November is a windy and grey month on the Gulf Islands of BC. The wind topples trees and causes power outages. This is sort of expected, and means that we rely on generators and fireplaces or wood stoves to stay warm, keep the fridge going, and have a light or two to read. And a purring cat never hurts.
All that rain produces all sorts of blossomings in the mosses on the forest floor.
The moss, which had gone “brittle” over the dry summer months, has now regained its emerald green lush and springy thickness. And some version of it are blooming.
Then, mushrooms are also making an appearance. On my morning walk, a couple of days ago, here is what I found next to the path…
I have to admit that I don’t know the name of the cup-shape mushroom (although it could possibly be the brown-clustered ear cup…), nor of the little one that is poking up in the mosses, in the lower left corner of this photo. Obviously, I will have to start carrying the mushroom identification book, and highlight the ones I recognize.
When I looked at the photo on my computer screen, I was shocked, shocked, at its hairy back! Honey, you need to shave your back!
Then the butterfly was joined by a bee, and cleaning out pollen became a collaborative effort.
Now, gotta get out and set up a bean trellis, on a tipi of cedar poles. That should be fun!
And I spend a lot of time in the garden on dry days (and those are getting rare), expanding the flower beds, moving manure and mulch into position, planting bulbs, moving plants. Tired, but a good kind of tired!
Many projects await. Things will pick up… the winter season is lively on this island. It’s just a certain interlude, right now… A lull.