our day in the baraboo hills started in earnest at baxter’s hollow, a broad gorge formed in the bluffs by otter creek with the largest stretch of unbroken forest in southern wisconsin—almost 6,000 acres, some still held in private hands. a rugged path marches thru the main site, but it feels very remote inside.

snow fell much of the time, but the sun peeked out toward the end of our hike. then we spent some time down by otter creek as we made our way out. a serious sanctuary for many aquatic insects, wildflowers, mammals, and especially birds who live away from edges. we exulted in the quartzite.

first id of hermit thrush—saw a few!

a.

marsh marigold fresh

into bloom

along the spring run

b.

under a light snow

moss growing

on tumbled quartzite

c.

in the leaf-bare wood

hermit thrush

flits from branch to branch

d.

reaching out fair limbed

under clouds

the oak against time

e.

below the white pines

the otter,

a wary spider

and now, the liverwort we found by otter creek, up late this year it seems: