27 April

 Two spring weeks in the Hamilton Wetlands and Forest  bring about a dramatic change in vegetation and bird life.  

The Forest's understory is suddenly rich in vivid greens.  Bracken fern has now emerged from "fiddleheads" to delicate fronds.


and swordfern is developing its almost serpentine shoots.

False lily of the valley is abundant,


as is vanilla leaf.



Saskatoon bushes show their distinctive rounded, serrated leaves.



The red elderberry bushes are flowering.


The dull Oregon grape is flowering, in company with pathfinder (at the bottom of the frame).


Near the Marsh, the bald-hipped rose is leafing out, and its rather delicate spines help in its identification. (click on the image to get a larger photo, which shows the frame.)

Even nearer the Marsh, in the fringe vegetation, the twinberry, a species of honeysuckle, is starting to bloom.


In the Marsh, the buckbean is flowering,


in company with the marsh cinquefoil.

The Marsh chimes with birdsong.  Most apparent is that of the red-winged blackbird, here making his way across the sedges and reeds.


The Marsh is now showing an increase in frog spawn, showing growth in the eggs within the gelatinous wrap.


Beyond the Marsh, Mount Arrowsmith shows its retreating snow cap.


The water level remains high, despite a stretch of dry days.


At the fringes of the Marsh the alder has exchanged its early pinkish shoots for a fresh shade of green.


We can look to new growth and ripening in future visits.











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