Nature Notes: The first five days in October

After a period of hard rain brought September to an end, the first day of October had partial clearing and considerably cooler weather.

I took the shot above on October 1 and the shot below on October 2. I'm sure the path below flooded because it always does with hard, prolonged rain but by the time I walked on it a day and a half without rain had started the drying process.

The next four photographs were taken on the third day of October and it was a lovely day.

I would say the pair below were in a deep conversation except they were both more intent on grooming than chatting.

Hard to believe that before too long the green below will be red, gold and orange. Those are mostly later trees to change colors but when it happens it seems to happen fast.

The geese and ducks were swimming pretty fast and created lots of swirling in the water. There was a little wind too but not much.

The next four photographs were ones I took on the fourth day of October.

It was humorous when I took the shot above. I looked up at my dogwood and thought I'd focus in on the red leaf and then I realized it was a male cardinal. I think fall is one of the few times the male cardinals have much natural camouflage.

The robins seem to be getting busier with cooler days. I can't believe how fast the holly berries are changing. In a matter of less than a week they went from mostly green to a rusty red color and I'm sure will be bright red soon.

The little guy below blended in very well with the dried leaves. Those are last years leaves I used for mulch. It will be a while before this year's oak trees start changing and falling.

The rest of the shots were taken on October 5. I walked to a near by corner shop and was pleased to see the mix of colors.

I was very surprised by the butterfly I spotted in the parking lot. I managed to photograph him before he flew away.

I was startled to see the hawk circling overhead. I haven't seen the hawks this summer but did last winter and spring. I guess this is when they come back to the neighborhood.

I like the way trees change colors at different times and they end up with contrasts and also extend the colorful time.

The last shot is the same dogwood tree at my house that I photographed the cardinal in for an earlier shot in this post.

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