Day in the Forest Part 1

Today was just a tad shy of the peak color in my woods, but by the weekend the peak will be past. Today was the day I had to spend in the woods and so I did. I took so many photos that I likely have enough to last until January. But even if these global warming times, you folks would likely get a bit suspicious if I was still posting fall color photos in January. So I will have to be selective.

I headed down off the mountain and into the valley early this morning, and had no sooner taken my first steps on the trail I was planning to walk when a pileated woodpecker saw me and swooped off through the woods, screaming in outrage. I was busted! The woodpecker woke up a blue jay, who was equally outraged. In turn, the blue jay alerted a squirrel, and before you know it, I am being followed by several blue jays and assorted other creatures. All I did was take two steps down the mountain.

My plan for today's walk wasn't really a plan. I wanted to photograph the pond in today's photo, as I didn't have many photos of it in fall. I have summer and winter photos, but if I have any fall photos I can no longer locate them. I also wanted to wander a few of the old woods trails I don't regularly walk. Much of this area is wet even in a dry season, and springs keep the footing mushy. So I tend not to come down here unless it's been dry, as coming down here in years with normal rain is a good way to ruin a pair of shoes. So that was the extent of my plan for the day. I ended up walking all over the valley on a beautiful day and will post more of my photos in my next post.