24 April

 We returned to the forest and wetlands on a mild day.  Spring seems finally to have come to the area, later than on the coast, but showing new growth and the return and re-emergence of wildlife.  It feels as though if there were a theme for this blog, it would be "Emergence."




Sun and cloud combined to light the forest and marsh.



Elegant scrolls of new fern growth are appearing.



 


Vanilla leaf is still a bit sparse, but will increase in the coming warmth and sun.  



White trillium is scattered throughout the forest,


and the deep pink of salmon berry blossoms has appeared, just this past week.


The sapsucker continues to feed her young.  The symmetrical nest hole is sapsuckers' achievement--how do they manage the perfect shape?

Approaching the marsh,


the frog chorus continues to celebrate the coming season.  The marsh is becoming more green than golden.


At the south end of the marsh, beavers have built their lodge.  They are crepuscular, creatures of the dawn and dusk, mostly, but perhaps one day we'll see one.  


Vegetation is increasing in the marsh.   In coming visits, we'll se this  bog bean  bloom with white, star-shaped flowers.    





We've yet to identify these little orange discs...(advice would be most welcome!)



The first red-winged blackbird of the season welcomed us with song.



Back in the forest, we marvelled at the alder's vitality.  New shoots are emerging from a downed log, which also hosts a growth of moss.

With warmer weather and sun forecast for coming days, new growth and new arrivals will await us next week.













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