16 August

 A return to Hamilton Wetlands and Forest after two weeks away, in part because nearby forest fires rendered the air quality alarmingly unwholesome.  Today we returned after a couple of days of rain--actually described by the Weather Network as an "atmospheric river."  That seems to have been an exaggeration, but it definitely improved the air quality and slowed the expansion of the fires.  The rain still fell intermittently, and was most welcome.  The fragrance of rain in a forest, especially after a period of intense drought, has to be one of life's sacred things.

The Forest's vegetation was certainly refreshed.  

Ferns, trailing blackberry, and even the remnants of foamflowers looked invigorated.

In addition, the slug population abounded.  

A large and speedy banana slug zoomed across the path, moving at a remarkable inch in three minutes.

Young slugs explored surrounding vegetation.

An elegantly shelled robust lancetooth snail made its way across the path.

The ghost pipes are reaching the end of their season, still showing a white seedpod at their centres.

A small creature (likely a red squirrel) appeared to have snacked on  red cedar seed cones.

Salal berries are ripening. They're quite tasty.

The rain has invigorated the growth of fungi.

?? A polypore that looks a bit like a poached egg?  Identification will be gratefully received.

The water level at the Marsh has dropped substantially, despite recent rains.

Water gauge on the 27th of July:

...and three weeks later, on the 16th of August.

Beyond the Marsh, to the southwest, clouds of smoke (or possibly steam) still rose from the Wesley Ridge fire.

Even as we sat on the dock, exposed to the elements,  it would have been the most dreary ingratitude to complain when the refreshing showers intensified to a  good, steady downpour. 

 We retreated to the shelter of the forest, grateful for a fine morning.