Perfect, sunny weather and temperatures in the low 20’s for my first ever day of morning AND afternoon walks.
We had several lovely Heal-all plants today. Heal-all has been used medicinally for centuries. In fact, the entire plant, which is edible, can be used both internally and externally to treat a number of health complaints and wounds. The plant’s most common use is for the treatment of cold sores.
Other Botany:
Not too many birds, but we did have a Red-tailed Hawk fly over in the afternoon and heard repeated calls in the morning.
Species list: double-crested cormorant, red-tailed hawk, ring-billed gull, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, blue jay, American crow, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, gray catbird, northern cardinal, American goldfinch. (14 species)
Park scenes:
Black Swallowtail:
Today’s 10 am group:
1 pm group:
NATURE POETRY
“To A Butterfly” (1801)
I’VE watched you now a full half-hour;
Self-poised upon that yellow flower
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless!–not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!
This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister’s flowers;
Here rest your wings when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We’ll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we were young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.
STAY near me–do not take thy flight!
A little longer stay in sight!
Much converse do I find in thee,
Historian of my infancy!
Float near me; do not yet depart!
Dead times revive in thee:
Thou bring’st, gay creature as thou art!
A solemn image to my heart,
My father’s family!
Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,
The time, when, in our childish plays,
My sister Emmeline and I
Together chased the butterfly!
A very hunter did I rush
Upon the prey:–with leaps and springs
I followed on from brake to bush;
But she, God love her, feared to brush
The dust from off its wings. – William Wordsworth
Miles Hearn