I Spy on the Trails - Weeks of Oct 29 and November 5, 2023

Our first snow hit Halloween eve and into Halloween Tuesday leaving roads icy and trails packed with sloppy wet snow. But like all early snows, streets, lawns and trails quickly reemerged and temperatures slowly crept up into the 60s. It's odd to have such long stretches of warm weather in November. The final part of this week was still an unseasonably warm high 40s and low 50s.

I was out on the long trails a little less these past two weeks. Instead I was reliving alot of the past 2 years of hiking as I put together last Wednesday's program on hiking trails and seasonal trails and hiking tips. I appreciated the attendees and their sharing at the program.

Wood ferns still around

With the leaves down on most trees and the undergrowth died down, the views on hikes have been spectacular. Rocks, hillocks, and wildlife are more easily visible and lend even the most familiar trails new to my eyes. It's why I love hiking in the cold late fall and winter months. There is still so much to see.

The tundra swan and other waterfowl migration is in full swing along our part of the Mississippi River flyway. Thousands of birds are resting before they continue their migration through to their wintering grounds. Tens of thousands more will be heading through in the next few weeks. The overlooks are crowded with observers and photographers. It's a special time!

Plants/Fungi

The subtle colors of late fall

• Coral-pink merulius fungi
• Mustard yellow polypore
• Ocher bracket 
• Turkeytail
• False turkeytail
• Honey mushroom 
• Wood fern
• Maidenhair fern
• Northern oak fern
• Common bonnet mushroom

Wildlife (seen/heard/detected)

• Whitetail deer
• Blue jay
• Tick
• Tundra swans
• Canada geese
• Trumpeter swan
• Herons
• American coot
• Diving and dabbling ducks
• Bald eagles
• Pelicans

What are YOU noticing on your hikes?

Two weeks of hikes: Wildwood Trail, Winona MN; Fish Farm Mounds, New Albin, IA; Riverside Park, La Crosse WI, Reno Spillway and Reno Quarry, Reno MN; Vetsch Park, La Crescent MN; North and South Compass Trails, Hixon Gateway, La Crosse WI; Butterfly Trails, Shelby WI

All images - Marge Loch-Wouters