown and gold

Tales of the living cannot be told

Sounds of silence fill the air

Where is the bird or even the hare?

Snow hides most living things

No butterfly soars or cricket sings

I am delighted and rather fond

To see ice covering the pond

Leafless trees line my way

I hope to see some deer today

Animal tracks describe the night

A squirrel scampers in my sight

End of January is colder than cold

Winter stories are yet to be told.

D. DeGraaf

January 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 1 degree and no wind.  The frigid overnight temperature covered everything with crystalline hoarfrost. On this hike, I planned to focus on the sounds of winter, both natural and man-made. As I started out, my questions were: How quiet was the Nature Area in the depths of winter? What sounds would Mother Nature offer today? How would these sounds compare to a similar hike I made last June? Before descending the hill, I looked west over the landscape and heard a motor running from the dairy farm next door. Beginning my hike, I paused at Mallard March where silence replaced the familiar songs of perching Redwing Blackbirds that I remembered from last summer. Walking through a serene Bobolink Meadow, I picked up the rhythmic crunching sound of my boots walking over the frozen snow. Hiking through peaceful North Woods, I saw a squirrel run up a tree and was reminded of the crunching noise this creature made last June as it ran over the dry leaf litter. Also, I noticed some fresh deer tracks while listening to a few crows off to the north. I exited the woods and circled the far western edge of Succession Field where I saw a couple of Downy Woodpeckers perched against trees while hearing one of them call out. This was the spot where I remembered hearing the beautiful song of an Indigo Bunting last summer. Entering a very quiet South Woods, I moved off the trail and walked onto the ice of secluded Swanson’s Swamp where I found some fresh rabbit and raccoon tracks. I paused, closed my eyes and recalled last June hearing the drumming sound of a Bull Frog coming from this location. Exiting the woods, I hiked toward Artist Overlook where I recalled the melodious sound of a Song Sparrow last June. I continued along the south trail where I spotted a male and female Cardinal while hearing the familiar sound of a lone Chickadee. Turning north at Frog Fen, I climbed Reflection Hill where my ears perked up to hear the distant drone of a passenger jet high above giving off a white vapor trail against a clear blue sky.  I paused to gaze at a silent Grebe Pond. Next, I descended the hill where I noticed how the additional inch of snow would help make the hill prime for sledding next week. Also, I was pleased to see several old Xmas trees that some of the guides had piled up to make a rabbit habitat. Next, came the sounds of chirping birds at the feeders where I spotted Buntings, Goldfinch and Juncos. Finally, I arrived at the van, listened one last time to nature’s quietude and headed for home.

The leaves drop to earth

Leaving the trees bare and gray

No shield from the cold

The animals hide

And they sleep for the winter

Now the land is bare

Strong gusts of wind blow

As white snow swirls everywhere

The world is blinded

The blizzard settles

Leaving the landscape pure white

There is no color

The snow is gentle

As it drifts slowly downward

And the world sparkles

Unknown

January 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 18 degrees and a slight wind out of the northeast. First, I paused to scan the western vista and noticed that snow cover had returned after a long dry spell. I followed the trail past Mallard Marsh and through Bobolink Meadow where I blazed a path through the powdery snow. A few crows welcomed me with their loud caws. I entered North Woods and continued along the trail where I looked up to see some blue sky through the leafless canopy. After exiting North Woods, I observed an unusual snow mound just off the trail.  I walked over and brushed the snow away to reveal a dead deer lying in the grass. I examined the body and noticed it was a button buck with no external signs to indicate cause of death. A button buck tends to be a buck that is only 6 months old. Since it is within the first year, it only has little nubs where the antlers will develop. While lamenting the passing of this magnificent creature, I was reminded of nature’s ageless cycle that from death comes life for others as carnivores and scavengers will gain sustenance from the flesh and the surrounding vegetation will gain soil nutrients. I continued along the far side of Succession Field where I paused at a bench and measured the snow depth at 5 inches. I passed through the stand of white cedar and saw a squirrel’s nest up about 30 ft. in a tree. Heading toward Artist Overlook. I changed my usual route and turned north toward Willow Wallow. I walked down to the edge of the pond to see a muskrat lodge out on the ice. I followed the trail along the edge of the pond and ascended Reflection Hill from the west. Circling the hill, I gazed down at a snowy Grebe Pond.  Heading south, I descended Reflection Hill and hiked past Frog Fen toward Brady Cemetery.  I walked up the slope into the cemetery and gazed west at the surrounding landscape. I left the cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where I observed the dried flowers of Aster, Queen Anne’s lace, Thistle, Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed and Burdock.  From the east side of Grebe Pond, I noticed a stand of cattails with their fuzzy flower heads. Finally, I arrived back at the Classroom Building where I spotted some birds at the feeders including Buntings, Goldfinches and one Mourning Dove. Finally, it was time to hop aboard the minivan, turn on the heater and head for home.

Amongst the quiet of Nature with wooded hills around

The harsh cawings of the ravens the only living sound

In the nice Winter sunshine it is a pleasant day

From life's many cares and worries a place for to hide away,

Of an Earthly Utopia 'tis not hard to visualize

Where Nature in all of her splendor is beauty to the eyes

I too am part of Nature like all creatures great and small

And memories of Nature's beauty are marvelous memories to recall,

An artist on her canvas would try to capture such a scene

And I enjoy remembering the beauty I have seen

And the unmistakable sounds of Nature on a sunny Winter's day

Like the clear flute of the magpie on trees not far away

A lovely day in Winter of around eighteen degrees

And in the stony valley there is scarce a puff of breeze.

Francis Duggan

January 7

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning sky was mostly clear with a light breeze out of the west and a temperature of 34 degrees compared to a frigid 8 degrees a year ago. Before descending the hill, I paused and scanned the western landscape to notice the absence of the white stuff as our snow drought continued. I paused at Mallard Marsh and then walked through Bobolink Meadow. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I saw a variety of deer tracks in the mud. Some were big, some small, some with splayed toes, some not. Tracks of a big, heavy buck often have splayed toes and sink so far into the mud that the dewclaws are visible. Because females and fawns weigh much less than a mature buck, their tracks show splayed toes and dewclaws only if they were running. Next, I paused on the boardwalk and noticed the vernal pond was full. I followed the trail and suddenly heard the raucous sound of a dozen crows come from high overhead. I exited the woods, hiked around Succession Field and entered South Woods. Following the trail past Swanson Swamp, I spotted three deer darting through the understory.White-tailed deer are herbivores. Their stomachs allow them to digest a varied diet, including leaves, twigs, fruits and nuts, grass, corn, alfalfa, and even lichens and other fungi. Occasionally venturing out in the daylight hours, they are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, browsing mainly at dawn and dusk. Adult whitetails have reddish-brown coats in summer that fade to a duller grayish-brown in winter. They are very good runners and can reach speeds of 30 mph. Buck antlers, which are made from bone are starting to shed in this month. It may be surprising that they’re rarely found in the woods. Since antlers are rich in calcium and other nutrients, animals such as rabbits and rodents usually eat them soon after they’re shed. Exiting the woods, I continued toward Artist Overlook where I saw a lingering patch of snow surrounding the picnic tables. I got to Artist Overlook and paused to look down at Sora Swale. I followed the South trail to Frog Fen and turned south to Brady Cemetery. I passed the cemetery and entered Native Grassland. I hiked along the east side of Grebe Pond toward the red barn. Next, I walked over to the edge of the pond to check the ice for an upcoming winter field trip. Unfortunately, it was not safe to walk on. Then I came to the Classroom Building where I could see the new wind turbine and solar panel. West of the building, I checked out the bird feeders and saw a few Goldfinch,SnowBuntings and one Blue Jay. Finally, I ducked in the van and headed for home.

The snow silvery white glistens under my feet

 Crunch,crunch sings the glimery substance

 Swish, Swish, sigh my shoes

 Light dances across the sparkly distance;

 Whirl, whirl the wind picks up the fluffy snow

 Shivers pass across my spine to the top of my neck

 The smell of crisp winter fills my nose

 Burrr, I tuck my chin under my scarf then treck.

 What a wonderful wintery scene abroad

 Many have prayed for this very day

 Please send us the white snow we love

 Oh how wonderful that it would stay!

Rebecca M

December 31

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. On this New Year’s Eve morning, the weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 34 degrees and no wind. Before descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I could see that most of the snow melted due to yesterday’s rain. Passing the pond, I noticed some pheasant tracks on the trail. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I welcomed the crunching sound as I walked over the crystalline snow. At the entrance to North Woods, I saw that the deer had been eating from a small pile of sugar beets we dumped there a few weeks ago. Next, I turned south and followed the trail to a serene Willow Wallow. Continuing around Succession Field, there was suddenly a flurry of bird activity on the edge of North Woods. Crows perched high while Bluebirds, Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers were flying low. I even got a brief glance at a Pileated Woodpecker. Next, I observed a tree on the edge of North Woods with an unusual shaped trunk. It appeared that earlier in its life a main branch had broken off and regenerated a new limb. I continued around the field and spotted a small pile of trash that had been there for years. The trash included a car tire, some galvanized sheet metal and an old rusty steel bucket. This site is a great visual prop for students to see how humans negatively impact the environment and how man-made products slowly decompose. Walking along the edge of South Woods, I recalled being surprised a few days ago at sighting a large deer lying in the field only 30 ft. away. It remained there as our eyes connected and I sensed that it knew I was a non-threatening observer and not a predator. I arrived at Artist Overlook and paused to gaze at a lifeless Sora Swale. I continued along the south trail, turned north at Frog Fen and climbed to the top of Reflection Hill where I looked over a deserted Grebe Pond. I walked down Reflection Hill and came to the Classroom Building where I noticed lots of Cottontail Rabbit tracks. These animals are active all year long, foraging mainly at night. Contrary to popular belief, they do not dig their own burrows. Instead they use natural cavities excavated by woodchucks or other animals. Brush piles and other areas of cover are often adequate alternatives. Rabbits have very keen sight and hearing. When danger is sensed, they will usually freeze in place. They normally move slowly in short hops or jumps, but when frightened they can run up to 18 mph. and often zigzag to confuse a pursuing predator. Winter is the most critical time period for them. When they have to forage far, they become vulnerable to predation. When snow covers the ground, these mammals become more exposed because they don’t turn white like their larger cousin, the Snowshoe Hare. Finally, my hike was over. With gratitude for another year of memorable hikes, I got in the van and took off for home.

Wide, sparkling fields snow-vestured lie
Beneath a blue, unshadowed sky;
A glistening splendor crowns the woods
And bosky, whistling solitudes;
In hemlock glen and reedy mere
The tang of frost is sharp and clear;
Life hath a jollity and zest,
A poignancy made manifest;
Laughter and courage have their way
At noontide of a winter's day.

Lucy Maud Montgomery s silhouettes

December 24

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The midday weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 32 degrees and a light wind out of the south. A light dusting of snow covered the ground. As I walked past the storage building, I was pleased to see that a 30 ft. wind turbine and 4x9 ft. solar panel had been installed at the crest of the hill. Also, electrical wire was buried underground to connect them to the Classroom Building. Before descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I faced southeast and acknowledged the sun for having reached its solstice a few days ago and for beginning its ascent toward the celestial equator. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed some pheasant tracks in the snow. I entered North Woods and paused on the long boardwalk where I was pleased to see about a foot of ice-covered water in the vernal pond. I recalled a year ago it was bone dry. Following the trail west, I was surprised to see a large maple tree had fallen just north of the trail. I walked over and estimated the diameter to be 18 inches at the base. I paced off the length to be 50ft. Also, I tried to imagine the loud sound it made as it crashed to the earth. Exiting North Woods, I continued around Succession Field. Hiking through the dense stand of birch trees, I heard a few crows off to the west. I entered South Woods and hiked past Swanson Swamp where I spotted some white bracket fungi growing on a dead aspen tree. Near the exit to the woods, I saw a large, light-colored rock on the forest floor. I got off the trail, walked over, wiped the snow off and decided it was made of fine-grain granite and was about 18 inches wide by 30 inches long. Continuing toward Artist Overlook, I turned north and headed to Willow Wallow. I walked east along the edge of the pond and climbed to the top of Reflection Hill. I hiked down the hill past Frog Fen and headed for Brady Cemetery. Pausing at the entrance to the cemetery, I marveled once again at the majestic White Pine trees. I tried to envision the vast tracts of Michigan that were covered by ancient old-growth forests of these trees. During the 19th century this tree provided the lumber for the building of the Midwest and prairie towns, and frequently was exported to European markets. It was also this tree that rebuilt Chicago after its great fire.By the end of this lumbering boom, logging had stripped 19.5 million acres of these trees, none of which was replanted and has been mostly replaced by beech and maple forests. Next, I passed the cemetery, entered Native Grassland and walked along the edge of Grebe Pond where I saw that about half of the surface was frozen over. Finally, I passed the barn and came to the Classroom Building.  Another hike was finished so I got in the van and took off for home.

On the first day of winter,


the earth awakens to the cold touch of itself.


Snow knows no other recourse except


this falling, this sudden letting go


over the small gnomed bushes, all the emptying trees.


Snow puts beauty back into the withered and malnourished,


into the death-wish of nature and the deliberate way


winter insists on nothing less than deference.


waiting all its life, snow says, "Let me cover you."

Laura Lush

December 17

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 26 degrees and no wind. Today, I planned to repeat the Reflection hill circuit that I did back in late July when the temperature was in the low 80’s.  I planned to walk slowly around the top of the hill with my binoculars and take in the sights and sounds of mid December while comparing them to last summer. Passing the Classroom Building, I hiked toward Reflection Hill and noticed 4 deer running along the south side of Mallard Marsh heading west. Arriving at the top of the hill, I paused, faced north and noticed the hillside in front of me was brown and bland compared to when the yellow flowers of Sweet Clover were blooming there in July. Many of the Autumn Olives bushes that were growing vigorously back then had been cut down. The surface of Mallard Marsh was visible once again since the dense stand of cattails that surrounded it had died and been leveled by the wind. Walking counterclockwise along the trail, I noticed the Canadian Thistle and Brome Grass that were evident last summer had died back.  Butterflies and dragonflies that were buzzing around me back then were nowhere to be found. Green Herons that often flew over my head from up here had long since migrated south. Looking west, the willows surrounding Willow Wallow were leafless with amber-colored terminal branches compared to their summer green of dense leaves. The silence surrounding me had replaced July’s songs of the Yellowthroat and Robin. Looking south, I noticed there were no longer seed heads of Timothy Grass, Orchard Grass, Rye Grass and Red Fescue that were in great abundance last summer. Far away, the neighbor’s field that was growing soybeans back then was now growing winter wheat. Continuing along, Yellow and Orange Hawkweed flowers that colored the trail back then were conspicuously absent. Looking north, Grebe Pond was quiet and empty compared to the buzz of activity last summer as Tree Swallows swooped to catch insects. The pond surface that was almost completely covered with green duckweed back then was now covered with a thin glaze of ice. The Great Blue Heron that waded in the pond back then was gone, having left to find open water. The water level that had gone down dramatically back then had returned to normal. Further to the north, Native Grassland was brown and barren compared to its summer whitish hue from abundant growth of Queen Anne’s lace. Following the path back to the starting point, I noticed the colorful Chicory and Milkweed blossoms of summer were dead and gone. I walked back down Reflection Hill, crossed the boardwalk and returned to the Classroom Building. Finally, another hike was finished so I got in the van and took off for home.

I love the snow, the crumpling snow

That hangs on everything,

It covers everything below

Like white dove's brooding wing,

A landscape to the aching sight,

A vast expanse of dazzling light.

It is the foliage of the woods

That winters bring—the dress,

White Easter of the year in bud,

That makes the winter Spring.

The frost and snow his posies bring,

Nature's white spurts of the spring.

John Clare