“I wanted to unfurl my toes for a little while. I wanted silence, isolation and an invitation to exhale life’s complications. I heard nature’s melody and I harmonised with every single note. I needed the trees, their colours, and the sounds of wildlife breathing. I inhaled the essence of the forest and smiled as life coursed through my veins”
― Amelia Dashwood

After several extremely busy work weeks and weekends filled with family events, I finally had a chance to get on the local trails again. It seem like such a long time since I’ve hiked this trail. It also gave me a chance to check on the progress of a large group of orchids that I discovered last year.

I’m pleased to report that the population is growing and should be in bloom in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, I was able to make some nice photos of the current bloomers, including this Clintonia borealis, also know as Blue Bead Lily, since the flowers each become a bright blue berry. They are beautiful, delicate flowers that grow in small clusters in certain spots along the trail.

As you can see from the photo, it had just stopped raining. The trails were near bog-like and mosquitoes rose in clouds from the damp underbrush. Ah, late spring in southern Ontario. If you think mosquitoes are a menace while hiking, you should try doing macro photography. Though I had the sense to spray myself with bug spray, the occasional mosquito still managed to fly into my eye or buzz annoyingly near my ears. I’m really looking forward to some warmer days, which will bring on the dragonflies and knock their population down a bit.

Till then, more damp days are in the forecast, ensuring the forest will be abuzz for some time.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/25 sec, f/11.0 ISO 100

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