Nature Journal

Notes about birds, mammals, wildflowers, insects, and more



	Saturday, September 13, 2003

	I sometimes enjoy being in the woods during rain showers. The sound of the rain falling all around me is so special! Recently I was in the woods sitting under some pine trees. Then the wind blew and a shower of pine needles fell all around me - and on me. What a beautiful, gentle sound! And the reddish color of the pine needles was so pretty! I stayed in that same spot for a while, and each time the wind blew, another shower of pine needles came down. I could hardly tear myself away to come home.


	Thurday, September 11, 2003

	While I was out walking today, I spotted a Red Admiral near an open field. This butterfly migrates southward when the weather begins to get cold - usually sometime in
	September or October.


	Tuesday, September 9, 2003

	The barred owl has been quite vocal lately. It was calling last night for a period of more than an hour. At first it was making its "hoo-hoo-hoohoo, hoo-hoo-hoohoo" calls. Then later I heard some of the "hoo-aw" calls. I'd heard very little from this owl for a long period of time - until about a week ago. I'm guessing that it was being quiet during the nesting period and while the fledglings were still unable to fend for themselves.


	Sunday, September 7, 2003

	While I was out watching Mars through my telescope the other night, I heard the coyotes yipping on the next ridge. Haven't heard them for a while. However, the coyotes didn't hold my attention for long. Mars was my prime interest, though I did get a good look at the moon and its craters also.
	Photo credit NASA/JPL

	Friday, September 5, 2003

	Some leaves on the red maples are turning color - and also a few on the sugar maples. The sumac leaves are changing to a pretty red. I wonder if the cool nights we've been having lately will make for a nice foliage season - though it may be too early to have an effect. Well, as someone once told me, the only time you know how colorful the foliage season will be is after it's over!


	Wednesday, September 3, 2003

	Late yesterday afternoon, I heard some Canada geese flying south. It's the first flock that's come by this year. Many other aquatic birds start their migration around this time, including the common loon, double-crested cormorant, and great blue heron. Shorebirds, such as the sanderling and
	sandpipers, are also beginning their journey south.


	Monday, September 1, 2003

	The chipmunks have been pretty quiet for the past couple of months. But lately, they've been getting more vocal. I've been hearing my favorite "chuck, chuck, chuck" sound and also the high-pitched squeaking sounds chipmunks make during territorial skirmishes.


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