Found in the Fells – November

In some years good fall colors can still be seen early in the month, but as November progesses the forest floor becomes carpeted with nature's discards; and if there hasn’t already been a frost, there soon will be. Snow in November is not so common in the Fells and ponds wont freeze over yet. But the Beech leaves stay holding on looking like burnished copper, and faintly tinkling in the wind. Shafts of light penetrate deeper into the woods giving delightful patterns and highlights. And the Witch Hazel continues to bloom through it all well into November, the long twisted yellow petals reminding some of a witch’s fingers.

     Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana 11-20-04                                Beech  leaves in a breeze

Indeed not all is lifeless by any means. The animals are not the only ones busy preparing for winter. Several plants have been quietly forming buds ready for next spring. Skunk Cabbage is one with thick gray-green pointed sheaths that will sit out the winter, sometimes under water, ready to reveal their unusual flowers late next March. [You don't have to wait five months to see this - just click on 'March' back on the main webpage]. And the several members of the Ericaceae family that are so abundant in the Fells - the Blueberries, Huckleberry, Bearberry and others - all have buds ready for next spring.


           Shoots of Skunk Cabbage      11-01-05                               A plump bud of  Swamp Azalea
                                                                                                        getting ready for next June, Shiner Pool