Transitions

No sudden moves. That’s what has been happening since June 21, the first day of summer. Summer solstice, the day with the most daylight. The day I was longing for since beginning this blog in January while hiking about in the freezing cold temps. And here it is already, Labor Day, the unofficial last day of summer. (I guess the white shoes and slacks get benched to the back of the closet…or else I simply look at them and see “winter white.”) The official last day of summer isn’t until September 22 astronomical speaking, but meteorologically speaking the first day of fall is September 1. All summer we went about our business, enjoying the warmth and long days. Now, I’m noticing what’s been happening all along but I didn’t want to think about it, the daylight is shorter, the morning and evenings are cool and the sun is setting further and further to the south on the horizon, all happened so gradually. As I hike about, revisiting some familiar areas, I’m beginning to notice so many changes; the bright green trees are transforming to yellows and reds, the summer flowers are replaced with mums and sunflowers, animals are busy storing up for the “cold and snowy” winter, at least that’s what the Farmers Almanac is calling for. We’ll see.

I suppose you can hear my tone; disappointment that summer is exiting. I know many folks LOVE fall and all its accoutrements. I do enjoy pulling out the hoodies and cuddling under a cozy blanket on the porch. I enjoy sipping warmed apple cider & spiced chi tea…don’t worry though I am nobody’s competition in the Starbucks line for the pumpkin drinks. I also enjoy stacking bales of hay surrounded by planters of mums creating the illusion that my front porch is a barn destination for 3 months. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, fall has that going for it. I have lots of warm memories of family visits from years past, cousins hanging out playing, the adults sitting around solving world problems, it seemed. But all that said, fall for me is simply heralding in the cold dark days of winter, blah. But as with everything we take the good with the bad.

In the meantime, I will relish these last official days of summer, especially appreciating the lingering warm days. And I will take special note of the sights and sounds of the changing season; a transition from seeking warmth from the sun to finding warmth in time spent with family and friends. I will embrace with joy fresh photography opportunities provided by new hiking destinations and the changing landscape.

Several weeks ago I spoke of the beautiful black squirrels in the Michigan area but didn’t catch a good photo of one that day. Two have been one of several species of animals busy in our Michigan yard preparing for the winter. This fellow didn’t want to stand still long for me to snap a good shot, but here are two. I just really like them.

We currently also have a gray squirrel and a ground red squirrel that duke it out every morning to see who can knock down the most unopened pinecones from the trees. The red squirrel is just about the most skittish creature, only the chipmunks rival him. He never stops long enough for me to catch a shot of him, but when he’s not throwing pinecones at us he may stop to ‘yell’ at Teddy and me from his perch. The gray squirrel though seems to have no fear of us, nearly joining Teddy and me once on the porch before, to his surprised, he noticed we were there. One morning he and I stared it out. He probably stood like this for more than two minutes, not 10 feet away from where I was enjoying my morning coffee.

Our hikes have been simple lately, revisiting some Carmel parks when in Indiana. We’ve made it back up to Michigan and last week explored a wooded township park that is literally walking distance from our home and the next day we revisited the CCC hiking paths at the North Higgins Lake State Park, going further to the east at the top of the bluff than we have before. Hopeful that we get a road trip in before heading home.