October 19th.  First heavy frost at 28 degrees.  A few geese overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 22nd.  A rare Sun Pillar, though most often seen at this time of year and caused by light reflecting off ice crystals in the atmosphere.

 

 

 

October 29th.  Back on the trail after 6 days in New Hampshire. 

 

White Mountains in snow and rain on October 25th: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72157702852373544

 

White Mountains in blue sky from Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, October 26th: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72157701462804831

 

(Back to October 29th.) Pleasantly surprised to see two Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoneciceus) at the marsh, albeit far away, quiet, and soon gone.  A long wait until they return mid-February.

 

Still a little Red Maple (Acer rubrum) color.

 

Floating fallen leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

Now that's a leaf blower!  Preparing the trail for the Ghost Run, coming soon.

 

October 30th.  Shortly after dawn.

 

 

 

October 31st.  Heavy frost at 27 degrees.

 

Shelflike mushrooms on a dead tree.

 

Underside.  No sign of gills.  ID?

 

November 1st.  Pre-dawn at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you know, more "straggler" Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) at the marsh.

 

Juvenile or female?  (Beak looks wrong for starling or cowbird.)

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-afternoon walk from the Brownstone Bridge over River Road east to the Blackledge River Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of thallose Liverwort (Division Marchantiophyta) growing on the damp walls of the bridge abutments.

 

 

 

A young Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), most likely killed by a bicycle.  (I placed it in leaves for this photo.)

 

The Blackledge River Bridge.