21 October
Our visit to the Hamilton Wetlands and Forest followed on two days of atmospheric river--record-breaking rainfall along coastal British Columbia and unseasonably mild temperatures. The Monday following the weekend's dramatic weather was quite pleasant, but the effects of the disruption were apparent.
The huckleberry are still fruiting, while the bracken fern is now dying back, producing a striking backdrop for the berry bushes.
The autumn foliage gleamed in the morning light.
After the days of heavy rain, we agreed to give the loop path (often very boggy) a miss.
The wild weather had brought down a tree that had been a favoured nest site for a red-breasted sapsucker.
Here's the tree, inhabited two years ago:
The warm, wet weather had brought up an abundance of fungi. Reviewing Mackinnon and Luther's Mushrooms of British Columbia, these jelly fungus appear to be what are called "spirit gummy bears."
I'd known of LBBs --"Little Brown Birds," for years, but I have only recently come across the no less useful term "LBMs"--Little Brown Mushrooms.
Here is a nice family grouping of LBMs reflecting in a vernal pond:
There was a good showing of spindles and coral fungi.
Moss had recently sprouted its capsules.
Near the Marsh, colourful Saskatoon bushes stood before alders and Western crabapple.
The Marsh, alarmingly low in past weeks, was replenished by the rains.
Here is the water level gauge on October 12th:
and here it is, on the 21st.
The open water is attracting waterfowl. We watched as mallards sized up landing areas
and a flight of Canada Geese produced their characteristic clamor.
A northern harrier surveyed the marsh for prey, but was too distant to produce a recognisable photo.
The higher water level left us reassured.
Now we shall wait for some cooler weather and snow on Arrowsmith.
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