Pretty amazing the way a forest can absorb moisture during the hot summer months, when rainfall has been so frequent as in this year's spring and summer. All the small marshy areas that had occupied the forest floor from spring to the present are now gone, but for a few diehards. Although most have finally dried up, yesterday saw a bumper crop of mosquitoes and even a few blackflies zipping around our faces and exposed arms.

These pests plague wildlife in their search for blood to nourish their increase in numbers. At least we're capable of fending them off, while deer, moose and caribou in the forests cannot and suffer for it. At least in this forest we're spared the presence of deerflies. Without doubt they feast on smaller forest creatures and birds at rest as well. One just wonders what nature had in mind in their creation.

Just as well the forest canopy shields us on the walking trails from most sun exposure. And that breezes arise to cool us now and again. The creek is always a favourite with companion animals, and we can always tell when one has been by within a relatively short period of time, by the wet footprints left behind once the animal has retreated from its cooling, albeit muddy waters.

Our two puppies have never been interested in the water, although poodles were originally bred as hunting and water dogs. Button, our miniature poodle, loved water. We used to throw stones into the lake for her and she adored retrieving them; always the very one we had tossed in for her. She'd bring back the stone and drop it at our feet for a repeat. Once she took a wide dive out of the canoe to have herself a deep-water swim. We'd have to dry her off quickly once she was done swimming, because when she became drenched her body heat plummeted.

At one point, after she'd gone into the stream in the ravine, when she emerged we saw she had sustained a bad cut on one of her legs. Young people in the neighbourhood would throw beer bottles into the creek, no doubt enjoying the sound of the glass crashing and breaking. That was the last time she was allowed into the creek. No such problem with Riley, he was disinterested, just as Jackie and Jillie are.

On yesterday's walk we came across other dogs who do love to waddle about in the water. Which is far more characteristic of most dogs, looking for any opportunity to cool down on a hot summer's day in a forested setting.

Now, with other wildflowers receding somewhat in numbers, goldenrod is beginning to take over. And the first of the fall asters has begun to bloom. These first ones are sparsely petalled and none too beautiful, but flowers, nonetheless. And the wild apples are in the process of maturing, taking on colour, looking quite inviting.