Full Hunters' Moon

It is misty, it is cloudy
on this Full Hunters' Moon day.

I am staying warm and dry snuggled in my house.

I know the Full Hunters' Moon will be shining bright tonight,
high above the clouds.
Please make a wish for me as she passes over your house.
I will be listening to the wind and the rain.

Lexington, Missouri

My husband and I took a day trip
to Lexington, Missouri.

We learned a bit of history.
A famous civil war battle was fought here.

A Chinese Mantis patrolled the gate to the garden
that was near the battle field.

A Question Mark butterfly
reminded me of all my questions of why.

I did some Autumn shopping and a wee bit of leaf peeking.
I have two more weekend adventures planned.
More history lessons, more shopping and more leaves to watch fall.

Gypsy

Orange and black

I am wearing Monarch colors.

Orange Dog on Garden Rue

The caterpillar of the Giant Swallowtail
is called an Orange Dog.

Three Orange Dogs were on my
Garden Rue this morning.

It is late in the season.
I wonder if the caterpillars overwinter?

Scarecrow

A pair of Tufted Titmouse,
or is it Tufted Titmice,
came to the feeder.




I think they are cute.
They are year around residents in my area.

The bugs still fly in the afternoon sun.
Once the bees and butterflies warm up they are active.
The Monarchs are still migrating.
I watched a few fly over the house.

A Groundhog grazed in the backyard.
I did not plant my autumn lettuce.
I knew there would be no reason to with
a family of Groundhogs near by.
They will hibernate once the weather turns cold.

We stayed home today and built our scarecrow.
He will watch over the gardens until December.
Maybe I will plant my lettuce now.

Festival

We went to the cider mill for apples
and found a craft festival.

These gourds are beautiful.

Honey Crisp apples are my favorite.

I looked in my "Discovering Moths" field guide and I cannot decide if my bug
is a Yellow-collared Scape Moth or a Virginia Ctenucha?

Red-spotted Purple on yellow mums
took my breath away.
Autumn festivals are so fun.
I hope to go to a few more this month!
I need pumpkins for the porch.

Sound Traveler

October reading

Amy Goldman knows her squash.
After reading this book I felt as if I too knew my squash.
At least I was less afraid to grow squash.

" Pumpkinology 101" tells how to grow the
mammoth pumpkins.
I shall never be a Pumpkin King,
but I can dream.

Squash bugs get my pumpkins every year.

No secrets told on how to get rid of them!

It is the beginning of soup season.

It is time to tremble.

Lots of books.
What's on your nightstand?

Sitting with mums

I sat with some of the mums this morning.

My October 2nd daytime activity.

Tonight I will turn the outside lights on.

Mornings are cool and afternoons warm;
perfect October days.

Garden tomato sandwiches for supper.

Season of the Ancients

Please join with me as
I begin celebrating October,
The Season of the Ancients.

All month I will remember those
that have gone before me.

I am wearing orange and black today.

I am studying color.
I am sitting with the marigolds.

My activity today is gathering seeds.
Those that went before me gathered seeds.
They held the hope for another spring.

Happy October!

Farewell September

A flock of Robins greeted me
this morning.

They were eating ripe Poke berries.

Chippy likes dried cherries
and his nuts.




September has been fun.

The North wind has begun to blow.
The smell of October is in the air.
I am ready to dance with the leaves.

Goodbye, September!
Farewell, so long!
Thanks so much for a fine time.
See you next year.

New Apple Moon

Today is the New Apple Moon.

Today I honour the Apple tree.
Today I celebrate the apple.

It is also Michaelmas.




Friend butterfly and friend Apple

basking in the Autumn sunshine.
Happy New Apple Moon.

Sunday Safari

I hunted all summer to see a Walkingstick.



Caterpillars are about.

Spiders are weaving webs all over the garden.

I am hanging up my safari hat for this year.
It has been very fun hunting for bugs this summer.

October is coming.
My Sundays will be filled with October activities.
It is almost pumpkin time.

Four September Suns

"Hello"

Last week
I heard a new bird's song.

Lisa from Greenbow was kind to identified my new arrival as a
Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Thank you, Lisa.

My bird book says the male and the female look the same.

They are named after their lower bill (mandible).

I am so pleased Yellow-billed Cuckoo has stayed for a few days.

They are summer residents in our forests and winter in Argentina.

Perhaps now that this one has found my backyard habitat he will return next summer.

Maybe he will bring his mate.

My book says they are in decline.
I will learn about these remarkable birds so I can provide food and shelter.

I am so pleased he stopped for fueling and resting during his migration.

My new best bird friend

The Blue Jay waits for me each morning.
He waits with the Wrens and the Cardinals.
They get along just fine.

This morning, while I was taking pictures with my new macro lens,
he came to see what I was doing.

I turned when I heard him speak.
He was less than 6 inches from my camera.

He is amazing.

I am studying shadows.
I am studying polka dots and moonbeams.

Decorating

I am packing up the September decorations.
I am getting the house and gardens ready for October.

We still have Dragonflies about.
They are part of who I am.

Mums are taking center stage.

Shadow art takes the place of Summer chalk drawings.

The morning dew is heavy.
I have set aside the week to get ready.

October is almost here.