1 September

 September is off to a very fine start.  Warm, but with a friendly breeze and clear skies.

It was a great morning in the Forest and Wetlands--we even chanced the loop trail, which is often impassably boggy in wet weather.  The Forest Gnomes appeared to have been busy, and it was relatively clear of scratchy undergrowth.

The path has quite different vegetation from the main trail, including stands of western hemlock.

Unlike Douglas fir, hemlock and Sitka spruce are often festooned with moss.  

Much of the area along the loop path is damp, and hosts different species of vegetation.  Deer fern doesn't appear along the main path, but is present on the loop.

Trees host a variety of mosses, lichens, fungi, and slime molds

A group of false chanterelles.

It's apparent that stumps host insects as well.

Bird populations have been active in the trees.  It's interesting to note the moss growth along with the woodpecker work.

Red-breasted sapsuckers nest in the forest.  Their work is distinctive, as is the black lichen on this, and several other trees.

The salal grew high along the path as it approached the Marsh.  It produced more abundant and tastier fruit than I've found on Vancouver Island.

Perhaps there was more light in this environment.

The Marsh welcomed us, as it usually does.  The water level has continued to sink.

The last of the spirea bloomed offshore.

Arrowsmith now bare, awaits the snow of the coming winter.

A very small frog cooperated with photos.  Its markings don't look typical of bullfrogs--we can hope it's one of the surviving native species.

The skies and the Marsh look to be taking on the colours of autumn.

The dock and the bench were very welcoming--with a pleasant breeze and just enough warmth in the sun to feel amiable.  But we could hear the sound of a woodpecker back in the woods, and finally our curiousity overcame the pleasure of absorbing the ambience.  

We set out, and my walking partner spotted her...

...a female pileated woodpecker, who appeared to be in her final, definitive molt.  

She pecked away diligently, and provided a couple of useable photos.

Judging by the number of trees that show distinctly pileated drilling, the species abounds in the Forest, but spotting them isn't a frequent bit of luck. We were happy to see her, working away on a Douglas fir.

Is it our imagination, or are the banana slugs getting bigger, and (very relatively) speedier? 

This had to be a trophy slug!  

There is always much to be seen in this varied and vital environment.  It will be good to watch as the season changes.