Tooley Pond Mountain, Part 2

We'd reached the summit of Tooley Pond Mountain (see yesterday's post) and it was lovely, although the scenic overlook was disappointing:

But the forest was wonderful, with mosses underfoot and Balsams and Spruces and ferns along the way:

I called the dogs and we began heading back down the trail toward our parked car:

It's easy to become so focused on finding spectacular scenic overlooks and crystal lakes that one forgets to appreciate the beauty of the forest. This hike reminded me to put my attention on the wild forest all about me and to be grateful for it:

It's been so dry that mushrooms have been scarce this year. But I did pass by this pale red one. I think it's the same species which is so often a more distinct red, but I think this one was on the decline:

I snapped a photo of happy dogs on the trail:

We passed a couple with their (leashed) dog heading up the mountain. I think they were taken aback by my unleashed dogs, but everyone (and all the dogs) was friendly:

Fergus looked small in the forest:

We crossed back over the bridge over the stream:

And through the ferny meadow:

I was focusing my attention on the beauty of the Adirondack forest and the experience of being in such a remote, wild place:

We arrived back at our parked car, a happy man and his happy dogs. But it was time for lunch and we were many miles from anywhere I could find a store. It had been a good morning up at the farm with three hikes already under my belt:

A Winter Outing Across The South Hay Field

It was Monday, my only full day up at the farm, and I'd so far filled it with activity. When I finally arrived home to settle in for the evening, I noticed that it was still light outside and threatening to rain or snow. So I called the four younger dogs and set out for an exploratory hike across my own south hay field. Daphne, Clover and Fergus ran on ahead while Seamus walked close by my side:

We walked farther and farther from the farm house until we reached the end of the field and the edge of the woods:

My property ends at the fence line but I was sure the owners of the woods wouldn't mind. So we plunged ahead, exploring the brushy woodland:

Seamus was right at home walking through the brushy, snowy woodland:

I'd formerly considered this land forest, but it quickly became apparent that it was a former field which was slowly returning to forest. At this point it was mostly brush, briers and pioneer trees such as birch. Fergus went exploring in what appeared to be a boggy, ferny meadow:

The two Papillons joined Fergus in the meadow and we all began heading back toward my own hay field:

My hay field is rather narrow at that point, with a birch lined dirt road running along one side. It had begun to rain slightly as we made our way back toward the farm house:

The three youngsters delight in running, and an open field provided a wonderful opportunity for them to do just that. Seamus preferred to amble happily close to me:

Soon we were approaching the farm house and barn where old Wally and Winky were waiting for us:

There are still some old fences in odd spots around the barn which may or may not have to go when I am able to fence in all my fields for cattle. And the barn needs siding, roof repair and a water supply. My wallet hurts just thinking about it all:

Almost home and the three youngsters broke into a full run. Such enthusiasm and pure joy is a major blessing to my life. I can't imagine an existence without happy dogs:

We arrived back at the farm house and it really was time to settle in for the evening at that point:

Exploring Dyken Pond Nature Preserve - Part 2

I was hiking the trails of Dyken Pond Nature Preserve in Grafton, New York on a hot August day with four of my dogs. The first trail began along the lake's edge, but then turned towards the woods where we encountered the first of many peat bogs:

A close-up view of the sphagnum moss which makes up the bog:

And then the trails led us back into the forest:

There were perhaps eight marked trails and numerous unmarked trails and shortcuts. It's a good thing I had a trail map. When I came to this directional sign, I took the Long Trail shortcut (Is that an oxymoron?), but later wished I'd have gone to see the Grandfather Rock. Well, maybe next time:

The forests of Dyken Pond Preserve are very similar to those in the Adirondacks but have many very large, mature trees. For this reason I suspect that these woods, at least in some places, have never been logged. Did you notice Fergus on the trail?:

The dogs had been too excited at the beginning of the hike, but calmed down as we went on. Seamus naturally dropped back to walk at my heels. Fergus kept running too far ahead so I told him to heel. That left the Papillon puppies to run ahead and explore. But with the other two dogs behind me, the two puppies stayed closer:

Clover, though still quite young, had been in the woods enough to know the routine. She explored and played, but kept close enough for me to keep her under control:

We walked through a section with big stone ledges and boulders:

I set my camera on self-timer but got only this one photo of myself:

This section was called "The Rock Garden" on the trail map. It was a scattering of huge boulders, looking somewhat as if a giant had spilled a bag of marbles. The collection of trees and plants growing throughout the boulders was different than in the surrounding woods:

And on we hiked, through the woods and peat bogs to a sunny fern meadow:

When we entered the ferny meadow, I was happy to see it was sunny and very pleasant. Being an ecotone, where two or more habitat types come together, it had a lot of interesting plants and abundant bird songs. I stopped to take it all in while Daphne and Clover, the two Papillon puppies ran and played: