May 29

Friday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 61 degrees and a gentle southerly breeze. From the crest of Energy Hill looking west, I noticed the taller leafed-out willows next to Mallard Marsh now blocked by view of Bobolink Meadow and North Woods. Descending the hill past Mallard Marsh, I hiked through Bobolink Meadow where most Dandelions had gone to seed and young Milkweed plants were now showing up as part of green vegetation. After entering North Woods and following the trail to the west, I paused at the large vernal pond while waving at one of several swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes that followed me. Leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where the raspberry bushes were blossoming and a couple of Whitetail deer were watching me from a distance. Passing through South Woods, I stopped at the boardwalk where the invasive pondweed, Watermeal covered the surface of Swanson Swamp. Near the exit to the woods, I spotted a White Wave moth resting on a leaf of a Hickory seedling next to some Poison Ivy. Turning east and then south, I passed Artist Overlook and followed south trail around Sora Swale where I saw some blue Bugleweed near the ground. I continued east, turned south at Frog Fen and circled past Brady Cemetery into Native Grassland where I observed a brightly colored male House Finch. Continuing north, I stopped at the Palmer Rock Collection to check out a Killdeer nest in one of the rock piles that we have been watching for several days. Continuing north to Grebe Pond, I saw a family of Canada Geese near the shore and a male Goldfinch out in the field. Finally, we headed north past the barn to the car and took off for home.

Start of the day

Trail’s the way

Willows sway

Noisy Blue Jay

Catbird of gray

Hawk will prey

Fawns will play

Green will stay

Nature’s display

Farewell to May

D. DeGraaf

May 22

Friday, Remi remained at home while I hiked again at Forest Hill Nature Area. The late morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 53 degrees and a steady breeze from the north. At the crest of Energy Hill, the grass-covered trail to the west awaited me. Descending the hill approaching Mallard Marsh, I turned north off the trail to a spot where earlier in the week we discovered a Redwing Blackbird nest, well hidden in the cattails. Back on the trail, I proceeded through Bobolink Meadow where the Autumn Olive was blossoming. Turning into North Woods that was now well shaded by the leafed out deciduous trees, I admired the forest floor colored by blossoms of Wild Geranium and Blue Phlox. Exiting the woods into Succession Field, I paused to enjoy first the sound and then the sight of a Baltimore oriole perched high in a tree. Circling the field, I paused on the west trail where hundreds of tiny Basswood Leaf Miners were busy feeding on the leaves. I entered South Woods and crossed the first boardwalk where I noticed some of the Mayapple plants were blossoming. Walking quietly into Swanson Swamp on our new boardwalk, I was pleased to spot a large Blanding Turtle, only the 2nd one I’ve ever seen at the Nature Area. After leaving the woods, I passed Artist Overlook where a Choke Cherry tree was in bloom and turned east on the south trail where a King Bird was perching on a blossoming Hawthorn tree. Turning south at Frog Fen, I headed toward Brady Cemetery where the Red Osier Dogwood shrubs were blossoming. Passing the cemetery, I turned north into Native Grassland and stopped at the rock collection area where unfortunately a Killdeer had made a nest in an area we planned to use next week for our rock & mineral study. Continuing north around Grebe Pond, I headed toward the parking lot where I could see how the leafed out Aspen trees almost completely block my view of the barn. Finally, I found my car and headed home.

From life’s hectic pace

Forest Hill’s a calming place

Away from the concrete

South Woods is my retreat

From a busy city scene

Bobolink Meadow green

From a noisy crowded room

Field where flowers bloom

From loud traffic sounds

Oriole song surrounds

When commotion captures me

Mother Nature sets me free

D. DeGraaf

May 12

Tuesday, Remi stayed home while I hiked again at Forest Hill Nature Area. I exited the car and while walking over to Energy Hill was greeted by overcast skies, a blustery west wind and a temperature of 50 degrees. From the crest of the hill, the landscape to the west continued to green up, helped along by two prior days of steady rain. Descending the hill to Mallard Marsh, I spotted the resident Canada goose family swimming peacefully and was pleased that all four goslings had survived so far despite being vulnerable to predators like hawks and foxes. Proceeding through Bobolink Meadow, I noticed several Wild Mustard plants were beginning to display their yellow blossoms. I entered North Woods where Horsetail was sticking up through some of the standing water and both purple and yellow Violets were scattered among the leaf litter. Continuing on the flooded trail, a patch of Sensitive Ferns and a Jack-in-the-pulpit caught my eye. Leaving the woods, I circled Succession Field where one of the Burr Oak trees was flowering as well as leafing out. Just off the trail hugging the ground, Wild Strawberries were starting to blossom. I entered South Woods and followed the trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp. After exiting, I turned east and immediately noticed a blossoming Apple tree. I took my usual route past Sora Swale and followed the south trail toward Frog Fen. Next, I continued past Brady Cemetery, through Native Grassland and came to the south edge of Grebe Pond where I heard the distinctive chirp of a Sora Rail nesting in the cattails. A little farther down the trail, I spotted a newly constructed Robin’s nest in a small oak tree and nearby, the bird that I assumed would be laying her eggs in it soon. Arriving at the barn, I spotted the large leaves of a Burdock plant before making it to the car and heading home.

