Bladderwort

'high valley' (photo taken Sept. 1)

They predict better weather, but today we even had hail.
I wonder if we just had the coldest summer on record. I jumped in the water only twice this summer. That is an all time low.
But that's not the reason I got wet today.
After feeling all good and such, because I had been thinking about the beauty of life.
Being in a glorious mood, I definitely wanted to be out there.
I would have liked to go out to Kusawa and see if the campground was flooding.( How exciting.)
But I had just washed the car, our road has turned in to a mud hole. And well that would be silly, to drive it through the mud again.
Back on the bike! After Kusawa , I had a longing to go back to the '911 pond', because two days ago I had come upon that interesting yellow flower, Bladderwort. It turns out there are 3 kinds and of course I like to know for sure which one I came upon.
And I would like to see the Swans again anyway.

Today ,still cloudy, but the mountains are visible. As I ride out the sun even tries to peek through.
Turning onto the highway I can see it raining in the distance. Soon enough I am biking in a hail storm, loving it (true).
I am full of energy. And coming onto the meadow, I am not going to be all quiet and slow.
Sure enough I don't get to see the Swans. I don't really know if they sensed me, because nobody else seems disturbed . A big hawk gives beautiful displays. It is a reddish one with a white band on the tail. It flies low , hunting , hovers in the air and dives.

I first doesn't notice, but I think the water in the marsh is a few inches higher.
What is different first, is that the water is alive. As I walk , things jump out of the way through the water, like little fish.???
And then when I come to the channel I crossed yesterday , both my boots scoop water.
But I am mystified when I can't find the Bladderwort. Sure there not that many little ponds.
I check them all out, I am now wet up to my knees. And if you think well that's not bad, you are right, but I am wearing woollen socks , rain boots with felt liners and long underwear.
On one pond in the distance I see something which resembles the bladders of the Bladderwort. I try to get close, and brought a stick to lift out a specimen. But alas, I decide to give up, I am not going to be up to my waist in the water.
It might have to wait till next year, for now I have to be content with... glorious views and
the splendour of Autumn.
As a gift, I find a striped feather. Thank you!