Nature Notes: as the month turns

We had a break in the heat during August but September arrived with a return to hot and humid days.

I've been photographing the mushrooms and other fungi a great deal.

I'm starting with late August shots and moving into September later in the post.

You'll be able to tell by the toadstools where it got hotter because they ended up baking in the heat and almost look sauteed. 

Fortunately the weather is set to go back to somewhat cooler days soon although still warm.

I am looking forward to fall and am ready for cool weather.

It's fun spotting the occasional orange leaf signalling season change to come.

A few of the female cardinals still have their darker beaks.

Next is an adult female cardinal with her grown up beak.

The male cardinal below is also an adult.

Looks like some thing was trampling the mushrooms below.

Now I'm starting to get to the baked mushrooms that are cooking from the heat.

I don't know if the white patches come from something eating the skin.

I enjoy the different shapes fungus can make.

I think something has definitely been nibbling on the next mushroom.

My pecan tree is full of maturing pecans.

The cricket below jumped so high I thought he was an athlete.

The dogwood berries are slowly but surely changing to red.

It does seem odd the way single leaves will already turn orange/red while others are green.

 The signs of fall excite me so much I'm recording every sign I see.

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