Hamilton Wetlands and Forest

  Finally a visit to the Forest and Wetlands, after being laid up with a broken toe for two weeks (dammit!)  And in other respects a banner day.  We've had heavy rain along the coast and --hooray!--SNOW!!! on the Beaufort Range and Arrowsmith. Fingers crossed, it looks cold enough that we can possibly hope to see a snowpack build. The Forest is showing the change in deciduous trees and shrubs. When I began this blog, I thought to trace seasonal change in flora and fauna.  Somehow it didn't occur to me to recognise the change in light, which of course plays a major part in the changes.  We're now seeing autumn light, with a shift in the angle of sunlight, and variable clouds.   Today's walk began under dense cloud, and after the heavy rainfall of previous days. As the morning progressed, the skies  brightened. Within the Forest an autumn array of fungus is appearing.  The showy red-hot russula is described as "too hot to eat." Candlesnuff fung...

Autumn's presence has deepened in the Forest and Wetlands.  The sun's brilliance glows in the Forest, while the path shows patches of light along the trees and bordering vegetation. As is the way in autumn, fungi are becoming abundant.  A variety of bracket fungus are emerging. Sulfur tuft fungi cluster. Candlesnuff fungi  and club-like tuning fork are appearing on downed logs. False chanterelles sprout along the trail, not wholesome but showy. Although rain has fallen, the Marsh remains dry.   The border foliage is showing autumn colours.  Unoccupied duck boxes await spring visitors. Two great blue herons appear to have taken up residence near the Marsh.  One sat on the dock, scouting for a meal. Despite the dry season, the vitality of the Forest has persisted. Growth on a nurse stump flourishes. Many of the snags in the Forest nurture abundant growth.  This not-quite-dead alder is host to a variety of vegetation, and (although not observed just ...