October 5th. Back on the trail after a few days away. Fall colors have advanced.

 

Hmm, Beaver or Muskrat attempting to build a lodge? Seems an unlikely spot for one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans).

 

In the afternoon, I walked the Cobalt section,, starting at Depot Hill Road where Portland has erected several explanatory signs.

 

From the Route 154 stop light on Route 66, turn north on Depot Hill for a quarter mile or so. Plenty of parking on the right at the trail crossing.

 

I started my walk to the east. Not much blooming at first glance, but look closer. A few late flowers of Chicory (Cichorium intybus).

 

The stamens reveal pollen over time, from tip to base.

 

Flower Flies (Family Syrphidae) and bees take the pollen.

 

Butter-and-eggs, or Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris).

 

 

 

A Plant Bug (Family Miridae).

 

Wild Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) was most common along this stretch of trail.

 

Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.).

 

Some Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) hanging in there in spots where it had been mown earlier in the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Plenty of Heart-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium).

 

Bumble Bees (Family Bombidae) were working it.

 

 

 

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis).

 

 

 

Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.) on Goldenrod (Solidago sp.).

 

To the east, the restored trail narrows to a path...

 

 

 

...which ends at a stream. Ahead, the rail bed (and stream) passes through a tunnel under Route 66.

 

Heading back west, Pokeweed or Poke (Phytolacca americana).

 

Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis).

 

 

 

Common or Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus).

 

A pair of Flower Flies (Family Syrphidae)...

 

...perched beside an Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis).

 

 

 

Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Smartweed (Polygonum sp.).

 

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris).

 

 

 

 

 

Nifty grain in a utility pole.

 

October 6th. Morning mist at the start of the sunniest day we've had for awhile.