WTD#28 - Late Summer Rambles

We've been trying to find time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we've been having lately, before the fall rains set in.  I finally took a half day to stroll around the Champion Lakes trails, something I'd been thinking about for a few years now, but never seemed to get around to.

 This complex of lakes, streams and marshes forms a vibrant ecosystem, rich with aquatic and riparian life.  The third lake has been developed with a public beach and campground, but the second and first lakes are in their natural states.  Above is the second lake, where the road ends.

There are plenty of Columbia spotted frogs in the lakes and wetlands, usually diving to hide in the mud when humans (or dawgs) approach.

 There is a loop trail to the first lake and a trail that goes all around the second lake, through a dense and shady mature forest.

 Dragonflies are everywhere, including this cherry-faced meadowhawk.

 This one is a blue-eyed darner, one of our largest and most common dragonflies.

 Apparently the name darner comes from an old myth that they would sew one's lips up with their stinger (they don't have a stinger).

 This little northern saw-whet owl fluttered up into a tree as we walked by on the trail to the first lake, and swiveled it's head around to keep an eye on us.

 Play of light on a small pond in the forest.

 A couple of muskrats swam by while we were standing on the trail above, but dove as soon as the camera shutter  clicked, not to be seen again.

 This is water smartweed, growing in the shallows of the first lake.

 A family of three common loons was enjoying the day on the far side of the first lake, preening and splashing about for a good twenty minutes while we watched.

 Just in case you didn't notice.

 Back in the Kootenay valley near the canal, the summer fruit is ripening.

 Leaves that are green will soon be changing colour.

I don't think this is an aquatic plant, rather the beavers made the water rise around it - my guess, anyway.

 An alder leaf in the late afternoon sun.

 A yellow salsify seedhead, with it's golden parachutes.

 More parachutes.

 After a hard day on the trail, the dawg has worked up a thirst.