The weather was perfect for a walk in the park. We began at Elk Island National Park on the Beaver Pond Trail. Colored leaves showered down from the treetops as the wind rustled the branches. It is getting easier to see through the trees as the underbrush is almost bare. 
Now that the leaves are dropping, you can notice what has been growing underneath them. Decaying logs are covered in brightly colored lichens. Some of them have a variety of fungi growing out of the wood. 
I found a log that was covered in fungi that had grown around a blade of grass. I wonder how long that took.
Another log had fungi growing from the end of it. Moss was beginning to cover it.
Every now and again I came across some bright red cranberries and rose hips. The birds will probably take care of them over the next few days.
There was time to visit Elk Island Park and the Strathcona Wilderness Center today. The geese have left the pond at the SWC, leaving the beaver and muskrats in peace.
We saw a young bull moose that was photo shy and an owl that got spooked as we walked over the crunchy leaf carpet.
Time flies when the cameras are in tow. The trail that should have taken 45 minutes to hike, took more than 2 hours. There is just so much to take in before the colors of fall are covered in Old Man Winter's white blanket.
Make some time to explore. Bundle up and get some fresh air. If you don't have trails close to where you live, visit a local park or walk in your neighborhood. Take in the autumn colors. The leaves and berries are beautiful. Listen for the autumn sounds. You may hear the geese flying overhead or the blue jays squawking as they hide their winter stores. There's nothing like a walk on the wild side in the crisp autumn air! It has that magical ability to clear the mind and rejuvenate the soul.
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