Don went for a walk on our property in the late afternoon yesterday. He came back and his overall impression/feeling was “They’ve left.” Not a sound from the birds, bees – nothing. (I assured him the bees were alive and well; he could find them among the asters on the front lawn.)
But I know what he means. It all seems very sudden this year. Most of the birds are gone, though the Carolina wrens are around. They often stay through the winter. I hear the sounds of Canada geese every day now. I don’t see our resident groundhog, probably because he’s preparing his winter hibernation tunnel. I haven’t seen the blackbirds lately, the robins have left town, as have most of the finches.
It’s eerily quiet.
So I took that same walk; through the woods, the back forty, and down the little path to the bench that overlooks our neighbor’s fields.
Blooming in the woods.
Looking up at the sky from my perch on the bench.
The fields.
He was right. It all seems to have happened rather suddenly. It’s still warm outside with temps in the high seventies, low eighties. It seems like they should still be here! But they know what they have to do. Their clocks have told them to move on.
I miss them.
I’m sure I’ll see birds around the birdbath in October, when they stop for a refresher on their way south. But, summer is gone, even though the calendar says we have a few days of it left.
Oh, the gnats are still hanging out here.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
True story — Our beach (and really, the neighbor’s beach — I shooed them off) were literally swarming with Canada Geese this summer. I counted 130 (yes!) once, and may not have had them all. They slept, ate, hung out. I went home for a week in late August and back north. Since then, the ducks (about 25-30) have taken over that beach and the only geese I saw was a small group of seven or eight flying south at sunset. They’re heading out (Although they live all winter in the fields of MSU’s campus. Literally hundreds.) I’m not hearing birdsong either, though seeing some of the year-rounders (sparrows, jays, cardinals). Squirrels are stuffing their faces and digging holes in my pots. It’s definitely changed.
They stay here all year, as well. We have two rivers almost at our door and they love being on the rivers in the winter. I’ve heard Jays and I see sparrows. No cardinals yet, but they’ll appear in the winter.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
You find beauty on your property every season, Claudia. Do you ever get to visit your sister in Florida or does she ever come to visit you?
Haven’t been there for a while. Nor has she been here. She is very busy working and taking care of Z.
Stay safe, Ellen.
We’ve had 28 days of over 100 degree weather and the birds, rabbits and squirrels have just disappeared. Don’t know ow where they go. We are suppose to have a dramatic drop starting next week so hope the reappear. Miss them.
That is so tough, Judy! I hope they reappear and that you get a huge break in the weather.
Stay safe.
same here. we see squirrels daily and deer once or twice a month. saw a coyote along the railroad tracks last month; looked like it was waiting to cross a very busy street at rush-hour (and i wanted to help it get to the underpass, but let it be to figure things out). occasionally hear some catbirds in the trees across the trail beyond our backyard and the other paths we walk. seeing starlings and other birds congregate on the wires, also geese, ducks and (until probably the end of next month) two swans at the cemetery. the other birds are mostly headed south or on a schedule different from my own. all lovely to see and hear. i’m grateful.
grateful, too, for your thoughtful words, kindness and beautiful photos. they shine in every post, and in your life. same for don’s own kindness and his love for you (like him clearing things so he could put the bench out there for you to enjoy those wonderful views). i’m glad you found each other.
happy, safe friday to you, don and everyone else.
kathy
Yes, squirrels are running around with black walnuts and hickory nuts in their mouths!
Thanks so much, Kathy.
Stay safe.
I love how the birds can tell us a season is ending and another starting. I’m ready for some cooler weather.
They’re very wise!
Stay safe, Linda.
You have so many of nature’s signals for seasonal changes. I hardly have any. :(
We’re lucky to live here. It’s so lovely.
That’s one of the things I missed when I lived in southern California, having been raised in the midwest.
Stay safe, Wendy.
The field photo with the purple sky is divine! Thank you for sharing ~ happy Friday.
Nadine
Thank you, Nadine!
Stay safe.
You should paint your field photo! It’s beautiful!
Thank you, Darlene.
Stay safe.
Your pictures are so lovely. I just got home on my etrike, and I can tell by the air how the seasons are changing.
A specialist phoned me at suppertime. There are at least 6 drs who are trying to figure out what they’ve missed on me. A few days ago I felt a lump in my right armpit. So I’ll see my regular dr next wk. I feel awful! Its just not fun feeling unwell.
Take care, Irene.
Stay safe.