To the woods

The arch of the Autumn leaves

beckoned me into the woods.

The thistle has gone to seed.

The algae bloom is over.
The pond is beginning to clear.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
made his way around the tree.

My bird book says I am in the northern part of his winter range.
I know he migrates.
Maybe he is passing through.
Welcome, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!
You are worth lots of happiness points.

Monarchs

The Monarchs are still migrating.

I see them as I go about the city.


In my gardens they rest and nectar.



I watch them each day.

They like orange flowers.

Autumn walk

We walked at the Arboretum
this afternoon.

I looked at the seeds.

Autumn for me is about seeds.

Many Cloudless Sulphurs were feeding.

Some thistle seed came home in my pocket.
I hope to have thistles next year in my backyard.

Sunny and warm

The afternoon air was almost hot!
The sky was clear and the sun was bright.
I walked up to Cave Springs.
I wanted to check on the little pond.

Four elementary school buses were empty
in the parking lot.
I could hear the children
in the woods.

I hiked a deer trail that took me
away from the pond and the cave
and the children.

The canopy was filled with Robins
and Northern Flickers giving the alarm call.

Their cries were muted.
The voices of the children filled the woods.

I seldom hear children at play.
It was a joy to hear them find a spider!

Around the block

I took my walk around the block today.
The colors of October surprised me.
I shall be thinking of ways to add pink.



The seed pod of the Southern Magnolia are gorgeous.
I gathered a few for my potpourri bowl.

I put the macro lens on the camera.
I was looking for up close and personal.
The wasp protected the nest.

The Orange Sulphur Butterfly paid no attention to me.
She was busy shooing bees from the wild asters.

I sat on the curb and watched the Damselfly.

Remembering Little Ones

I walked in the cemetery this afternoon.
I walked in the children's garden.
I honored innocence.
I honored tenderness.
I honored life that came for one day.

The Little Kitten we found
did not make it through the night.

We tried to feed her.
We held her to keep her warm.
We cared.

The cemetery was filled with
Butterflies and Dragonflies.

I found a few seed pods to bring home and a feather.
I found some hope.
One day of life spent with two humans.
Little Kitten was very sweet.

Wild Asters

After the morning shower
I went walking down the street.

Small stands of wild asters greeted me.
They were tucked here and there in my neighbors yards.

The morning was cloudy and cool.

The asters provided food for the hover flies,
honey bees

and skippers.
The little wild asters are charming.