The Golden Days of October

I have only seen a couple of pine siskins, so they are still en route from their summer homes. And, perhaps most importantly, the sharp-shinned hawk which has been a frequent visitor over the past couple of winters has yet to arrive. The songbirds can feed in peace for another month or so, but once he gets back, they'll all need to be extra vigilant. I don't mind the hawk, he's part of nature's natural selection process. Maybe he can help keep my thistle bill down by limiting his diet to fat goldfinches!

What changes will the next week bring? At this time of year things happen quickly, as is evidenced by everything from the changing produce at the farmer's market to the birds which come to the feeders. Winter is coming. But until it arrives, I'm enjoying being outdoors among the changing colors of the scarlet and gold leaves, the faint hint of woodsmoke and apple cider in the air, and the song of the red-breasted nuthatch.

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