19 October

 After an overly long absence, a visit to the Hamilton Forest and Wetlands, where autumn, most welcome, has truly arrived.


The Forest's Bracken and Lady Fern are turning to autumn or winter colors.


The forest luxuriates in mosses.



After recent rains, fungi are emerging, still mostly small, but starting to abound.



Red-belted conks are increasingly evident.


This cluster of fungi is emerging from a downed log and moss.


Small staghorn are emerging from downed logs.


A small growth of fairy fingers are appearing.


The water level in the Marsh is still low, but rising gradually.






As we sat on the bench, two marsh wrens vocalised, apparently at one another.  We caught fleeting glimpses, but they spent much of their time dodging down into the reeds.  One perched briefly on one of the alders in the Marsh, less than fully cooperative.


Fringe  vegetation surrounding the Marsh showed autumn colour.


We can watch as the season continues its advance.  











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