It's yet early in the month, but it appears that November has taken umbrage at its customarily well-earned reputation of being a miserable weather month, so it seems to be working quite hard at belying that experienced truth. It may be only the second of November days, but judging by what we've experienced these  two days and the forecast from Environment Canada for the remainder of the week and into the weekend, we can expect more of this balmy, sunny weather. 

There was evidence of either a light rain or a temperature inversion early this morning, but clouds were quickly dispelled to make way for a wide, blue sky featuring a brilliant fall sun. For a change they were eager to sit out on the deck, clear now of all summer furniture and with full sun exposure. We had things to do, we always do, but the object was to get out as early in the afternoon with Jackie and Jillie as we could manage.

The little nip in the air suggested light jerseys would be in order today; slightly cooler than yesterday's high of 15C, and Irving and I wore snug jackets as we set out. Who within the regular forest-hiking community could resist such a beautiful day? At first we had the ravine to ourselves, but it didn't take too long before dogs we're familiar with began showing up and patiently awaiting the cookie routine from Irving.

They're invariably polite and patient while Irving fumbles with the disparate plastic bags holding the cookies he distributes; big ones for big dogs, little ones for little dogs, carried in his all-purpose pouch. None among them were those we had seen yesterday. It makes a difference, the time of day ventured out; people, along with their companion animals, are creatures of habit and that includes the times they allocate for certain recreational pursuits.

 

Eventually, their humans show up and hustle their charges away, even though when each has had their share, they usually listen to Irving who tells them they've had enough, and to run on back to their "dads" and "moms". On occasion we see the same dogs again, tails wagging and imploring soft eyes suggesting they haven't after all, had enough. as they complete a circuit the opposite to ours and we come back in contact.

Two of the Australian shepherds accompanied by a Newfoundland that Irving had just awarded cookies to didn't go dreadfully far before we heard a lot of barking and snarling and called Jackie and Jillie back to us as we ascended one of the hills toward the commotion. By the time we hesitated, then proceeded to the top, another man was descending with his large and beautiful Lab-Doberman mix, a usually placid 4-year-old. The man was being solicitous toward his dog, stroking it and calming it.

 

Both were clearly upset. He told us that his dog, standing aside while the three other dogs reached the top of the hill was suddenly surrounded by them and they attacked the single dog. As the Doberman reacted and defended itself from the onslaught, the man with the three, berated both the man and the Doberman for its aggressive behaviour, when it was his three that had initiated the conflict. We assume he must not have witnessed how the little drama unfolded. 

Some time later we came across Scott, an old friend, pushing his infant son's stroller along the trails above the ravine where the forest continues, and we walked with him awhile. He told us that his mother's neighbour had been using a blow torch to kill weeds, of all things. He set a cedar hedge between the two properties afire and as the hedge burned flames leaped toward his mother's garage, and her driveway. The use of a garden hose by two teens eventually put out the fire. before it could reach the houses. 

 

 

Scott is a professional fireman and he was bemused at the stupidity of people who appear not to be able to translate their actions into bad outcomes.  It's not the first time we've heard of people using blow torches to that purpose and the resulting consequences. The garage is awaiting repairs and the driveway had to be repaved. Insurance, evidently, pays for that kind of misadventure.

Later on, as we were approaching the end of our circuit for the day, we saw something odd beside the trail; interior sections of a hive. Each tiny apartment was unoccupied; there were two of them. And they were lying directly under a destroyed wasp nest. Regular hikers through the forest trails usually can see, identify and know of the presence of wasp nests at various junctions in the forest. This one was located fairly near a pollinating clearing in the forest. Where the wasps doubtless chose to be in close proximity to wildflowers whose nectar pollen and could be handily harvested.

 

 

All the wildflowers that had blossomed so handsomely and in great abundance during the spring, summer and early fall before night-time frosts entered the scene are now long gone. Their brown, shrivelled ghosts of forlornly spent flower stalks remain, some crushed by the wind but no longer offering sustenance for bees and wasps and hoverflies. It's likely the wasps had abandoned the nest. Likelier yet that some teens passing along the trail saw an opportunity to smash a beautiful natural structure.