An Almost Autumnal Walk In the Park

Tomorrow is the Autumnal Equinox, although we've been in the meteorological Autumn since the beginning of September. It doesn't feel like Autumn today (in the 80s temperature wise) and tomorrow will be a repeat, although we have had some very Autumnal weather recently and we're forecast to have more later this week. And it really doesn't look much like Autumn, either, at least in the general view. But look a little closer and you'll notice some Fall flowers happening, and the slightest bit of a color shift to orange and red and yellow. It's coming, and some of those hints of it were evident in today's walk in the Dykeman Spring Nature Park.

Calico Asters are a sure sign of Autumn, as is the visiting Spotted Cucumber Beetle

New York Asters are another Fall flower

Ah yes! Bittersweet berries, beloved of Fall decorators all over

This giant fungus was growing on an old log in the wetland

I caught one of the park's resident feral cats napping on the red bridge

This was one of three juvenile Mallards who decided to nap at my feet while I sat at my favorite bench by the north duck pond

This Variegated Fritillary was one of many butterflies enjoying the Boneset and Goldenrod up on the meadow

My favorite music for Autumn is Jethro Tull's Songs From the Wood album, so I thought I'd add the title track to get us all ready for walks in the woods, mulled cider, and fires at midnight. Enjoy!

 

Photos © 2019 by A. Roy Hilbinger