Yesterday I visited my summer Willow Flycatcher study sites to record some GPS data and see the wetlands in their fall colors.
Recent rains have added plenty of water to the basin.
A stream was flowing through an area that is usually dry.
The invasive reed canary grass (foreground) does not grow well when flooded, so this extra water could help the native species compete.
This Geyer willow sapling still has a few yellow leaves attached.
Most of the other shrubs and trees have lost their leaves, revealing things I had not noticed during the summer such as the smooth, tan bark of these madrone trunks.
Beaked hazels still had green leaves and catkins. In a few months, the catkins will open up and add some bright yellow color to the wintry landscape. I will definitely return to the wetland to see what is going on then.