20120920 North Country Trail

This year's drought has been especially severe, the effect of which has been to turn several wetlands into very different sorts of terrain. This is ordinarily a small pond, but this year is a field of grass - by virtue of the hole in the canopy normally caused by the pond itself - has replaced it. 

This field of grass is actually a creek, which meanders through the forest adjacent to the North Country Trail.

Here an oxbow, orphaned by low water levels, abuts a pine forest, very common to the area.

A bridge crosses the creek here, one of several along this length of the trail which are sadly unnecessary this year.

To the right, another grassy snake, winding through the forest in lieu of water, and to the left of it, a long wooden footbridge, patiently awaiting future need.

But no, really not necessary today, old friend. Tomorrow, perhaps.