We are (too) quickly approaching the Fall equinox and it seems that Summer and Fall have been duking it out. Some days we have had cooler fall-like temperatures but on other days have been hot, reminding us that it is still summer.
I thought I would share some of my observations from my morning walks at the farm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday morning was warm and humid. As I arrived at the farm a bunny, who was sitting in the driveway, scampered away. When I exited my van two deer, who were near the pond, made a quick exit into the woods as well. As the sun rose, burning off bits of fog, the dew was still heavy and glistened on blades of grass and clover leaves. My rubber boots were soaked but my feet were dry as I walked the path around the back field.
While most of the sunflowers have gone to seed, we still have one patch that are smiling brightly with their faces turned toward the rising sun.
We had planted sunflower patches several times throughout the spring and summer and this last patch is now being enjoyed by our bees and many other pollinators.
Apple picking is not far off. We have tasted a few apples but have decided they needed a bit more time to ripen.
I saw and heard many birds this morning, but this one seemed to be posing for me.
The wild flowers in the field are in transition. Thistle and Queen Anne’s Lace have all gone to seed and Golden Rod is fading, but Asters are now blossoming. The bees will forage the Asters into the fall while they continue to build their stores for winter.
The Maple trees are beginning to change color, ushering in the new season, yet the Hibiscus continue to bloom, holding tight to these last days of summer.
Wednesday morning was cooler. The sun was shielded by a thick blanket of clouds. I did not spot any rabbits or deer which is somewhat unusual. Although I wore my rubber boots, the ground was not wet and my farm shoes probably would have kept my just feet dry.
The sunflowers seemed to be searching for the sun, their heads turned in various directions.
The air was still as I walked the path around the back field, but I was amused seeing the weeds wiggled as grass hoppers jumped on them or hit them on their way by.
I didn’t hear the song birds like the previous morning instead I heard crows and then turkeys. I heard the turkeys several times as I walked the path across the field but I did not spot them until I reached the wood line.
There was a flock of them in the neighbors yard – I would have liked to get a better shot but they seemed disturbed and had I gone any closer they would have scattered.
It seems that Summer has passed way to fast this year, and as she travels south for the winter I bid her farewell.
We’ll welcome fall with hopes of many pleasant days, as there is still much work to do before winter arrives.
How about you? Has summer seemed short to you? Are you looking forward to the change of seasons? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Trooper played in the pond early in the day, but later on some of our young guests enjoyed catching perch in the pond and building sand castles on the beach.
