October 31st. Out to Grayville Falls after several inches of heavy rain the day and night before. Watch a short video of the rushing water here:
https://youtu.be/5M9qKaLuNpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking east from Old Colchester Road to Raymond Brook Marsh. Trees nearly bare from High winds. Trail blown clear of leaves in anticipation of the Ghost Run half marathon on Saturday, November 1st.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking west at the mile three sign for the coming race.

 

At the marsh.

 

Huge Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) crossing the trail.

 

A massive ancient looking beast.

 

 

 

 

 

A solitary female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

A gnawed dead tree. Seems a bit ambitious if a beaver was trying to fell it.

 

 

 

I turned back at the Colchester Spur split.

 

November 1st. A fun shot from the Ghost Run. I took 142 pictures, capturing almost every runner. You can scroll through them at my FlickR album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72177720330059609

 

Winged Euonymus or Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) is a HIGHLY INVASIVE shrub found in wooded areas all along the trail. Seeds are spread in bird droppings. Note the flat corky extensions along the stems - they're definitive, even when leaves are not in the dramatic Fall pink.

 

 

 

 

 

The trail through the marsh is looking pretty bleak - especially after the colorful crowd of runners yesterday.

 

A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

November 3rd. Afternoon at Norton Pond east of River Road. Lots of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)...

 

...and a female to the right.

 

 

 

Two females with the male.

therno

Note: They are diving ducks so sometimes one or another would be out of sight underwater.