18 February

 Despite it being only mid-February, I find myself looking for signs of spring in the Hamilton Marsh and Wetlands.  Changes aren't hasty in their arrival, but nevertheless, they are happening.  

Sunday saw another drizzly day, with occasional breaks in the cloud cover visible once we were at the Marsh.

As we entered the Forest, we saw that the remarkable bloom of fungus of the past season, which had dwindled in the winter, was making a return.

The varied and extensive climb up a dead alder has continued, with both moss and a variety of fungus making their way up the tree's remains. 

It looks as though a new bracket fungus has emerged to the right of the trunk.

The woodpecker stump continues to shrink. I'm settling bets with myself on the date it disappears completely.  (Readers:  contribute your bets, although there's no pay-off for the right date.)

The water level in the Marsh looked as though it had fallen slightly.

The waterfowl population was down, although it may have been an effect of the weather.

The cloudy sky over Arrowsmith showed the effects of weather and light.  The snow level remains worryingly high.   

Alder at the edge of the forest is beginning to show a faint blush.  

Although the water level was down in the Marsh, the open water reflected the marsh vegetation in the  morning light.  There were small white objects floating on the Marsh in the distance--too distant to identify.  I wonder whether they may have been swan feathers.  

The reflection of the sedges on the marsh were remarkably clear.

There were little patches of what appeared to be spawn floating near the dock.  (Not the most aesthetic photo I've ever taken, but possibly worth monitoring.)

Heading back to the parking area, we admired the growth of moss and lichen.

The tiny huckleberry (look closely unter the curved root) has persisted through the winter, despite a less than nurturant setting.  The white on the roots is a recent emergence of lichen. 

The fern-like growth on this log is actually a delicate and beautiful moss.  

Two mossy stumps appear to lean together for mutual support.

Seasonal change is slow in coming, but visible.  We'll look for what the next week brings.