Photo credit: R. Roberts. A full moon rising above a fine Wisconsin prairie.
Fireflies rising from prairie grasses – little flickers of earth-side starlight; soft, velvety nighttime air freed from the heat of the day; a glowing moon on the rise – a pendant hanging from a chain of stars.
These are summer evenings in their full grandeur. A perfect way to extend them, luxuriously past dusk, is to head out for a full moon hike. Several Chapters of the Ice Age Trail Alliance are honoring July’s full moon in this manner – happily leading hikes along various segments of the Ice Age Trail.
July’s full moon has several names attached to it – it’s been known as the Full Buck Moon since bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time and it’s also been called the Thunder Moon since thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.
Let’s hope the sky remains clear for a beautiful, gracious moonrise. Perhaps you’ll happen across a young buck grazing at the edge of the woods. Bring a flashlight, bring some friends, or come solo…be ready to savor a unique summer experience.
Three up-coming full moon hikes:
Brooklyn Wildlife Segment (Dane County): Monday, July 18th beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Milwaukee River Segment (Washington County): Tuesday, July 19th beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Gibraltar Segment (Columbia County): Wednesday, July 20th beginning at 7:00 p.m.