23 December

 Two days after the Winter Solstice.  A fine morning to visit the Wetlands and Forest and watch changes in midwinter sunlight.  

I set out on a clear morning, with the special quality of light that only a winter morning can bring.

I think it's due to the low angle of the sun, illumining foliage and moss.

The heavy rains of the past week have suppressed the fungus growth, although a few remain present.  

This growth is puzzling.  I hope someone can explain it to me.  I think there are three different species present: a variety of polypore, a small, glossy something, and an orange fungus. I'm wondering if the polypore and the orange whatever are somehow related to the "poached egg fungus" we spotted the past weeks.

The "poached egg fungus" has now subsided to a leathery growth on the log, still with an orange "yolk. " 

Suggestions re identification will be gratefully received and incorporated into this blog.

The light changed as I approached the Marsh.  The earlier clarity of the sky subsided to a glowing overcast, with patches of mist shifting about the Marsh's surface.  

The water level has risen as the snow on the mountains melts.

I sat on the dock, drinking coffee from my thermos,

admiring the view, watching as the light and mist shifted.  

An assortment of ducks were visible in the distant south end of the marsh, including a pair of ring-necked ducks, a bufflehead, a goldeneye, and two mallards.  (At this season, I have to supress and urge to add, "and a partridge in a pear tree," even though there are neither partridges nor pear trees.)

As I sat, I was delighted to hear the wonderful notes of trumpeter swans.  

First  six appeared, then two, then twenty-two.  

They flew over the Marsh, headed southwards.

As I started to leave the dock, an harrier flew over the northwest of the Marsh.

I returned to watch as she hunted, diving repeatedly but without apparent success.  I couldn't identify her prey.  

There is never a dull morning in the HWF--this morning was truly glorious.