Niagara Falls Slough Forest-Treasure
House of Secrets / Dr. John Bacher
The best way to understand the reality of what has been
named the Niagara Falls Slough Forest through the provincial
wetland evaluation which six years ago rescued it from being
wiped out is to see it as a Treasure House. Those who come
out and experience it will receive a profound treasure, but
not the crude and ugly lucre of pirates’ buried pits.
The word awesome is commonly overused but it is a good
description for what one may see in treasure house. When
crossing over a stone bridge on Ramsey Road investigating
the area in the spring of 2007 I was stunned to look below.
For the first time in my life I saw an explosion of what seemed
to be well over a hundred frogs leap below. This is the first
place I ever encountered a vernal pool. What stunned me is
how they are lined with massive Pin Oaks standing as
formidable towering sentries to protect the frog and
salamanders that breed in them when full with snow melt
water. In the early spring they are the scene of a symphonic
frog chorus which diminishes when one gets too close for the
comfort of the frogs. Frogs also jump along the unnamed
stream that lines the eastern edge of the forest, free from
dangers of their most significant natural predator, fish. During
winter chickadees seem to chirp and skate on the frozen icy
pools.
Walks in the woods here are commonly rewarded with
glimpses of Downey and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers dancing in
trees, and Turkey Vultures soaring overhead. Here you can
see rare wild Honey Locusts, guarded by massive spike like
thorns intended to protect them from long exterminated
Ground Sloths and Mammoths. The forest floor is blanketed
with Wild Geranium, Trout Lilly and May Apple. I have
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