17 July

 For some years, it has seemed to me that the peak of summer, usually mid-July, is a relatively quiet time for nature.   Perhaps it's a matter of conservation of energy against the heat of the days.  Or perhaps the energy of spring and early summer growth has been largely depleted, and the world is stilled.

On our walk this morning, we remarked that birdsong, which had been very evident in past visits, had fallen quiet, both in the forest and in the marsh.  There was an occasional croak from a raven, but little else to be heard.   

The drought is, in all likelihood, also a factor.  The woods are tinder dry, and the waters of the marsh are subsiding.  

There had been a forecast of a chance of rain, but nothing materialised.

Back in the woods, there is evidence of bear activity.

This Douglas fir must have had some sort of infestation that weakened it.  It looked to have been pushed over, and the remaining stump and the bark that had been at the base have been scraped and pawed in search of grubs.

A variety of mosses and at least one lichen are at home on this tree trunk.  

They, too, look as though they are dry, although they can withstand a good deal of drying out.  Although they are dry, they will regenerate at the first rain.

Sword fern and trailing blackberry still look fairly fresh, although there looks as though there is mildew forming on the leaves of the blackberry.

The curious-looking flowers of the pathfinder appear to be mostly bloomed out, but retain their odd structure.

On reading various botanical sources, I find that the tiny white globe in the centre of the propeller-looking growth is in fact the flower, and the green bits are the plant's fruit.   I have yet to determine what the little bits sticking out from the end of each fruit is.  They're identified as "glands," but their function isn't really clear.    The above photo also shows the remaining foam flowers, and a deer fern that I'd not noticed when I took the picture.  There's always so much to see, even in a very small space within this forest. 

These ripening berries, on a trailing blackberry vine, are more easily recognisable as fruit.

They are the native species of blackberry, small, but very sweet.

Hemlock is uncommon but occasionally present in these woods.  Like the blackberry foliage, there appears to be mildew on some of these branches.

The vegetation in the marsh is drying.

Arrowsmith was only partly visible, and showed a very small patch of snow.

There were no birds visible at the marsh, but an unwelcome species was present in the water.

This very big tadpole will grow into an introduced and invasive bullfrog.

We sat watching for birds and insects for some time, and finally this common whitetail dragonfly appeared and sat on the dock.  

Leaving the marsh, we spotted a hornet's nest.

I saw one described recently as "the worst piñata ever."  

The tiny huckleberry plants continue to develop on a mossy stump by the path. 

A small red-belted polypore has developed on a log beside the path.

It is easily spotted by the path.  It will be interesting to watch its development.