November 7th. A day off from the trail for a birthday visit to Magic Wings in Deerfield, MA.
An album of pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72177720330174262/

 

November 8th. Surprised to see Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) in bloom at the Route 207 parking area.

 

 

 

First year leaves of biennial Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Next year, the plant will be tall and show typical mustard family flowers.

 

 

 

At the pond east of Route 207, two of this year's failed Great Blue Heron nests.

 

I wonder if the birds will try again next year.

 

The trail was mucky after overnight rain.

 

At Norton's Pond, I saw and heard a distant Kingfisher but it never came close, much less landed.

 

Oak leaves and Lily pads at the surface, with cloud reflections on the water.

 

A few Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) berries at the bottom of the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

November 9th. I'm not sure of the ID of this hawk (Buteo sp.)

 

White bands on the tail feathers are very broad.

 

White Oak (Quercus alba).

 

Ground Pine (Lycopodium clavatum).

 

Remains green through the winter.

 

Next stop, Norton's Pond.

 

More floating Lily pads.

 

 

 

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) around.

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of diving and splashing.

 

Where'd he go?

 

Tah Dah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Coot (Fulica americana).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coot and Mallard together.

 

 

 

November 10th. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) at Norton's Pond. Short stop as rain began to fall.

 

The Brownstone Bridge over River Road, looking south.

 

 

 

Looking back (northish) uphill.

 

 

 

Looking east at the bridge over the Blackledge River.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking north from the bridge.

 

Turning back, facing west.

 

Patterns in the timber bridge surface.