Clear Pond Loop - Part 2

The dogs and I were hiking the perimeter of Clear Pond, in the White Hill Wild Forest, and had reached about the halfway point (see also Part 1, posted yesterday). The dogs were even more excited than usual and they were having fun:

I was also happy to be outdoors in a beautiful natural setting in such fine autumn weather:

When we saw a place to walk down to the water's edge once again, we took it:


I was just thinking how it was a shame I'd missed the flowering time for the little white orchids I saw last year, when I saw a whole field of them (mixed in with other fall wildflowers):

These little native orchids are called Nodding Ladies'-Tresses, and I find them fascinating:

We explored the shoreline briefly:

Daphne walked out to some rocks for a better look at the scenery or, more likely, hoping to find something dead and stinky:

We were all getting a bit tired by now, and Clover and Seamus waded into the cool, clean water to refresh themselves:

And there was a bit of horseplay between Clover and Daphne, AKA "The Silly Sisters:"

Even Jack went into the water of Clear Pond:

We were by this time approaching our starting point, and the trail took us back into the forest. I was startled to see these sizeable, red mushrooms:

We reached our car but the dogs ran past it, beginning once again the trail we'd just finished. I called and whistled until they came back, and then we began our return trip home. It's a short drive, and three miles of it is in the White Hill Wild Forest. The dogs watched the passing scenery as we drove home: