ferns

the arbor ridge segment of the ice age trail (wisconsin’s state-wide trail more or less along the terminal moraine of the wisconsin glacier) goes thru my hometown of janesville. found out a few years ago that the ‘arbor ridge’ segment runs thru land that used to belong to my wife’s great grandfather. they used to run cattle there.

a beautiful walk on easter, tho the rain started coming down pretty good about half-way thru. can tell they didn’t plough due to the rue anemones all over–though i suppose you’d know from the steep ravine anyway. first id of carolina wren, and fun to realize that her great grandfather knew these trees (at least one massively old oak) and marsh creek.

rue anemones

in full bloom

while the others rest

carolina wren

singing out

beyond the railroad

this small wood surrounding a stretch of spring brook (a tributary stream of the rock river that flows thru janesville, wi) is not large, but dense enough to feel fairly remote when in the interior during late spring to fall. this was my usual haunt during late middle school thru high school, where we came to read and write and walk, sit and wonder. i thought it was part of palmer park across the road until looking it up for this—apparently this section across from palmer drive is not part of the park and doesn’t have a name on any map i can find. ???!!!

a brilliant evening walk w/ my dad, the air heavy with stream-scent and dame’s rocket, which has taken over a good portion of the understory. swaying and scenting. first id’s of chain speedwell, hackberry, bedstraw, bur reed sedge, balsam ragwort, and lady fern! not bad for a place i used to spend so much time. i wonder who lived here back then?