Hamilton Wetlands and Forest

Autumn's presence has deepened in the Forest and Wetlands.  The sun's brilliance glows in the Forest, while the path shows patches of light along the trees and bordering vegetation. As is the way in autumn, fungi are becoming abundant.  A variety of bracket fungus are emerging. Sulfur tuft fungi cluster. Candlesnuff fungi  and club-like tuning fork are appearing on downed logs. False chanterelles sprout along the trail, not wholesome but showy. Although rain has fallen, the Marsh remains dry.   The border foliage is showing autumn colours.  Unoccupied duck boxes await spring visitors. Two great blue herons appear to have taken up residence near the Marsh.  One sat on the dock, scouting for a meal. Despite the dry season, the vitality of the Forest has persisted. Growth on a nurse stump flourishes. Many of the snags in the Forest nurture abundant growth.  This not-quite-dead alder is host to a variety of vegetation, and (although not observed just ...

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 ...

  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...