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6, 12, 19 September

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Three visits as Autumn approaches a very dry Forest and Wetlands. Swordfern is definitely suffering from the drought. The Marsh looks as though it's been baked. In fact, it's almost a misnomer to call it a "wetlands,"  Perhaps "mudpatch" is a clearer description.   The water gauges show the lowest level I've ever seen. Arrowsmith is completely devoid of snow.   The paths into the Marsh reflect the drought, but are beginning to show some fungi. This gilled polypore is growing quite energetically. The yew tree that we've been watching looks somewhat revived--there has been a bit of rain, which may have perked it up somewhat. The alder that hosts an assortment of biodiversity reflects the dryness. I had been pleased to see the licorice fern growing from its trunk, but it's now looking worrisomely dry. In the Forest, sunlight gleams through moss. Beyond the edges of the Loop Path, areas of bracken fern are drying. Sparse fungi is appearing on trees ...
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29, 30 August

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  There are two paths leading into what is now called the Hamilton Marsh Regional Park and Conservation Area.   Until this past weekend I've consistently used the second trail.  Preliminary investigations during wetter seasons had shown the first to be very boggy.  Moreover, until recent work on the trail maintenance, the first path was blocked by blowdowns and demanded more effort and bushwhacking than I found safe to pursue.  But after our dry summer (an ill wind blows nobody good?) I reckoned that the path would be dry, and I knew that the trails have been cleared--mostly. So this past Saturday I explored the first trail.  I'd been told that it was even more beautiful than the second, and I concur. Initially, there is an unfortunate amount of litter at the trailhead--it appears to be a popular destination for messy partying.  After a short walk, however, the parties apparently subside, and stands of cedar, hemlock and douglas fir appear. At som...
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8, 15 August

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  Even when warm, August can have a hint of the autumn to come.  There were signs in the Forest this visit.  Patches of bracken fern are turning gold. Salal berries are ripe and tasty. The water level in the Marsh continues to sink.   Despite the warm morning, the dock remained a fine place to sit, admire the view, and enjoy a cheese sandwich and coffee.  Arrowsmith is now all but completely bare of snow. Leaving the dock, I took the loop trail, counter-clockwise.  The foliage is often quite different from that along the main trail. Birds will enjoy the fruit that is ripening in the cascara near the Marsh.  Along the trail, foliage is lush and mossy. A relatively uncommon (in this forest) licorice fern has sprouted from an also relatively uncommon sitka spruce. Since the forest was logged about 100 years ago, there are many nurse stumps, nurturing a variety of species. Salal and cedar appear to be a popular pairing. Deer fern appear along the wett...
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2 August

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  The summer has been comparatively mild, but the Forest and Wetlands still show stress.   Yew trees are uncommon in the Forest, and we've been watching this specimen with interest.  Unfortunately it looks as though it's feeling the lack of moisture.   Foam flowers are beginning to go to seed. It had rained during the night, and there was refreshing moisture in patches. A young cascara is flourishing despite the stresses of summer. We were happy to meet up with Ceri Peacey, the leading voice for the preservation of the Wetlands and Forest, and Obi, her sometimes reactive Australian Shepherd.   We had a pleasant chat, and Obi sat calmly throughout our visit.  We all told him he was a Good Dog!  I'm quite certain he needs to hear that. By the Marsh, the twinflower is leafing out--it had diminished in the course of trail maintenance earlier in the season. The sky promised rain, but unfortunately nothing fell where we were. The water level i...
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