St. Steven's Bog: The First Walk

St. Steven's Bog: The First Walk

March 10, 2018

It is one thing to go on a walk in the woods.

It's another to go with someone who knows those woods intimately, who cares for it as his own home, who cares for its denizens as friends and family, and to go with someone who knows the history of the place almost as well as his own personal story.

The dam, built by a former resident many years ago

Richard and I went to help our friend Steve with a project at his property in Bloomington, Indiana. Afterward, he took us on a much anticipated tour of what he lovingly calls “St. Steven's Bog” - the wild areas around and near his house. It is almost hard to believe this place exists here, near all the hustle and noise of shops, apartment buildings, very busy roads, and other relative assaults on the landscape.

But, there it is – rising hills, steep ravines, great trees, and a bubbling creek rushing and wandering around rocks, glittering brightly in the sun. And all protected.

An esker-like formation built by stream currents

I have never before walked with someone who speaks of forest spaces as “rooms” and “The Cathedral”, and who speaks of a place in the forest as “where the real magic is.” Yes, it is magic. And we were having a tour of the magic rooms of Steve's forest house. There was majesty, and holiness.

The "feet" of an American Beech tree

Could fairies live here?

A walk with Steve brought me back to the magical way I experienced such places during my childhood – a way of looking at nature that we should never leave behind.

St. Steven's Bog is a refuge for wildlife from the noise and danger of the enclosing spaces in surrounding areas. Within the forest we could all but forget that those noises and things existed – and so could the wildlife. Steve often shares photos and videos of deer that nestle into spots in the “bog” - fawns, yearlings, does, and big bucks. There are also photos of red foxes, squirrels, woodpeckers and other wildlife going about their business. On our walk that day, there were many signs of wildlife activity.

Paw-paw seeds left on the bridge by an animal what enjoyed the juicy fruit

Nutshells left on the dam by another animal

Squirrel's nest - way up there

Are these deer scratches on this American Beech tree?

Woodpecker holes

This will not be the only time we, or I, walk St. Steven's Bog. I look forward to wandering this place again in different seasons, to seeing the forest closing in during the summer (when a person could lose a sense of direction,) to the creek changing in strength and luster through the year.

And, hopefully, to spending some quiet, very still time there. Maybe the forest denizens, who feel welcome here in St. Steven's Bog, will feel safe enough to come close to me.

Harbinger-of-Spring in bloom

Virginia Bluebell plants coming up

Bird's Nest fungi