First day of fall. Getting used to the idea that summer is over.

Although I have to stay on flat terrain and paths, I am happy to report that I am walking again, without the giant plastic boot, cane or crutches. What a relief!

 

On this first day of fall, the weather has certainly changed, and so has the forest. The first rains have greened the forest floor. Moss really responds to moisture very quickly. It doesn’t look as discouraged as before…

 

Above,  the leaves are showing stress. The drought was hard on vegetation, even in the shady areas.

 

Above, a tree stump in which a creative logger for Parks Canada left a tic-tac-toe of chainsaw cuts…

 

Above, the lace-like veins of a leaf, offering a hint, a reminder of what once was and is on the way out. Still, elegant…

 

Above, bracken fern (Pteridium), an elegant plant with very interesting texture, up close and personal.

And speaking of up close and personal, my latest discovery:

 

Yellow-Ladle liverwort (Scapania bolanderi)… Tiny, tiny liverwort. I did not really know what was on the photo before I looked at full resolution, on my computer screen… The “sticks” on that photo are fir needles, to give you an idea of the scale. I will return with a tripod to take a sharper set of pictures of this little treasure. And maybe correct the ID of this one.  And speaking of identifying the things I discover on my walks, I have a reference shelf…

Here is a well-used book in our house:

Can’t recommend this book enough! Everything from trees to lichens, for this region. Very useful and informative.

Go have a walk outside!