When we headed off into the ravine early this afternoon there was a light breeze complementing a clear sky with the sun hard at work warming the atmosphere. It was only 17C when we came down for breakfast, but by the time we left for our hike through the forest trails the thermometer read 25C. Irving had gone out after breakfast to mow the grass in the backyard, then he did the same in the front garden. That warmed him up pretty quickly.

 

The sun glancing off the forest canopy sending its filtered light below occasionally had the opportunity to inform us just how warm it can make things, any time we briefly passed an area where the canopy receded, the light brilliant enough to to dazzle momentarily. The fragrance of still-blooming ragweed continues to perfume the air. All the forest vegetation has outdone itself this summer of incessant rain events.

 

Still, it appears we're getting a temporary break from rain. This long Labour Day weekend is introducing us to a week of unusually warm weather for this time of year. This is the time of year where trees are still firmly dark green, but the occasionally autumn-coloured leaf can be seen to detach from a tree branch and slowly whirl its way downward. In the next few weeks that annual pilgrimage from tree to forest floor will accelerate until the time comes when we'll swish through piles of acrid, drying foliage littering the ground.

 

For now, however, wildflowers are still blooming in abundance, the bees, hoverflies, wasps and other flying creatures are harvesting what they can and there's a noticeable pick-up in the sighting of squirrels and chipmunks beginning their winter preparations, storing and hoarding seeds and cones, answering to the survival imperative.

 

When we returned from our forest circuit it was my turn to work in the garden, just a bit of tidying and cutting back errant growth of trees and shrubs. And then watering the gardens and the garden pots, Jackie and Jillie watching me from inside the front door, occasionally letting me know they're there with a few barks as they supervise my activities.

Irving is busy packing, and loading up the truck. And away we'll go! It's likely too early to see fall colours yet, but we'll be in the mountains, and things turn earlier there, so we'll see...