I’ve been getting up quite early so we can hit the trails before the heat gets too intense for Chuck. Today, I slept in. By the time we got to the parking lot at the Mastick picnic area in Rocky River Reservation, it was hot and humid. We headed into the woods. It was dim – illuminated with dappled sunlight – and emerald green. The path wound along near the river. Despite recent rains, the water was low. We could smell the rich scent of mud and the occasional reek of rotting fish. Chuck insisted that we go down the bank, so we scrambled over roots and picked our way over the rocks on the shore to a little spit of sand in the center of the river. The water gurgled and sparkled in the sun. A family of geese watched us from a nearby island. Chuck was so happy to wade in the cool water, lowering her head and scooping up mouthfuls as we walked.
Eventually, we made our way back to the trail and started back toward the car. I noticed a spot in the woods where a huge patch of ramps was blooming. Ramps are a wild onion that has become very popular among foodies. They have a charming flower that is a cluster of creamy blossoms. As I was focused on the ramps, Chuck found a toad on the forest floor. This time, she refrained from licking it. Thank goodness!
We emerged from the woods into a large mown field. Clover flowered everywhere. Barn swallows soared and swooped, feeding on the insects in the grass. I sat in the field and tried to snag a pick of the swallows in flight, but they didn’t like my intrusion. I still got a nice shot of the field meeting the woods.
