Traces of Spring

This afternoon, Kristine and I took a short walk in Marshall Park. We were hoping to see signs of the land coming back to life, though at this point, the preparations for that renewal are more evident.

A few weeks ago, walking past the area, I smelled smoke and wondered if the Parks Department was conducting one of the controlled burns they do periodically to manage invasive species. I now know the answer.



This burn appears much larger than one carried out a few years ago. Strips along several of the trails were burned, as well as larger patches, like the one above. The top of one of the hills near the center of the park appears to have burned over almost completely. Walking downwind from some of the larger burned zones, you could smell the ashes. It will be interesting to watch the burns recover, and see how they compare to unburned areas.

Here, we saw a young white pine that had been assailed by a randy buck last fall.



In another 6 weeks or so, his progeny should roaming these same woods with wobbly legs and wide eyes.

Garter snakes are already on the move. Four crossed our path during the hike, including one who was kind enough to stop for a photo:


There were fewer signs of life in the vegetable kingdom, and some of those were unwelcome ones. Buds on the smallest pink honeysuckes are starting to open into leaves. This one may be the liveliest shrub in the woods at the moment:


Pink honeysuckle is an invasive species that spreads and grows quickly, choking out other young trees. I might mention here that limbs of larger ones make decent campfire wood.

Another invasive plant, garlic mustard, is rearing its pernicious yet edible head:



Though I haven't tried it myself, I understand the leaves of this plant make a decent salad green. The aboretum at my university actually sponsors a garlic mustard cookout every spring in conjunction with a volunteer garlic mustard pulling workday.

Next Saturday, the Parks Dept. will hold a garlic mustard pulling event at Marshall Park, though I don't think any cooking is involved. I'm sure the authorities wouldn't mind if you took some home. Kristine and I plan to be there. The event begins at 9:30 AM, and if youre in the area, consider stopping by. If you can't make it on Saturday, visit the park (or any wild space near you) in the next month or so and fill up a bag on your own. (Here's what to look for.) I do that a few times each spring myself. It's a small gesture that prepares the way for a more diverse renewal of life in springs to come.

Tags: Nature; Spring