A Fungus Tree

Doing my annual stewardship inspection of the Harshman property on the Bruce Trail, and I came across this huge old sugar maple stump.  I'd seen it before numerous times, but not with a light snowfall - a bit of snow made the big bracket fungi on the tree really stand out.

Hidden Trees

Big old trees are often hidden by a lot of young saplings today.  The big old ones may have grown in an open field, or at least at the edge of a field, and then when the farmland stops being used, a new generation of young trees grows up around them.  Miles and miles of the landscape near the valley, all poor former farmland, is now growing up in such young trees, but still dotted by giant old 'wolf' trees of an earlier generation.  The result is huge old trees surrounded by young saplings.  You can tell by the wide open branches and crown of the tree that it grew in the open.  And when the leaves fall, those big old trees really stand out in the woods.

Here are three interesting big old trees, the first a very gnarled beech, the others large sugar maples.

Hidden Things Appear in November

November is a fascinating month to look at the landscape around us.  In that time between the leaves falling and the snow arriving, things that are screened by leaves in the summer suddenly become visible.  You can see through the forest to things you hardly realized were there, and other things become clearer.

This huge paper wasps' nest is hanging 8 feet off the ground, just 5 feet into the trees, not far from our place.  But I didn't realize it was there all summer until the leaves fell and suddenly it was so obvious.  Paper wasps are generally beneficial in a garden, and not very aggressive except in defending their nests (unlike hornets and yellowjackets).  I think I've removed at least half a dozen very small nests around the house this summer, but this one will be able to flourish on its own without bothering anyone.

After the Sunset, a Sunrise

Beautiful sunrise yesterday, into a clear blue sky. Took several shots over a couple of moments while leaning on the frosty railing, and was surprised to see the sun moved more horizontally than vertically at this time of year. And quickly was too bright to make a useful picture anyway! But a beautiful day to get a few late fall chores done.

The Ephemeral Beauty of a Sunset

Outside working as the day ended and suddenly noticed a bright sunset.  Hurried for the camera, walked far enough to get beyond the overhead wires, but I was 30 seconds late.  Still, I got a quick series of shots as the colour faded, all in less than one minute.

First Snow

First snow arrived last Thurs. night, just a light covering, but plastered to some of the trees, which are still white on one side several days later.  Temperature is hovering just below zero, and it's time to do all the winter preparation chores.

Some interesting patterns left by the snow too.

Oak Leaves

Pine Needles

Spruce Twigs