Cold gray skies filled with the feel of winter, trees exploding into fiery colors and a steady stream of noisy flights of Canadian geese headed south are unmistakable signals that summer has indeed come to an end.
Areas of the woods around the pond that a few weeks ago were too dense to see through are now beginning to open up as the leaves fall.
There are still a few trees that are still sporting their summer green but it is obvious that it won’t be long before they to decide to go dormant for the winter.
The young Mallard drakes are now able to show off their mature colors and appear to be feeling their oats. Every time a new pair of Mallards land on the pond the resident young males immediately make their way straight towards them and a small scuffle ensues.
I can’t figure out if they are trying to assert their claim on the pond or to see if they can somehow get the attention of any newly arrived hens.
As much as I hate to say it I haven’t seen any eagles or the pond’s Muskrats in quite a while. Usually when I make such a statement they show up the next time I visit. What I have seen though are Belted Kingfishers. They have found their way back to the pond and are splashing around and fighting with each other like it was spring.
My friend the Great Blue heron, which I have been mistakenly been calling a great gray, is still hanging around stuffing itself with trout and whatever else is unfortunate enough to wander within range of its dagger like beak. I have read that it is not unheard of for young herons not to make their way south. I hope that this one does not make that mistake. While its feathers are quite impressive I don’t think they are designed to protect it from the bitter northern cold.
On my way out yesterday I spent a few minutes walking around the pond enjoying the colors. These are a few of the shots I got.
Even though summer is over it certainly doesn’t mean that the whole world is going to sleep. There is still a lot to enjoy in the outside world. Get out there and find it!
Have a great day.
Kevin
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