Mid-autumn things, and a taste of winter

 Autumn, and especially October, is my favourite time of year. The weather is usually quite appealing, not hot and humid, and there are still lots of things to enjoy out in the natural world. And of course October is the month that I got to marry Marie, almost 50 years ago, and that was a significant reason to be thankful.

I enjoy watching the change in colours, as the autumn season winds down. Here is a progression over the last few weeks, from one of my preferred vantage points.

October 8

The next one is a bit brighter, sunnier day.

October 28

And finally, on a partly cloudy but mostly clear sky day.

October 31

I was out a couple of days ago, but it was quite windy and many of the leaves were off. I don't know what it would look like today, Nov 9, but this is what it looked like out my kitchen window!

It probably wasn't quite so white at Rondeau, as the lake effect would have kept the weather slightly warmer, and any snow that fell would not have lasted long.

A bit earlier, there were some sunny and moderately warm days, which can be interesting. Some butterflies were still flitting about. Nothing rare, but nice to see as the season winds down. I had 6 of the first one...

Eastern Comma

...but only a single of this next one.

Mourning Cloak

Some fungi were still developing. This first one, Destructive Pholiota, had fruiting bodies earlier, but they dropped off, or got knocked off, so they tried again.

Oct 28

Nov 4

Pear-shaped Puffball

Other things I took the opportunity to photograph, include:

Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar

Marbled Orb Weaver

Next is the leaf of a rare orchid known as Puttyroot. It is in the later part of the autumn that the leaf appears, and will stay like this all winter, until the flowering stem appears in late May/early June. At that point, the leaves dry up and aren't normally visible when the plant is flowering.

Next is Silky Parchment, another type of fungus.

Wooly Bear Caterpillars are seen quite regularly.

There is still a good variety of birds to be seen at times, flitting about the shrubbery or whatever, seeking sustenance from the berries. White-throated Sparrows, shown first, were quite abundant in dogwood thickets where the berries of Gray Dogwood, or sometimes a non-native rose can be found.

American Robins are migrating in good numbers, and can be found feeding on the berries of Red Cedar.

There was a fairly good crop of acorns this year, so these next three species are all taking advantage of them.

Blue Jay

This Red-bellied Woodpecker is trying to stash an acorn in a tree limb, planning on feeding on it later in the winter.

Wild Turkeys are scattered about, and feed on acorns as well.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are undoubtedly the most common warbler persisting in the area these days. A small number may stick around all winter.
 

Enjoy any remaining autumn colours....they won't be around much longer!

Autumn beauty

 It appears that the late autumn weather is finally over. Autumn is my favourite season, in part because it was in October when Marie and I decided to get married back in 1976. 

Autumn was always a little quieter and more peaceful in the world of nature, as things were winding down and getting ready for winter. It was also one of the main seasons when we went on some of our longest travels to somewhere on the continent.

The colours can be amazing as the trees of the forest change from rich greens to golden yellows and/or bright reds, before ending up a duller brown and on the ground. Some maples can be exceptionally bright, such as this one shown above in late October. It was in the campground, on October 21

This post will feature the changes from a single vantage point at Rondeau, that being along Bennett Avenue.

I started documenting the beginning of the change in later October, since before then there was hardly any differences in the leaf colour at all.

Oct 24

Oct 29

In this case, the photo of Oct 24 seems to be more vivid than the one on Oct 29. One of the factors in determining the intensity of colour is the brightness of the sun at the time I took it.

Nov 1

Nov 7

Nov 11

As you can see, the entire change over doesn't take long, so I tried to get out regularly before it advanced too quickly.

While I focused on this particular spot, I did meander along several other roads and trails.

The photo above was taken along the closed to vehicles section of Rondeau Road on Nov 1. As you can see, the road is fairly covered with fallen leaves, with a few less in the middle. I think that is due to bicycle traffic or hikers. So it was an attractive scene. With so much leaf cover either here or on some of the designated hiking trails, it was hard to walk quietly due to the sound of footsteps shuffling through the dry leaves.

I did see a few people out and about but not many. One of the things I found curious was seeing a few people out for a brisk walk along this or another road, but with their head down looking at the pathway in front of them, and with headphones or ear plugs listening to whatever! They were missing some of the ambiance of nature, the rustling of the leaves and the occasional bird sound like a Pileated Woodpecker tapping away. But I guess each person has their own priorities. 

For anyone interested in acquiring either of my two books, Life on a Sandspit or Natural Treasures of Chatham-Kent, for Christmas or whatever, be advised that they are currently available at the following locations:

Book Brothers, 25 King St East, in Chatham

Lavender & Honey, also on King St. East, Chatham

Bayview Market, just outside of the gates of Rondeau. Due to the end of the camping season, Bayview Market is only open Thursday through Sunday.

Mindful Market and Ecohub, 104 Talbot St W in Blenheim

Mitton's Jeweler's and Gifts, 10 Main St East, Ridgetown

If you would like to subscribe, or unsubscribe, to Nature Nuggets, send an email to: prairietramper@gmail.com

Random seasonal highlights, late larvae, etc.

 With the seasonal ups and downs, it must have some of the butterflies confused. I don't recall ever seeing Black Swallowtail caterpillars so abundant so late in the season, but just in the last couple of days before the temperature took a significant drop (Oct 25), we came across three caterpillars out feeding on some carrots that are still in the garden.

They were all fairly well developed, so if they hurried, they may have been able to complete this stage and form a pupa for the over winter period.

Good luck to them!

The Keith McLean Conservation Lands have been an ongoing place of interest. One never knows what to expect, except that it seems to attract Nelson's Sparrows fairly regularly in October. I have been there a couple of times, and have seen them both times, but they are often elusive and do not cooperate for the camera. Some folks have gotten some quite good photos during their visits, but so far I have only gotten one poor record shot, as shown next.

This is one of my best shots, from a couple of years ago. There is still time for more attempts this year, but depending on the weather, opportunities will be dwindling.

White-crowned Sparrows were a little more accommodating.

There have been lots of Green-winged Teal, and other ducks. This next photo shows some of these teal, and in their midst are some Dunlin and a single Killdeer. Dunlin have been quite abundant, with sometimes more than 100 noted.

Dunlin in flight

Occasionally another lingering shorebird can be found, such as this Greater Yellowlegs I photographed there a couple of days ago.

One or two Great Blue Herons sometimes provide a photo op.

I missed out on the Cattle Egret that was seen on one occasion, but it may still be around somewhere in Chatham-Kent. I will keep looking!

At Rondeau, there is an abundance of berries on some but not all, of the Red Cedars, especially in the campground, and if one can find the right tree that the birds have also found, it can be rewarding. Light is important, but the birds are not considering that in their quest for nourishment. 

Robins, of course....

....and it is nice to see a group of Cedar Waxwings, both adults....

...and young of the year. I kept an eye open for the very rare Bohemian Waxwing, but did not see any. No one else has reported them lately either, but it is not impossible.

Pileated Woodpeckers are year-round residents of Rondeau, but not commonly seen. Decent photo ops are always fun.

It wasn't all that long ago that the forest looked typically like this, still fairly green and luxuriant.

These next few are from one of my 'go-to' spots to show the changes. It is at the corner of Rondeau Road and Gardiner Ave.

October 19

Oct 23

October 27

There is more and more sky showing, but by moving a bit and using a longer focal lens, I can get the colourful tunnel look.

This next photo is at another one of my 'go-to' spots to show the colour. It is along Bennett Ave.

Elsewhere not far from home, I have been up along the Lake St. Clair wetlands. There have been a few of the usual things of interest, including a few Midland Painted Turtles soaking up some late season sunshine.

Sandhill Cranes continue to be seen.....

Duck diversity is increasing, such as these three Northern Pintail in amongst Canada Geese and other ducks.

A highlight was to see this single Snow Goose, not all that surprising given the time of year. More are likely soon, along with things like Ross's Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose. I will be on the lookout for them soon!

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