Nature Friday ~ September 16, 2022

Well, well, well…looky here…we managed to reach Friday without hurting anyone or anything so now it’s time to join our pals over at Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop where folks share some slices of nature. Make sure you check out the link of all those who participate.

Hopefully (and without jinxing myself), dare I say it feels like we’re in what’s known as Indian Summer around these parts. With just a mere 6 days until the official arrival of autumn, the temps have moderated and to those of you who think I complain focus too much on the extreme high and low ends of the thermometer, am happy to provide a Goldilocks approach this week and say things have been just right. Warm days and cool nights. And not having to run the AC all day long makes for good sinus health. A real win-win.

A recent walk to Sloan’s Lake rewarded me with a few interesting pics. The morning threatened to shower, but only managed to provide some great clouds and reflections over the lake. This is a slightly different view that I normally share-near the park bathrooms and maintenance building and where the Dragon Boat races bivouac. The ducks take advantage of this spot frequently.

Sloan's Lake

One thing I noticed as I meandered around the lake is one area in particular is closed off so the grass can be restored. Notice the winged “Gen Z’ers” that once again demonstrate the rules don’t seem to apply to them just liked their human counterparts.

Sloan's Lake

One thing we’ve noticed walking around gardens of the ‘Hood are the ripening squash and pumpkins. Just in time for that favorite season of many consumers, ‘pumpkin spice’ fill-in-the-blank.

Pumpkin

Pollinators are quite busy doing their thing in anticipation of the end of the summer season. This is a community garden I often walk past and it’s chock-full of fresh produce.

Bees in the garden

Sunflowers are blooming and spreading happiness before the first frost. I’m particularly mesmerized by these bronze varieties along the ubiquitous tiny strip between street and sidewalk. The perfect autumnal colors, wouldn’t you say?

Flowers

Outdoor decor is reflecting the upcoming season as well. Porches are beginning to display buckets of pumpkins and gourds as well as another autumn favorite, that member of the aster family known as Chrysanthemums.

Pumpkins

Flowers

It’s going to be another lovely weekend and Norman and I will be doing some pet therapy events and hopefully all three of us will get a chance to see some more of the fabulous offerings of Indian Summer. Anything special scheduled for your weekend? Whatever you do, we hope you are able to get out and enjoy this special time of year where the light is magic and golden.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

58 thoughts on “Nature Friday ~ September 16, 2022

  1. We are hoping for some Indian Summer here! It’s been quite cool and rainy lately. We need the rain, but I could do with it being a bit warmer.
    Our pumpkin crop has outdone itself this year! The plants got so huge we’ve had trouble finding all the pumpkins and some are still green. But we’ve already picked a few and the rest should be ready when needed!

    1. It seems to have been a banner year for melons and pumpkins here too. Still warm here(today near 90) but rain and a 30 degree drop in temp for tomorrow. Can’t wait!

  2. Wee ADOOR Autumm with kewler tempss an all THE beeuteefull colorss an Punkinss an Sunflowerss…so furry lovelee Miss Monika!
    BellaSita laffed at THE Geese who were walkin where they guud not bee…..silly ‘goose’ Geese! 😉
    ***purrss*** BellaDharma an {{hugss}} BellaSita Mum

  3. Lulu: “We see geese when we go to one of our parks here and they seem to pretty much do whatever they want, whenever they want.”
    Java Bean: “I’m not going to argue with them. They’re scary!”

  4. We can’t stand the Canadian Geese. Mom always tells them to go back to Canada. They are pretty, but they are so very mean and they poop up everything in their area! Beautiful flower you have a photo of there. We are ready for fall and winter. Enough already with the heat.

    1. Thank you-0I’m a big fan of the bronze and mahogany colored sunflowers. You’re so right about those Canadian Geese. Nasty creatures who foul up the scenery everywhere they go. We’re loving the 50ºF’s in the mornings-such a relief after a relentless hot summer season.

    1. Thanks-considering they were in stacked a cardboard box, that’s very high praise and kind of you. Thanks, Helen! Thank goodness for cropping and focusing on what makes an ordinary photo more compelling.

  5. A lovely time of year. That horrible heatwave we had is over and the cooler temperatures are here. A welcome sight. I went grocery shopping a few days ago and there were fall pumpkins and gourds to be purchased. Lovely time of year.

    Have a fabulous weekend. Scritches to the pups, a smooch to Norman and a big hug to you. ♥

    1. IMHO it’s the best time of year. And the light! There’s nothing quite like it. Have a great weekend enjoying it, Sandee.

  6. We aren’t seeing many signs of Fall other than a few of the trees showing a bit of color. We’re READY though! Firewood to be delivered in next couple of weeks AND switching to Fall quilts and a few house decorations. I’m betting though that we see more HOT weather here – Mother Nature teases us EVERY YEAR like that!!

