Easing into autumn

After fall-like weather in August, it feels more summer-ish in September. But the sun is at a more southern angle, the sky is a paler shade of blue, and the nighttime temps are in the 50's and 60's, so it feels rather delightful. Not knowing how to dress is an issue I can live with.

The yard is easing into autumn as well. The lack of rain is causing some leaves to fall from dryness, and the lawn is on pause. The riot of summer is over, but a few things bear observation.

The Canada geese are migrating.

I love a parade!

Despite my neglect, this sweet potato vine is hanging in there.

Goldern arches

'Blue Muffin' continues to disappoint, but 'Chicago Lustre' is making up for that this year.

Bird food

I can barely get through the areas north (hostas and goldenrod) and south (norther sea oats, bee balm, goldenrod, rudbeckia, unwanted lambs quarter) of the house. I can't view the north side from inside the house (it runs along the garage), but I look out on this mess from bedroom and bathroom windows.

Bee Alley

Today's "word of the day" is "pensive" - and that is how I'm feeling.

It's a goose parade!

While walking the dog the other day, I witnessed this multi-family gaggle of geese marching down to the neighborhood pond. There are at least 25 of them, maybe three sets of parents. This is something Canada geese do after hatching their brood - they combine families, the better to protect them.

The butterfly weed is starting to bloom. I'm keeping an eye on the plants to see if any caterpillars start munching on them. They need to get more fully established before becoming a food source. Not that I've seen many butterflies so far this year.

After my kvetching about the lack of wildlife in my yard, the other day I spotted the first hummingbird of the season amongst the penstemon. And I've seen goldfinch as well. If the robins don't eat the serviceberry, though, I'm going to harvest it myself.