AstroGypsies

The last few explored the fading flowers, even where the flowers had been! Looking, poking, searching for the last bit of flower nectar out there. They always give me so much joy. I’m going to miss them! It was a never ending comedy:)

There a few honking geese, the Loons are wailing, it’s time to wait to see if our swan pair return! I check every morning:) The road seems so quiet. It’s only when you stop, wait, things appear, wings here, a rustle there…always worth slowing down for! The reptiles are all looking for sun, I know how they feel:)

I had to remove a feisty Northern Water snake off the road to get past! Looks like it just had a good meal! I picked it up with a long stick and set it off to the side! It refused to budge, my road it proclaimed. I came across the smallest garter snake I had ever seen, wasn’t actually sure what it was as it’s markings were vertical, not horizontal. This one was hissing and spitting and said it would eat me alive if I came any closer…I was 6′ away! It wasn’t much bigger than the acorn behind it! a wee 4-5″ long! I read that the warmer the temperature of a garter snake, the more likely the snake is to flee a predator; a snake with a cooler body temperature is more likely to remain stationary or attack. Male garter snakes are also more likely to flee…Ha! The decision of a juvenile garter snake to attack a predator can be affected by whether the snake has just eaten or not. Snakes that have just eaten are more likely to strike a predator or stimulus than snakes that do not have a full stomach. Snakes that have just eaten a large animal are less mobile…I’m TOO full! Ha! Go away! it was saying!

It’s disheartening to see the swamp drying out, so much life there! My rain dances for a week or two of rain are not working! I’ll keep at it! The beavers have made paths but it must be hard on them, the frogs, water snakes, everyone and thing that lives or feeds off what lives there.

I have seen the mother Wood duck and her remaining juveniles, five of them in the two swamps at different times. Occasionally she has a few mallard juveniles with her as well!

The Nodding Beggarticks are starting to fade, the bumblebees were enjoying them to no end! I love seeing the tricoloured Bumblebees, my favourites! That rusty band is beautiful! I was surprised by the number of dragonflies still out and about and in the process of making a few more! Ha!

I nearly stepped on Common Green Darner in the leaves and it fluttered off! They are so large! The White-faced Meadowhawks and Spotted Spreadwings were busy! I thought it was a bit late for that kind of reproductive business but I guess not!

Flowers are few and far between, all busy with bees and wasps. Not a grape to be seen and very few berries but they are there. I wonder what that will mean for Winter food for the birds here.

I’m enjoying watching the caterpillars, some I had no idea what they were! I love iNaturalist to try to figure them out, and insect experts on the Ontario Facebook page! So many helpful knowledgeable people!

Love to see what these guys all turn into! So much life, you only have to slow down and watch for it:)

Fall brings the mists to the lake. Warm lake water, cool air, our first frost warning last night, it was 3° this morning but no frost! I love to watch the progression from sometimes a colourless dawn, and I wait to see what happens….

and then the last blast! Such beauty and wonder. I shouldn’t feel melancholic this time of year with all this beauty but I do…saying goodbye to so many things…

I’ll leave it here with our last rain and rainbow. I have birds and sunflower fields and other delightful sights to share. I am going to rejoice in the beauty around me, the good human souls that cross our paths and of course the Mewberries! Everyone needs a purring 23 lb. cat sitting on their chest at 5 a.m. Ha! Saludos amigos!