Shelf fungi

We decided we'd risk a downpour, out in the ravine. The forecast called for rain, heavy at times, but the heavily overcast skies were just lightly dripping at late morning and we thought we'd give it a try. We wore rainjackets and took along two miniature doggy raincoats, and set off in a light drizzle.

After all, the forest canopy had just about recovered its entire springtime glory of new foliage sufficient to give us shelter from light rain. We knew if we'd await an opportunity for the rain to entirely stop, it likely wouldn't arrive. Best to get out in these slightly offputting conditions for our daily circuit in the forest, otherwise we would have to miss out.

Jackie and Jillie can always sense when we're about to depart. They also pick up subtle clues we can't even imagine, to identify where we'll be heading and whether they'll be included. So they were duly excited and anticipatory as we put on their collars and halters and set off.

Foamflower

Sporadically, as we made our way along the trails through the forest, the rain would quicken and begin splatting, some of it reaching us, most not, and then it would recede again to light patters. We counted on it remaining benign like this for awhile, enabling us to get on with our walk. We thought at first we'd just hazard a short, quick trip through the ravine, but ended up gambling on a longer one, and were glad for it.

Yellow woodland violets

Because simply put, there's so much to see, from the wild apple trees beginning their bloom period, to the sudden presence of fungi attracting our attention with their shapes and shadings, and the prominence at this time of year of early-blooming wildflowers; trilliums, Jack-in-the-Pulpits and violets, among others; we enjoy them all.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

And just as well that we ventured out when we did. The clouds, dark and menacing, didn't, after all, open up to full thrust. Despite which there were no others of our acquaintances that we came across going through the trails, likely held back by anticipating the rain.

It wasn't long afterward on our return home that full rain did come pelting down and we were awash in running streams everywhere. Very timely, actually given that we managed in days previous, to plant most of our annuals and the drenching would do them well.