30 March, 4 april

 It was an exceptionally still and dark morning as we entered the Hamilton Forest.


The season is warming up, but heavy rainfall has kept the forest foliage and paths soggy.  Slugs find these conditions inviting--they're putting in their first appearances of the season.


They seem to be moving even more slowly than their usual sluggish (sorry!) pace.  Perhaps cooler temperatures affect them. Slugs and other creatures will feed on the newly emerging fungi.

Showy false turkey tails are appearing.


We've watched this elder snag  nurturing a growth of bracket fungi for the past two years.  It shrank a bit in the drier season last summer, but looks to be re-establishing itself, accompanied by a strand of trailing blackberry.


Skunk cabbage is beginning to emerge in the streams and ephemeral ponds.


Slime molds are appearing on soil and many downed logs.  This poetically named "dog vomit slime mold" is luxuriant (if that's the term?).


Elderberry is beginning to leaf out.


The frog chorus was a bit more subdued than last week, possibly due to the dull weather.  The water level remains high.


The bird population at the south end of the marsh was not in evidence this week.  Fringe vegetation is showing its colour, and the reeds and sedges are green at their lower growth.



We've often seen a pair of eagles on this tree top.  


Today, one (I'd guess the male--the female does most of the construction) was fetching a sizeable branch back to a nest,  which wasn't visible but which must be at the back of their usual roost.


4 April

It's definitely more springlike!  The salmonberry blossoms are increasing, and attracting pollinators.


Trillium are making their welcome appearance.  



(What is the plural of trillium?  Trillia?  Trilliums?  Trillium?  Never mind, it's great to see them.)

The skunk cabbage has erupted into bloom.


Moss radiates in spring sunshine.


The new path remains much too wet to explore, but it does appear that the previous route from the first trailhead, until recently impassible because flooded,  has been blocked off.


The water level in the Marsh remains high.


Waterfowl are nesting at the south end of the Marsh.


On our departure from the Marsh, we could see the baldhip roses leafing out.


A less than appetising growth of witches' butter is appearing on a log.


I think I'll stick with dairy butter, thanks.



The Forest remains dark, but still welcomes our return next week.









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