11 November

A visit to the Forest and Wetlands between downpours and wind.  Once again, I detoured a bit to the Happy Cow Farm, and sure enough, the swans were still in the farm fields.

 The small group nearest the road have obviously been feeding on the grasses in muddy fields.

Given that swan identification includes the colouration of their beaks, these birds' beaks, coated in mud,  would complicate  identification.  The younger bird really doesn't have a dark head--he's just muddy. Notwithstanding that, their call is unmistakably that of trumpeter swans.

The Forest has definitely received heavy rain.  Next week, I think I'll wear gumboots--my supposedly waterproof hiking boots didn't live up to their claims.

  I'd taken a little side-trip to explore the first path, where it joins with the way into the marsh.  It isn't entirely passable, but it's rewarding to take a look at it, now and then.

The woods are now crossed by streams, some quite lively.

The fungus crop is diminishing, but there are some interesting remnants.

iNaturalist tells me that this is candlesnuff fungus.  It has just appeared this past week.

This cluster of sulfur tufts (I think...?  again, on consulting iNaturalist) is growing on a stump at the point where the two forest paths converge.

The "muppet stump" is shaggier than ever, and sits by the path with its jaw agape.

The morning was mostly overcast and dark, but occasional bursts of sunlight illumined the path,

and set the cat-tail moss gleaming.

The forest was quiet, mostly.  There was a small flock of golden-crowned kinglets, and marsh wrens among the sword fern, but neither cooperated with photos.

Approaching the Marsh, the willow and hardhack are now golden.

The water level in the Marsh continues to rise.  

Mount Arrowsmith showed new snow, although the peaks were hidden in cloud.

The view back from the dock shows the autumn changes.

Weather permitting, back  next week, wearing gumboots.