The Big Woods

Wednesday I went to a different trail. I was anxious to see this place as it is old growth forest. That is very, very rare in this part of the state. Almost everything around here is on land that has been lumbered at one time or another. I was very glad that I went.

To get to the old trees, I had to walk through a meadow. There was a well defined path, and it was a good thing that there was, because the meadow was just chocked full of poison ivy. Kim, you might not want to look at this picture, as it may start you itching all over again.



There were, of course, flowers in bloom and it was quite a beautiful sight.

Bladder Campion



Butterfly Weed



Lots of Cow Vetch



Another invader, but quite pretty -- Hoary Allysum -- It worries me to see this, because it is poisonous to horses.



Again, the entrance to the woods was very abrupt. You're in the meadow.



Then you turn around, and you're in the woods.



I hadn't gone very far on the path when I came to this step. At least this one wasn't wobbly.



You didn't have to go very far to see that this woods was different. The trees were huge, and the canopy stretched far above you. It was so thick that, even though it was raining, not a drop made it to the forest floor. Pictures don't do these trees justice. There is just no way to show you how big they are. All I can do is show you some pictures of trunks.






In the middle of the woods is a small swamp.



And, there in the swamp, a Mallard, paddling slowly, looking for food.



Even giants must fall, however.



And, where they fall, and some light gets in, new growth starts. Someday, maybe, there will be a new giant there.



And, some look like they are destined to die, like this tree, split in two places. Still, now, it is putting forth new growth, but, I suspect that, in time, infection of some kind will set in and the tree will die.



The floor of this forest is very free of undergrowth. I suppose it's because little light reaches there. So, I was very surprised to see, deep in the woods, this flower blooming. Help identifying it would really be appreciated. I looked at yellow wildflowers until my eyes were crossed. The closest I could come was pale hawkweed, but, that isn't supposed to bloom until July, and its leaves are toothed, while this plant's leaves are smooth. Even my Newcomb's Flower Guide failed me.



The feel in this woods is difference. You know that age, and history, surround you. Just think how many people must have walked there! I was filled with a feeling of great respect.

It seems, however, that not everyone feels that way. At the entrance to the woods is a sign, very large and easy to see that says "Pedestrians Only Beyond This Point." Yet deep in the woods I found bike ruts



Horse Plop (which I pushed off the trail as soon as I took this picture)



And, worst of all, junk. If you can't see this well, there, in a muddy spot is an empty cigarette pack and a pair of socks. Who in their right mind takes off their socks and drops them in the middle of the woods?



I wish I could have picked these up, but they were down a steep slope, and obviously thrown off of the bridge I was standing on.

But, of course, the main impression I came away with was one of incredible beauty. Enjoy.