The leaves were not the only thing blowing in the very gusty winds today as snowflakes were also flying though the air. Even though the winds today stripped many leaves from the trees, it also blew some of the fallen leaves off the lawn so less raking for me to do.
Leaves Trying to Hang On
I saw a bunch of bluebirds gathering together, probably getting ready to head south, which they better do soon if they don’t want to see snowflakes.
Bluebird Ready to Head South
The sky did manage to clear in the afternoon, allowing the sun to shine on the leaves, although many trees have lost most of their leaves from the strong winds over the last few days.
Looking Up at Color
Viewing the autumn display today probably was done by cars instead of long hikes due to the rain falling on and off during the day. The strong winds also caused the leaves to float on the air before landing on the ground, soon to be covered under the winter’s blanket of snow.
Rainy Autumn Day
Today might have been the last 70 degree day for the season until next year, so it was a great day to be outside taking care of projects or taking a hike to view the autumn colors. But you probably needed your own hiking boots for the walk as these boots are a bit ‘attached’ to the posts!
Autumn Hiking Boots
The nice day had some people raking up leaves while others were out taking a drive to view the colorful leaves, even if some areas are past peak and the windy days are stripping some trees bare. This old mill was built in 1850.
Autumn at Hyde Mill
In 1933, fewer than 70 wild trumpeter swans were known to exist after being hunted to near extinction but with the discovery of the swans in Alaska in 1950s, the trumpeters have made a come back. The large native waterfowl, with a wingspan of 6 feet and weighing more than 25 pounds, they required a long 100 yard runway to get airborne.
In the fall, they begin to gather near open water and will feed on aquatic plants until winter locks away their food below a thick sheet of ice and then they migrate to an ice free location.
Fall Gathering of Trumpeter Swans
Most of the cranberry beds that I saw this morning while exploring the area had been harvested but there were several beds which the cranberries had been stripped from the vines and the cranberries were floating on the water waiting to be corralled and loaded on trucks.
Cranberries Floating Around
The harvest season is behind this year with the weird weather but soon the soybeans will be dry enough to begin harvest.
Waiting for Harvest
The changing foliage of trees are not the only part of nature providing yellow, orange and reds to view as the sunrises and sunsets as provide some colors.
October Sunset Colors