Morning in May

Mid forest scenes

Nature’s tapestry

Array of greens

Leaves and needles

Stems and blades

Different hues

Different shades

Color of life

Green of spring

Above and below

Green is king

D. DeGraaf

May 6

Wednesday, Remi and I hiked again at Forest Hill Nature Area. We exited the car at 7:30am and proceeded west to the crest of Energy Hill where the skies were overcast, the air was calm and the temperature was 48 degrees. Descending the hill to Mallard Marsh, I paused to observe another sign of spring-a nesting pair of Canada Geese with 4 fuzzy goslings. Passing quickly through Bobolink Meadow, I entered North Woods where the leaf litter was dotted with Spring Beauty wildflowers whose petals remained closed as the morning clouds shielded the sun. Continuing west, I spotted a patch of umbrella-like May apple plants. Leaving the trail, I continued west to a patch of Wild Leeks where I was pleased to locate the only Trillium plants found at the Nature Area with their white blossoms that had not yet been eaten by the deer. I exited the woods and proceeded around Succession Field on the west trail where a Serviceberry tree was blossoming. I turned east through Birch Row, entered South Woods and paused at the end of the new boardwalk on secluded Swanson Swamp to take in the sights and sounds of the season. Leaving the woods, I stopped briefly at Artist Overlook to observe Sora Swale before continuing on south trail where the feather-like leaves of young Wild Carrot plants were beginning to show. Turning south at Frog Fen, I passed Brady Cemetery, turned north into Native Grassland and stopped to check out Grebe Pond which was vacant except for a pair of Canada Geese swimming quietly near the west shore. Continuing north, I came to the barn and I circled around to the east side to see a patch of colorful Ground Ivy, also known as gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, and run-away-robin. Continuing around to the north side, I noticed the lovely blossoms of a domestic cherry tree. Finally, we returned to the car for our trip home.

Fond farewell to April

Welcome May to greet

Heart of Mother Nature

Slowly begins to beat

Dormant earth awakens

To the rhythm of spring

Forest blossom buds

Meadow songbirds sing

Swallows swoop the pond

Raindrops tap the leaves

Drumming of the Downy

Greening shrubs and trees

D. DeGraaf

April 30

Thursday, Remi and I traveled 13 miles southwest of Alma to the small village of Sumner and hiked on the Walking Trail in Centennial Park. We stepped out of the car around 7:30am to overcast skies, still air and a chilly temperature of 36 degrees. Near the trail entrance, I paused to take in the sights and sounds of the Pine River that flowed south along the park’s western border. I followed the path north along the river flats where several Skunk Cabbage plants were popping up through the leaf litter. I paused by a young plant, broke off some leaves and smelled the “rotting flesh” odor that gave it the name. Surprisingly, the stench is quite beneficial to the plant's survival as it discourages animals from eating its leaves and disturbing the wetland habitat it prefers. The smell also attracts bees and flies that act as its pollinators. Besides the putrid smell, they are one of the few plants that exhibit thermogenesis, meaning they have the ability to raise their own temperature. Much like a warm-blooded mammal, the plant can raise its temperature well above the outside temperature during the day and night. This attribute allows the plant to melt its way through snow and frozen ground. Continuing on the trail, some very white bracket fungi caught my eye. As the path circled back to the south, I spotted several patches of my first spring wildflower, called Bloodroot. I pulled up a few to observe the red sap on the roots from which it is named. Native Americans once used this sap for dyes. The rootstock is caustic and poisonous if ingested, but has been used medicinally for its antiseptic and emetic properties. Continuing south, I noticed the Honeysuckle bushes along the trail were beginning to leaf out and green up the woodland. Nearing the car, I scanned a tall tree where a Chipping Sparrow was singing loud and clear. After much searching, I barely spotted it among the dense branches with its rust-colored crown and thin black, eye patch. Finally, we got in the car and headed east toward Alma.

Where’ve you been

Where will you go

Staying the course

Pine River, flow

Channel is full

Current is slow

Life giving source

Pine River, flow

Wisdom of your waters

I long to know

Nature’s treasure

Pine River, flow

D. DeGraaf