The Weather Change is Here

We're getting some of the effects of tropical storm Nicole that devastated Florida's east coast on Thursday. I tucked away the last of lawn furniture and decorations this afternoon. It was mild and very pleasant to work outside. Bob Mackay was here in the morning finishing trimming some of my big evergreens and clearing away brush that has been overtaking  some spots on the lower lawn, and my neighbors, John and Liz Randall came up to see how my view of Joe's Pond is since they've had some trees cut at their place. I'm very happy that I am finally able to see the water again behind the islands! John may still take out a few more, and that is making their place much more open - more like it was 20 or so years ago when they first came here. It will also improve my view a bit more. It's amazing how quickly underbrush takes over and how fast trees grow.

We will be getting more rain over the weekend, and probably by Sunday night or Monday, a bit of snow. Our fall has been beautiful this year, no doubt as a result of global warming, but I think most people have enjoyed it, in spite of our knowing the damage it is doing at the same time. The moon has been spectacular, too. Diane Rossi sent me pictures taken from her house (left).  At right, I've included one that I took from my deck that same night - looking towards the pond in the direction of the Randall's. Nowhere near as spectacular as Diane's, but I can see a bit of reflection on the water now, which is way more than I've seen in years. The next photo on the left was taken the night after the ones above; Diane got that nice shot of the moon and clouds as our weather began to change.

This morning, my bird feeder that is attached high off the ground on one of my big living room windows, was missing. I found it on the ground, covered in bear slime and cracked. I was able to clean it up and mended it with hot glue -- but I took it in tonight. I was thinking the bears wouldn't be interested because they should be very well fed this time of year with all the apples, nuts and berries that have been available. However, this guy was looking for a special treat, I guess. 

The Randalls told me that when they arrived earlier this week they found their gas grill completely mangled with parts strewn over their lawn and driveway. They had left it out knowing they were coming back in a couple of weeks - but John said he'll put it away after this. If he can get it to work again! It may be a total loss. Could be the same bear that visited me - and possibly the one I caught on my game camera a few weeks ago.

I thought I'd move my camera to a location near the bird feeder in case the bear came calling again tonight - but when I checked the card this morning, it was empty, so the camera hasn't been working - again. It acted up a while back and Bob Mackay got it going again for me; so he took it home with him today and called late this afternoon to say he'd found the problem, some corrosion in the battery contacts, and now it's working fine. I'll get it set up again probably tomorrow. 

In the meantime, my two little ponds are functioning well - the new supply pond, filled quickly and that is keeping the main pond (at right) full. I still have frogs on the banks that haven't found shelter for the winter yet -- I think the nice weather has confused them. They'll become dormant soon, once the weather changes. John and Liz took these pictures today when we were exploring the new feeder pond setup. The earth hasn't entirely firmed up under the straw Ben and Shawn put down where they had to dig around the pond to lay drainage pipes, so we were having to be very careful on the fairly steep bank. I usually take my trusty walking stick when I go out there, but I didn't have it with me today. Nobody fell in the mud or toppled into the pond, fortunately! It will be interesting to see how things look after all the rain we're expecting. I wish there had been a little more time for the grass to get started again before we get heavy rain, but I'm confident everything will be ok. It will all settle down eventually.

I hope today some of you got to enjoy parades honoring our veterans. Most of us have family or friends who have served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam or Afghanistan, but everyone can appreciate our service men and women and their families for sacrificing so much to serve our country. One day a year certainly isn't enough to properly thank them, but at least it lets them know they aren't forgotten.

There has been some concern about people walking or riding bikes on the rail trail during hunting season. That is a valid concern, especially as more of the trail is being opened up this fall. Please be aware and wear bright red, hunter orange or some other vivid color so you won't be mistaken for a deer or a bear. Best not to have any white that might be mistaken for the tail of a deer, but hunter orange shows up very well or bright green or red. Dark colors are a definite don't. Please be careful. If you are a hunter - please wait until you are absolutely positive you know what you're shooting at before you pull the trigger.