March 23, 2002
BRUCE TRAIL - off of Dunby
Road
Meeting report and photos by Alexis & Nathan Burnett
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The hike started out at the Bruce Trail entrance off of
Dunby Road. It was quite windy and very chilly the snow was blowing and we
were ready to start our hike. We started up the trail through the meadows
and into the pine forest. Once inside the dense forest it was much warmer.
The pines and cedars acted like a wind breaker.
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We climbed up the slight
slope and looked across out over the cedars, which were at eye level.
Shortly after we encountered deer browse on a few apple trees. This was
pretty neat and we spent a little bit of time talking about these browse.
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Following this, up the trail a little farther we
found the same browse only they were from our fury little rabbit
friend the cottontail.
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We followed the trail heading south
and in a patch of light snow we saw what looked to be robin tracks.
We figured that they were robin tracks for we saw many robins in the
area.
We also caught sight of what looked
to be a hare's paws. After close identification we found that it was
in fact a hare that left the 4 prints. |
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| The group also found a grouse
trail that lead into the bush we saw 3 grouse throughout the journey and
we were alarmed as all of them took off noticing us way before we noticed
them. In the forest we found many quills left from a porcupine, a well
known resident of the area. |
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Kyle found a neat hiding
spot/shelter under some roots. |
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Alexis spotted a very
big cedar in the forest that we all investigated. We crossed a few
nice
springs, some very clear and seemed quite clean and very beautiful. |
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In the marsh we found a very unusual looking plant
and it is the mystery plant of the hike, a few of us knew it and it
sat on the tips of our tongues but we couldn't put it to a name. Can
you?
(It's teasel).
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We began to walk back through the forest and out into the
open meadow where we saw many signs left by deer, cottontail, hare and
robins. As we reached the meadow the cold wind returned.
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We reached the cars and thought what a wonderful day
and recalled the many neat things that we discovered on our walk
today. We thank everyone who came out today and encourage others to
come on our next hike.
Spring Greetings.
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