Grab your shoes, it's time for today's nature walk!

Did a bit of a rainy hike after work. Wasn't a complete downpour like over the weekend, so was able to stay out and actually see things.

Starting off, found a green heron right away doing a bit of fishing.

Quite a bit of purple loosestrife around, though not too surprising since it's invasive.

Unfortunately missed my chance at a better shot of this pileated woodpecker since my glasses fogged up at an inopportune time, but still managed to get something.

Was surprised to see this monarch butterfly out in the rain.

Found a bit of evening primrose nearby with a few early blooms.

And boy there was a lot of Canada goldenrod around as well.

Found a milkweed pod opening a bit early. This almost seemed like someone (or something) had opened it though.

There was a bit of white baneberry around. I always love how odd it looks.

Found a bullfrog judging me from his log.

And two more bullfrogs on their own log. I think I heard them talking about something like one only telling lies and the other only the truth...

This was a neat find, nearly walked by this northern tooth fungus at the base of a tree.

Always love my jewelweed. It's just those bright colors.

Found a bit of a soggy female cardinal fluttering about.

A bit more jewelweed. I just really liked that rich red on this one.

Found a few oyster mushrooms on the side of a branch that were playing host to quite a few guests.

Still not too much growth on this artist's conk mushroom so far this year. Wondering if it'll grow more closer to Autumn.

This was a new one, a bit of angel wing mushrooms poking up from the forest floor.

And just a tiny chicken of the woods mushroom.

This guy was a big old buck. Think he's one of the ones I saw last year.

Another nice line-up shot of the previous buck plus a younger one with a damaged antler. Sadly, if he damaged the pedicle like it appears he did then it'll always grow like that each year.

And one more shot, with side profiles of both.

Nearly stepped on this tiny fowler's toad since it blended into the gravel so well.

Saw a family of turkeys out for a stroll on the path. I watched them for a bit before choosing another trail to detour around them.

Seeing cardinal flowers in quite a few new locations this year and I'm loving it.

This one was a bit tricky to identify. Best estimate from someone else who is good with plants is a moonflower but I could be wrong on that.

Found a tiny pond lily bloom just starting to peek from its bud.

A bit more cardinal flower.

Came across a doe going down the trail the opposite way as me.

Got one more shot before we went separate ways.

Found a bit of tick-trefoil that was a bit damp from all the rain.

Tonight was a night for deer, it seems. Saw this mom and fawn combo from across one of the ponds.

Also the night for bullfrogs, though with the damp weather that's less surprising.

And finally, saw this grey squirrel enjoying some sort of treat as its spoils after it chased off a red squirrel.

Overall, it was a wonderful walk out in the woods during the rain. It was just a nice, steady rain which made it much more peaceful than the other day. As always though, if you enjoyed this hike I highly encourage you to check out my previous hikes.