    Hugs, Pam and Teddy too

    1. It can’t come soon enough for us! Although we’ll have a few hot days as well but the cool nights are just wonderful. After this summer though, I say bring it on!

  7. Yay for Fall, give a cheer. 🙂
    Lovely Lake and Sunflower photo. Of course I love the pumpkins 🎃 too. I decorated my porch for Fall and inside as well. My daughter loves decorating. Happy weekend!!

    1. Thanks for that nice comment. I thought that pile of pumpkins/gourds shot was kinda cool. The colors really spoke to me.

  8. Fall is in the air, Monika. It was 55 F this AM and that’s as cool as it has been since the spring. I have been pretty proud for not indulging in any pumpkin-spice anything just yet. Needs to get a little cooler before I go down that road, but that is a path I will eventually take. Our geese and ducks nearby continue to share tee times with the golfers, while the squirrels are starting to “panic” they won’t get all their nuts in time. I like the different view of Sloan’s Lake – I recall that Dragon Boat racing. It looks like a nice place to chill. Have a great weekend!

    1. It sure is, and I’m even seeing some color in the leaves on a few trees. I used to enjoy PSL but with everyone making the scent in candles, bath products etc. I just kind of abandoned it. But a nice hot dirty chai latte makes my mornings rock. Have a great weekend-I’m hoping to visit Sloan’s Lake again soon. It’s a very rejuvenating place to visit with an amazing skyline of downtown as well as slices of Mother Nature’s finest urban views.

  9. Yes, the weather is so much friendlier this time of year, except, of course, for those in the hurricane areas. Absolutely love that sunflower…never saw one that color before! Happy therapizing to you and Norman.

    1. Thanks, Amy. Yes, this is the kinder, gentler season (for the most part). Our therapizing was actually an awards get-together and was surprised Norman received an award the number of his visits this past year. It was a bit chaotic with so many dogs with their handlers but great fun. Norman has been snoozing since we got home. 🙂 Have a great weekend; we’ll do a post about the award get-together soon.

  10. We had a low in the mid 40s last night. The high today will hit 71. Yeowza! My energy came home from the tiki bar where it was vacationing. For me the fill in is pie! Pumpkin pie! Or maybe bread. Anything else is sacrilegious.

    1. I agree with that perspective on pumpkin spice. It belongs in pies and/or bread, not candles, body lotion, cereal and all the other things it’s put in these days. Those temps…yes please!

    1. We’ll have so swarm days before it’s all said and done but it remains my favorite season of the year.

  11. I love the early fall as well, like you say, warm days, (not hot), and cool comfortable nights.

    Lovely pics of the produce and blooms around your area.
    A squirrel just destroyed the last of my beautiful volunteer sunflowers. Phooey! We’ll have to wait for next year to see more of them…something to look forward to in the cold dismal days of our long winter.

    Have a fun weekend!

    1. And people wonder why I have such harsh feelings about squirrels. Rotten little buggars! I’d be happy to send some seeds if you like-just let me know.

      1. The ones I had this year were all ‘planted’ by birds. I have lots every year, but its a big battle to keep the tree rats away. Even some smaller ones in large patio pots get stolen…even though the pups have free range in the whole yard.

  12. My favourite season is upon us! Right now my windows are open as I haul all my sh*t from the main floor to the basement in preparation for Monday’s demolition start… It is so wonderful to be able to do so and not bring in the humidity that sneaks its way in until you realise… waitaminute… it ain’t so refreshing no mo’!

    Happy Friday to you!

    1. It’s mine too and one I hope to be able to enjoy a few times in the mountains. Here’s wishing you as easy a demo/rehab as possible and the weather cooperates. Enjoy the weekend though I suspect you’ll be up to your eyeballs in work on the house. i.e. moving. Good luck!

      1. I know it is. And you know, the fact that I quit my job (though now need to find another) has given me a little bit of peace. I can focus on what needs to be done. I am so very lucky that my friend is away until October 11th, and has left me her house (and the care of her cats!)
        I’ll take that luck and try not to hyperventilate as all the deets come together!

            1. {Snicker} Sorry, you’re too right. But I know you’ve got the emotional rollercoaster part as well.

              1. Snicker away while I gasp for breath 😉 I am at that point of freaking out. Once it has started, so be it and go with the flow but my goodness…. what was I thinking?

                1. No buyer’s remorse now, lady! You’ll be fine. Just keep thinking about that fabulous kitchen-it’ll help. 😉

                  1. Oh, don’t I know it. Still… what the hell was I thinking? I could have kept it to the kitchen/living room.. but nooooo… it was a “while I’m at it” kinda thing. And yes. Oh my gosh! I cannot wait for my kitchen!

                    1. 😍 Might as well make the most of the down time. I think it’s a smart strategy.

    1. I’ll just bet you’d love to be among the ducks!-they might not be so keen but we’d happily let you be among the Canadian Geese if you’d like.

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