When intense heat and humidity and the threat of thunderstorm activity are all present, it can make for an uncomfortable atmosphere, particularly when the searing sun at the height of summer is also present, yet mitigated somewhat by the twin presence of gusting winds for temporary relief from the stifling closeness that causes lovely plants in the garden to wilt, blasted by the wind, the unrelieved heat and when the rain does erupt, its fearsome force.

Relief does await, to some degree, in the presence for us, of a nearby forest which our municipality has named Bilberry Creek ravine. Where, to dip into its ravined presence before the built-up heat of the afternoon, the green canopy overhead offers shade and the cushioned detritus on the forest trails give soothing comfort to booted feet.

Thimbleberry

There, in the ravine, there are fox dens and we sometimes catch glimpses of disappearing red tails. The occasional sight of raccoons and the more frequent sightings of red, black and grey squirrels and chipmunks remind us that this is the preserve of our wild neighbours. The emphatic rat-a-tat of woodpeckers, particularly the giant Pileated and its high-pitched call is contrapuntal to the sweet trills of cardinals, robins, goldfinches and song sparrows, and the chattering of chickadees and nuthatches.

Wood anemone

There are ample distractions present in the green fastness of the woods, from the all-encompassing heat and humidity of these dog days of summer. Yet there are also reminders that we will miss these days, when we come across an anomaly often seen at this time of year; a lone brightly coloured poplar leaf whose presence in late fall would not surprise us.

Queen Anne's lace

Yarrow

More seasonal-timely is the sight of dogwood berries, wild cherries and the bright pink flowers of the thimbleberries shrubs preparatory in due time to evolving into delicious raspberry-like soft fruit. We're already coming across tiny ripe wild raspberries, sweet and juicy despite their minuscule size. Our two puppies have evolved an awareness of their presence and an acute appreciation of their taste that so suits their omnivorous appetite.

Staghorn sumac have developed their bright red candles to festoon the tips of their branches in celebration of high summer. Yarrow is now abloom alongside far more plentiful Queen Anne's lace. There is yellow loosestrife, chicory, ajuga and trailing lotus for texture and colour.

Fleabane

The tall stalks of mullein are well into their flowering period, as is their rival-in-stature sunflowers, preparing to open their golden flowers fully in vibrant reflection of the sun. Fleabane still flaunts its exquisite tiny pink flowerheads.

Dogwood berries

And there's the nice patch of wild ginger, appearing quite undisturbed  from whose generous presence several days earlier I had dug up a few roots for transplant to our garden, happy to receive them. Wood anemone is still putting out the occasional flower, though its flowering time has passed prime. Buttercups and daisies are still around. As is cowvetch, climbing its way into the tangle of flowering clover and anywhere it can gain purchase, just as the American bittersweet twines its way around tree trunks.

wild ginger above, chicory below

Without our daily perambulations in the wooded ravine so close to our home in this air-freshened, green-tinted neighbourhood, we would miss all these opportunities to see what nature has devised in her endless plan for diversity of existence in our world.