5 November

 Definitely a November day to visit the Forest and Wetlands.  After the previous day's wind and rain, the wind abated, but the rain persisted.  Despite the weather, it was a fine day to visit the forest.  I often wish that there were a way to record fragrances--it's now possible to add audio to the visuals in this blog, but the wonderful fresh scent of rainy woods can only be described.  

As a prelude to the visit, on a whim, I drove past the entrance to check out the Happy Cow Farm, just under a kilometer further along S. Hilliers Road.  My whim was rewarded:

There were about fifty trumpeter swans feeding in the farm's fields.  Two adults and three juveniles were feeding closer to the road.  

Back at the trailhead into the Forest, light rain began to fall, soaking the cat-tail mosses.

The seasonal abundance of fungi is beginning to diminish, although the jelly fungi have appeared.  This is either orange jelly fungus or witches butter.  It's hard to distinguish them without a hand lens, which I didn't have with me.

This banana slug seems to be investigating the staghorn fungus.

Ground foliage such as this vanilla leaf is adding autumn colour to the forest floor.

Cascara and the other deciduous trees have turned to gold, as well as the salmonberry vines.

At the Marsh,  Mount Arrowsmith was obscured by cloud.

It's warm enough that the snowpack of the previous week may have faded.  

The water level continues to rise.

I could hear ducks at the south end of the Marsh, but never saw them.  In any case, they seem to be taking up residence.  

There is a certain sombre beauty to the autumn browns and golds of the wetland vegetation.

Two eagles circled the Marsh, calling to one another.  One settled in a fir tree on the far side, possibly observing the ducks.

It was a quiet visit (apart from the mallards and eagles).  The rain was gentle, the light was soft.  

Not yet winter woods, but possibly autumn at its prime.  The Forest and Wetlands offers a variety of lovely gifts.