A Woodland Walk-about

Hello, Dear Friends, we are in between rainshowers,

here in the Pacific Northwest, so come along
with me as we venture out for a lovely woodland
walk-about while we have the chance. 

We'll keep our eyes open for some 

wildling sightings along the way.....

We begin by walking through one of two gates

that Ramblin' Man just built and replaced over the summer <3

Here is one before I stained it 'ebony'.

The old gates are now in my stash of garden 

recyclables - those wonderful 

things with years of patina that you just can't part with :)

Perhaps hung on a wall with a beautiful wreath someday.........

The first wildling we see is the Dark-eyed Junco

bathing in the bird-bath under the pear tree. 

These little birds travel in large flocks this time of year, 

often with several other species. This is a male

and he was with several others, including 

some sparrows, chickadees, and nuthatches. 

They are all year-round residents. 

The lawn is littered with leaves from my beautiful 

Russian Ash trees, which are now quite bare. 

They are the first to show color here. 

This is what they looked like before the wind

carried the leaves away. 

I gather several leaves in my little basket

that I take on woodland walks.
I am always on the look-out for pretty leaves and feathers.

Dappled sunlight shines through Big-leaf Maple 

as we enter the forest. 

The smaller Vine Maple glows.

When exposed to bright sunlight, as here
along the edge of a forest clearing,
the leaves take on a brighter hue. 

The second wildling we see is the ever-present 

Douglas squirrel. 

These little squirrels are just a bit larger than 

a chipmunk. We also have gray squirrels, 

but this year they have been scarce. 

I suspect predation, as they spend much more time

on the ground than the tiny and fast Douglas squirrels. 

Or perhaps they have been poisoned! Someone 

has been nibbling on this Amanita mushroom. 

Another smaller mushroom pokes through the dry leaves.

A ground beetle sits on a rock in an abandoned
entrance to a small burrow.

These are little predators that eat other bugs
and seem to be very numerous here.

A beautiful Spotted Towhee is the third wildling we spy.

These beautiful little birds have bright red eyes
 and spotted wings and sides.

A much clearer photo from my guide book.

They are slightly smaller than an American Robin
and nest in thick brush on the ground.
These are also year-round residents.

The ground is littered with Black Cottonwood leaves
as we reach the driveway gate.

Whitey Bear and Kai give each other acknowledging looks.
I've watched them do this and then take off running
 together towards something unheard or unseen
by my mere human senses.

A wild plum sapling shows beautiful deep colors
next to a wild hazelnut, still green, that will show
color later in the season.
A yellow willow hangs over all.

I am always amazed at the diversity of plants
and trees growing here, and continue to find
something new with each stroll.

An ivy climbs a Black Cottonwood
outside the gate, the result of a long
forgotten planter. The deer seem to like
this particular ivy and the leaves are always
nibbled as high as they can reach.

The neighbor's field across the road.

I don't venture past the gate when I am alone.
My own 5 acres are completely enclosed with
5 foot high, heavy wire fencing,
 which can't be climbed.

It is hunting season.

My perimeter fence was installed by my youngest
son, Dustin, in his last years of high school.

It was his precious, parting gift to me.

He knew that once he left home, I would be alone
frequently while Ramblin' Man was traveling for work.

We had hunters come too close to the house, one too many times.

Can you see the deer? This is the fourth wildling we see.
(Look to the left of the tree)
We have Black Tail Deer here,
which are quite numerous.

The ground is a tapestry this time of year.

The hills are also a tapestry of color.

Black Cottonwood, Maple and Alder stand out
against the deep greens of Douglas Fir.

This is a forest planted for timber harvesting,
 here in Washington State.

It's starting to rain, so we hurry back home
before we get too wet.

A sweet Wood-thrush, the 5th wildling we see,
sits on the fence surrounding the property.

This unassuming little bird has the most
beautiful song.

We approach the main gate to the house.....

These gates always stay shut unless we are outside.

Whitey Bear and Kai stay inside the lower
fenced area surrounding the house, with
free access through their pet-door during the day.

This is our little sanctuary from the wild, wild world.

Some feathers I found on my walks.

From left, a Spotted Towhee feather,
a Mourning Dove, and two Hawk feathers.

I add them to my collection inside my silver baby cup :)

The leaves I gathered are spread out to dry
before adding to my leather bound scrapbook for pressing.

I found this beautiful vintage scrapbook
on a visit to New Hampshire a few years ago.

It makes a perfect 'press' for autumn leaves
which I will use to decorate my Thanksgiving table.

It looks lovely on my table in the living room.

Thank you for coming along on my woodland walk-about,
Dear Friends!

I hope you have a chance to get outside
to enjoy these glorious days of fall, too!

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Good Fences
&
Five on Friday
&
Saturday's Critters

Won't you join the fun?