Mystery Solved and More

Thank you to "Denny144" for the answer to our duck mystery.  Our little mallard-like, light colored female is indeed a leucistic mallard and quite rare! (She is too small to be a domestic breed.)

Leucism: an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.  Thank you Merriam-Webster.

Since last we chatted, we had several days of wonderfully warm weather... the last, I'd bet!

I am sure these guys are glad to have the warmth behind them!

It seems like during the last few days, amidst Halloween festivities, and farm visitor, and our many walks in the woods, that Fall made a shift.  

The winds have picked up a little, the skies have turned grey, and so much of last week's colorful foliage has ended up on the forrest floor.

I cut the last of this year's blossoms and will enjoy them in the house for the next few days - then bouquet season will officially be over for the year.

I also did what will probably be my final search for mushrooms, as so many of them are now withering away. Although there are still fungi visible throughout winter, the variety will be greatly diminished.  With so many leaves on the ground,

 most of what I find, now, is growing within the hollowed out recesses of stumps and dead trees... protected from the frost.

They hang inside these cavities like drapery...

Sweep the leaves off of a moss-covered stump and you find...

Happily, I found a mushroom that I had been searching for these last two months - Hen of the Woods (Maitake).  This edible mushroom is one that I have foraged in the past, however, this specimen was way past its prime.

We had the pleasure of a visit from old friends, whom we had not seen in 5 years or more (they had moved out of state for medical school and residency.  During that time, their family grew by two (two boys) and a third is on the way.  We are friends with both their parents and grandmother... so, it was wonderful to have a visit from all three generations!

Like most children, the boys were fascinated by all of the animals. 

 They especially loved Ginger and gave her lots of treats.

Kids are so funny and seem to universally do the same antics... like this one... Big brother gave little brother a haircut when no one was looking! 

I had to share that as I knew it would give you a smile!  Kids are just the best and never cease to crack me up.

Lastly, on Sunday afternoon, three of Forrest's siblings and Forrest had a playdate at our local park.  It was so heartwarming to watch the four of them play together.  It was also fun to compare notes and hear how similar they are to each other.  Note:  it is next to impossible to get a head-on photo of four puppies - they were in constant motion!

You might remember adorable Oakley (he and Forrest have played a few times)

This is their handsome brother, Cooper...

And their sweet sister Ahsoka...

Each of them had their unique looks, but their personalities are very similar.

What a blast we had!!