22 September

 During our recent visit to Hamilton Wetlands and Forest the threatening weather held off.  There's been enough rain to nurture a variety of fungi, but the woods still look dry,


the deciduous bracken ferns have dried,

and the water level in the Marsh continues to sink.



We've had two reports of bear sightings in recent weeks.  Although we've yet to see one, there is certainly evidence of their activity in the Forest.  They're pulling bark off trees and tearing stumps apart in search of grubs.  




A variety of fungi have emerged.

Some mushrooms in groups,




some singly or in pairs.

Brittlegills, as is true of many of the genus russula, are strikingly coloured.  


A panther agaric was just emerging.


Miniscule mushrooms emerge from fir cones.



Two new species of polypore (to me, at least) have appeared.  

I stand to be corrected, but I think this is Dyer's polypore--apparently emerging from the ground, from the root of a nearby conifer.


Red-belted conks appear in a variety of colours--I've never seen this before.  It's curious the way it appears to be sweating, as well.


The combination of moss and alder provides dramatic real estate for cavity-dwelling species.


Approaching the dock, we were scolded by a Douglas's squirrel, very vocal, but alas, not visible.  Nevertheless, unmistakably squirrel invective.  

The Marsh is taking on a sombre tint.  


It shows well against the grey autumn sky and the scattering of pondweed.  It's unfortunate that Claude Monet never visited our Marsh--he would have loved it and we would have gained some fine paintings.  

We sat, quietly on the bench, listening to birds that the Magical Merlin App* identified as song sparrows, common yellowthroats, and Bewick's wrens.  Audubon cautions us not to list these unless we manage a visual confirmation, and I concur, ever since Merlin identified me as a spotted towhee.  (I was stifling a sneeze as I had the Magical App open.)  Moral:  don't believe everything an app tells you.

Regardless, it was a fine morning, sitting and soaking up the view and the intermittent birdsong.

We left the dock, past the dry cedars,


and down the path.  




The Forest and Wetlands has something to teach us every week.  We'll look forward to our return.




*https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ 




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