My church

Sunday morning has always been a favourite time of mine to take a walk in the forest. To me, it's the perfect place to centre myself and connect. Sadly, I haven't been able to get out much so far this summer. Several weeks ago, I slipped and fell down our stairs and partially tore a ligament in my knee (goodbye fall marathon). Lots and lots of physio ensued. It was really tough being "good" and staying off the biking, running and hiking trails. I finally got the ok from my physiotherapist the other day to test my knee out on a modest (but oh so pretty) hiking trail. I was very relieved to find out that I should be perfectly fine to wander around the beautiful Shetland and Iceland landscape. Phew!

It's as if the forest knew I had been longing to see her. She put on quite a show for me.

This underpass always makes me think of the Hobbit.

Everything smelled so fresh and green.

Looks like this White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis) had a lucky escape





Unfortunately this little guy did not.

Look at those incredible digging hands! I think this is Parascalops breweri, the Hairy-tailed mole. I wonder what happened to it? I could not see any obvious signs of injury.

Some sort of Fleabane.





Hello Daddy Longlegs.

I was so excited to see this White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that I didn't think to switch the camera to auto-zoom. This was the best pic in the bunch.

Maidenhair fern, Andiantum pedatum, one of my favourite woodland plants




Rubus odoratus, Purple-flowered raspberry.




 Anemone virginiana, Thimbleweed.





??? (note to self: buy a mushroom identification guide!)

What's this odd creature? I think it's the rare Coco knittyii.

That was SO refreshing!

Ok now, back to my to-do list.