21 December
A Solstice visit to the Hamilton Forest and Wetlands on a day that mixed rain and sunlight, and the consequences of strong winds on the preceding days.
The path to the dock was somewhat boggy at first. A young couple we met commented that there were some slippery trees ahead. Initially we thought this was not a major issue--the exposed roots and planks are often slippery when wet, but navigable with caution.
The ponds and streams in the Forest were filled, and flowing.
Then we found what the pair were talking about!
There had been a major blowdown.
The path definitely required bushwhacking, clambering and, at one point, crawling.
A very old snag, which had hosted a fascinating array of fungi, as seen in this photo from last year,
had come down and was virtually shattered.
Despite the blue sky, it was raining heavily on the dock. It's the first time in three years that we've bailed due to wet weather.
Back through the blowdown, when the sun came out and illumined the forest.
As we often remark, there's always something new to see and experience in the HWF!
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