15 February

 The Forest was still, after a cold night.  Frogsong was silenced, and the only audible bird on my arrival was a raven.

At the trailhead, the light was filtered through high cloud.  


The path to the Marsh was quieter than I can ever recall.  It had a fine stillness that matched the day's light--low in the southeast, and somehow gentle.

The mosses were brilliant where unfiltered sunlight made its way through a clearing.


By the time I reached the Marsh, the skies had cleared, and a recent snowfall was restoring Arrowsmith to winter splendour.


The water level has risen, no doubt from the recent rainfall.


To the southeast, open water invited waterfowl.


A flock of about thirty mallards flew in from the north end of the Marsh.  Not all were visible in the distance, but it's clear that the winter waterfowl residence has been established. 






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