Aug 29 - Willow Lake (BCC)

 Sunny day with temps near 80 degrees - finally!

It's work Friday but after finishing my day and an hour for next, I take off for a hike up to Willow Lake. I haven't been there in about month so it's definitely time.

No moose or deer sighting heading up the canyon and it's surprisingly empty. Could be the kids are back in school but I like it.

I arrive at the TH and there are only 2 cars parked. I arrive before 9am.

Pretty much everything or in seed at this point. I manage to find a few Purple Aster flowers and a yellow composite but they are hard to find.

Quiet this morning as it's cloudy.

Many holes in the trail, especially the 1st switchback, very confusing.

Also there are deer tracks on the trail.

I arrive at the meadow to meet all 4 of the cars' occupants. I have the lake to myself. 

The rain we had this week definitely raised the lake level.

I circle around to the other side where I am finding many more flowers in bloom - asters, a few geraniums, etc.

I finally get a good at the lake

and a family of Mallards cleaning themselves.

I head around and back into the forest. I find a few Paintbrush surviving.

I complete the loop

and it's time to head down.

I stop for a Downy/Hairy Woodpecker.

I also get buzzed by a tiny bird I originally though was a butterfly. Never got a photo though.

Good day!

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