The last couple of days have really brought out the feeling of fall in SW Michigan. Fewer summer bird residents, cooler nights. We’ve entered an “abnormally dry” period, so that added stress is another factor in colors turning.
The Goldenrod are in full glory. There are at least three species in this mesic area. Gray Dogwood in the background are turning brownish-red. Gray Dogwood berries are a great food source for the birds.
Joe Pye-weed is mid-bloom. This is one I planted in the mesic meadow.
Grass-leaved Goldenrod is one of the few goldenrods I’ve identified. The goldenrods are very busy with late season pollinators.
Obedient Plant is an important late season nectar source for hummingbirds.
Wild Cucumber pops up in a variety of places.
The Red Elderberries are very popular with the birds. A juvenile male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was eating the last few berries, but I didn’t get his picture.
Asters are ubiquitous throughout the woods and fields. There are several species on the property, but it’s another plant that I rarely attempt to identify to the species level.
Some type of Skipper on an Ironweed blossom.
My veggie garden backs up to the mesic meadow, so I’m able to make lots of observations while gardening. Today six Turkey Vultures circled overhead.
While I was writing this diary, a fawn walked the east perimeter of the gazebo, you can see it through the screen door. All summer a fawn has been bedding down in the afternoon, close enough that I can see it clearly from the gazebo. This was taken with my iPad from my chair.
I’m still seeing Gray Catbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. As I mentioned yesterday, an Eastern Wood-pewee was still around.
Eastern Wood-pewee
The all-year residents are busy eating, too. Bluejays, Black-capped Chickadees, various Woodpeckers (a Flicker is calling as I type), Titmice, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatches and Cardinals, to name a few.
The southward Monarch migration has started. I observed just a couple of Monarchs at Lake Michigan earlier today.
THE DAILY BUCKET IS A NATURE REFUGE. WE AMICABLY DISCUSS ANIMALS, WEATHER, CLIMATE, SOIL, PLANTS, WATERS AND NOTE LIFE’S PATTERNS.
Are there signs of fall in your backyard or at your favorite haunts? Please share your observations!
