Another beautiful day awaited us, and when we awoke this morning it was clear, hot and humid. No question that our daily romp through the forest trails would once again take place in the morning. On such hot, muggy days we take care to fill up a water bottle with an attached drinking trough for Jackie and Jillie. And although it's been hot and humid all week and we've gone out mornings, we still get fairly warm by the time we wind up our tramp through the trails, an hour-and-a-half or two hours later.

Jackie and Jillie -- especially Jillie -- may plod along at times tongues hanging out, but when the water is squeezed into the trough it's the rare occasion when either will deign to slurp up the cooling liquid essence of life. Of course the heat and the need to absorb liquid is partially mitigated by Irving continually picking blackberry and thimbleberries for them. And those they never refuse.

Then, when we pass that part of the forest where wild apples grow, invariably Irving picks a few to munch off little pieces for Jackie and Jillie. Unlike their disinterest when proffering water, they leap at the apple pieces. We've noticed something quite amusing. On those occasions when we run into other people with their dogs and Irving asks if he can give the dog a treat, our own two also get treated. Yesterday, a large dog passed by, but his owner said he has problems with food, and best not to give him a cookie.

The dog's presence was enough to stir in Jackie consciousness the connection between cookie handouts and the presence of other dogs and he kept leaping at Irving for cookie handouts. On the way to completing our morning circuit, we passed under the wasp nest that hangs over the narrow pathway leading from the forest to the meadow beside the creek. That nest continues to get a little larger and the wasps are incredibly busy, flying in and out, busy with wasp-commerce. Its proximity to the meadow and the wildflowers is not the least bit puzzling.

At one end of the creek opposite to the meadow a colony of very tall tickseed emerged this summer the flowers bright yellow, tall and beautiful. It took me awhile to realize what they were just from the foliage alone before the flower buds emerged because they can only be viewed from a distance, it's just too difficult to get close to them. But they're a beautiful addition to the wildflowers that distinguish the ravine.

At the height of the forest, just approaching the top of the hill where we enter the ravine, the hillside and the top area is absolutely packed with Himalayan orchids that seeded themselves in what must be a very favourable position for them. Last there there were a few plants this year there is a multitude with bright pink flowers everywhere in bloom.