Autumn – Where Are You?

This is another article from my Through the Lens of a Nature Lover blog, dated October 2023.

 I’m impatient. This summer has lasted far longer than necessary. I loved all the ‘new to me’ plants I discovered, as well as the experience I gained by growing different varieties of native flowers in my gardens. I’ve learned so much and enjoyed sharing my discoveries with you all, but I’m ready for a change. The heat and humidity have done me in.

Autumn – where are you?

Some folks associate autumn with death. Not me. Sure, plants and trees lose their leaves, and flowers no longer grace the landscape, but they don’t die. Instead, they’re taking a little time to rest and recuperate from a busy season of growing.

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. Mother Nature exchanges summer’s oppressive heat with cool, crisp, delightful, pleasant mornings. The crunching, crackling sounds of creatures scurrying through the leaves and the awe-inspiring magnificent colors dotting the rambling landscape revitalize me.

Plus, there is so much activity! Birds, animals, reptiles, bugs, and all the other life we share this planet with have a lot to do during autumn. I love to watch insects madly buzzing and flittering around the asters and goldenrods.

Their time to prepare for the cold weather slips away along with the dwindling hours of daylight. Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, wasps, and all the other bugs scurry from blossom to blossom, feasting on the last dregs of nectar while collecting the vital grains of pollen and seeds needed to sustain their new generations until next spring. The same goes for frogs, reptiles, squirrels, possums, and other wildlife. Unless planning to stay awake all winter, creatures are preparing for their well-deserved restorative nap.

The first frost denotes that prep time has come to a close. Ready or not, it’s time to get into their hollow logs, plant stems, burrows, nests, or under the leaves. Winter is on its way.

For me, the first frost says to unpack the sweaters and turtlenecks. It’s time to layer up and stay toasty warm while enjoying the beauty of the season.

After all the fields are harvested and the surrounding underbrush cleared away, so many familiar avenues beckon my return. I can revisit areas I haven’t seen since early summer. I’ll photograph the unique loveliness of the deserted tobacco, corn, and cotton stubble left stranded in the fields. The winter wheat will wave a friendly greeting as I brush my hand over the stalks.

I’m looking forward to seeing the vibrant colors painting the countryside. The persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) and black cherry (Prunus serotine) trees, along with the winged sumac (Rhus copallina) and American beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) bushes, will bear ripening fruit for the birds and wildlife to munch on over the winter. I can’t wait!

American Beautyberry

Winged Sumac

Unfortunately, warm weather sticks around where I live through October. So I have a few more weeks until I can trade my t-shirt for a sweatshirt. Until then, I’ll continue observing the bugs prepping for winter, dreaming of the cooler days to come.

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Dear Reader,
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Greta

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Greta

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