After work yesterday I stopped at the
Forest Hill Nature Area for a short walk. Located in Gratiot County, Forest Hill is own by the Gratiot Conservation District operated as a nature center by the Gratiot Isabella Regional Education Service District. Forest Hill is approximately 90 acres and consists of woodlands, restored wetlands and grasslands, and several restored farm buildings. A number of trails criss-cross the property.
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Trail Map at Forest Hill |
The weather was a little bit dreary for a walk, cold and windy, but the cloudy skies were great for photography.
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Cumulostratus clouds over "Mallard Marsh" |
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A Crab Apple tree silhouetted against the clouds |
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Clouds over "Grebe Pond" |
There was very little that indicated that the seasons have officially changed from Winter to Spring. With the exception of a few blades of grass, there is very little green to be found. Last year's flower stalks and seed heads still stand in the fields.
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The mostly empty seedpods of a dogbane plant - a few seeds can be seen clinging on |
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Last year's Purple Coneflowers have been picked over by birds |
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Empty flowers talks and grass seedheads in the native grassland planting |
The branches of trees and shrubs remain bare of leaves, exposing evidence of browsing, flaws, and bird nests.
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Red-osier Dogwood - almost every branch had been nipped off by deer |
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"Witches brooms" on willow shrubs - this irregular growth can be caused by many things including fungi |
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A closer look at some "Witch's broom" |
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Last year's goldfinch nest |
For most of my walk I avoided the groomed trails and followed deer trails or walked across the open fields.
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A well-traveled deer trail through a low swampy area |
By walking off of the trails I was able to find a few views that were new to me, as well as a few small surprises.
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This wetland area is known as "Sora Swale" - the trail around follows the high ground to the rear |
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A dead snag, occupied by shelf fungi, and excavated by a woodpecker |
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A small Eastern White Pine seedling establishing itself in the meadow |
One thing that did indicate that the seasons have actually begun to change was the presence of birds. Everywhere I looked (or listened) there were birds to be found.
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A pair of Canada Geese winging overhead |
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The same pair of geese coming in for a landing |
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A different pair of geese in "Sora Swale" - to the left you can see three Wood Ducks taking off |
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The Wood Ducks flying away |
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A Canada Goose calling loudly as it circles |
Most of the birds that I saw were expected (Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Crows, etc.), but there was one unexpected species. In the middle of Grebe Pond, was a single male Greater Scaup. This species of duck, commonly called a Bluebill, is only found in Michigan during the Spring and Fall migration periods. I watched this duck for about 20 minutes as it repeatedly dove below the surface of the pond in search of food. This duck was careful to keep at least 3/4 of the width of the pond between us and I was never able to get a good photograph.
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A single Greater Scaup drake |
I think I could have probably sat for hours waiting for this duck to move closer with no results. Eventually I had to pick up my camera and head for home, leaving Forest Hill to the birds.