Trout Lake State Forest - Part 1

The dogs and I had just hiked up to the Cedar Lake Overlook (see yesterday's post) and were now embarking on a longer but flatter trail to a picnic spot on the shore of Trout Lake:

 All along the way I saw White Baneberry plants with ripe berries. They are also called Doll's Eyes for obvious reasons - white orbs with a black dot (pupil):

This trail was more comfortable walking for the two old codgers of the group, Seamus and me. Although there were some muddy spots, at least there were no hills to ascend or descend:

There was a dizzying array of wildflowers, especially Asters and Goldenrods - so many, in fact, that I gave up trying to photograph and identify them. I already knew False Solomon's-Seal, however:

The dogs were having a grand time but I'd forgotten bug spray and kept swatting at gnats and mosquitoes:

There were lots of mushrooms but I only stopped to take pictures of the really colorful ones. This ruffled yellow mushroom was sure a beauty:

I tried to avoid the muddy spots but the dogs delighted in traipsing right through them:

And then we arrived at the picnic spot. It had a small, sandy beach, where folks landed their canoes, and a picnic table. I sat at the table and watched Seamus wade out into the cool water and lie down. Daphne soon joined him:

Daphne began bouncing around, splashing and playing, so Seamus stood up. We stayed for awhile but then it was time to begin walking back:

We walked uphill into the Hemlock forest to get back on the trail:

And then started our journey back. When I saw another water access, however, I led the dogs back downhill to see it:

 On the way, I saw this strange fungus. I searched for an I.D. when I got home and finally learned that it was Yellow Finger Coral Mushroom. The name perfectly describes it. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: