Coming Back to the Woods

This week I have begun returning to the Woods after a summer-long hiatus. I am relieved that after two vigorous half days clearing down trees blocking trails and swing-blading through tall trailside grasses, I have encountered no ticks and only a solitary mosquito. The Woods are very dry. The month of September has been very dry. But now, at the end, the days are cooling into the mid 80's.
There are very few leaves down, apart from some premature drop from drought-stressed trees. Most oaks and the black hickory have leaves that still look good. Some elm leaves are browning around the periphery. Recently I've only encountered one deer. That will change quickly when hunting season begins.

I think now the Woods are coasting. They had a good early summer with good rains and milder temperatures than previous few years. They did well and built reserves when their photosynthetic abilities were at peak with new leaves. This end of the summer has been stressful, but I don't see trees dying. They are OK with reserves. They just need a good long deep drink before winter. The trees that are coming down, are tops breaking out of two and three year old snags. Lots of elms continue to fall.

Blooming in the Woods are Verbesina frostweed, a pretty white flower attracting late season pollinators.. also a late generation of Elephantopus elephant's foot, with small blue flowers.. although the great majority of these have gone to seed. Polygonum ladies thumb has taken over more of the Main SW trail. I cut a meter wide trail through. I cleared away the Cnidoscolus bull nettle that was crowding over the Opuntia prickly pear at the W Dune trail crossing.

It is a nice time in the Woods. I'll start enjoying late afternoons, early evenings and other free time there again.