Another sign that winter’s return is on the horizon is the loss of more of the summer birds. The orioles have been absent for several days now, both the bright males and the young chicks making their first fight to either the Caribbean, Central America, or the northern tip of South America.
Young Oriole Set to Take Off
Some of the historical sites and parks in the area probably had more visitors on this nice Sunday day before the winter season arrives. Split Rock Lighthouse was completed in 1910 and the light shone until 1969. Now it is restored to its 1920s appearance so visitors are offered a glimpse of lighthouse life in this remote and spectacular setting.
Split Rock Lighthouse
With the nights getting down into the 40s, the regrowth of a wool fleece for these sheep probably feels much better this week than during last month’s hot and humid days.
New Winter Coats
The old wooden fence may provide a temptation to walk on the top rail to see how far one might get before falling off. Even walking on narrower wooden fences was a way for farm children to entertain themselves in the era before game boys and computer games.
Split Rail Fence
The late summer day was very pleasant today, and nice weather often happens after the kids are back in school. But after schools are back in session, it does leaves the hiking trails less crowded to enjoy on a nice sunny day like following this narrow gorge the river has cut and listening to the small waterfall.
Temperance River
When the rain stops and things dry out, farmers scramble to get the field work done even the old fashion way of farming. My wagon load would not be filled as tall as I would be too short to pitch the grain bundles very high.
Loading Oats Bundles
The rain today has caused some flooding and some might feel a boat could be handy instead of a car, unless it is like this Lake Superior shipwreck which isn’t too seaworthy anymore.
Lake Superior Shipwreck
In 1884, Congress created the Labor Day holiday, which came about because workers felt they were spending too many hours (60 to 70) on the job. The holiday today for many people marks the end of summer with outings and barbecuing, but also Labor Day sales so retail workers end up working more on the holiday instead of having the day off. So maybe we should get back to the original spirit of the holiday by not working and getting away from the daily grind by disconnecting from electronics while enjoying some of nature’s beauty.
Mouth of the Baptism River
With only a light rain in the morning, the day cleared for the campers and outdoor activities for the last holiday weekend of the summer and reddish pink sunset was a nice sight to end the day.
Holiday Weekend Sunset
My backyard looked like a scene from the movie birds, except my sky was filled dragonflies instead of birds. So I wasn’t sure why the yard was more appealing than the pond where they normally hang around. None of them were sitting like this blue dasher, but instead the dragonflies just darting around the sky.
A Blue Dasher
