21, 23 November

 Too long since we've visited the Forest and Wetlands, for an assortment of reasons.  We have renewed our visits last Friday and today, to admire seasonal change and to welcome the annual visits of the Marsh's waterfowl.  

Friday the Forest was dark, and damp and a bit mysterious.


Not actually an unfriendly mysterious, just still, rather dark, and showing the changes of season.


Think, if you will, of the amiable silence that can occur between friends. Sometimes you're just quietly there together and that's quite enough.  It felt like that;   truly fine and welcoming.  

The little stream that crosses the path at one point, but which had vanished in the dry season, is re-emerging.


This doesn't seem to be the incredible year for fungi as last season was, but there's a fair number of species appearing.  

One miniscule pink fungus emerged from the moss on a tree.


Identification of these would be gratefully received.  They've re-appeared two years in a row.


A simply amazing assortment of species emerge from a tall snag.


As far as we can figure, at least three species of fungi, an assortment of mosses, and a licorice fern.


AND THEN, ON FRIDAY!!

The waterfowl had returned, including a solitary trumpeter swan,


who first appeared as a white blur among the reeds at the southeast end of the Marsh.

And then a head and neck appeared...and then...Oh, glorious!


It's possibly a cliche (for which I'm not about to apologise), but there is a certain majesty to these birds, and their arrival from the North always feels like a special visitation.

There were also, however, an assortment of other waterfowl, for the first time this season.  I heard mallards before I saw them.  There was actually a sizeable flock, but this little group charmed me.


In addition to mallards, and His Imperial Majesty the Swan, (Her Imperial Majesty?--'scuse me, skilled birders please advise), there were buffleheads and ring-necked ducks.

 Hamilton Marsh's always welcome waterfowl season has begun.

Sunday was sunny--the low winter light illumines the Forest.


A maple, spectacular, even without its leaves, gleamed in the sunlight.


When we approached the Marsh, swan trumpeting could be heard.  Four flew past, and then a flock left the open water at the end of the Marsh and flew toward the north.


Sunlight and blue sky--always welcome in the dark seasons. 


Even the grey days hold the promise of rewards in the Forest and Wetlands.  New growth, new bird arrivals, all welcome us.









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