Happy Equinox to You

as we cross the threshold of a new season

we have glimpses of summer and autumn both

 change and mysteries tend to be tangible at this time

the spots on fawns

are fading

I found a moth's cocoon

will it survive being buried under snow all winter

a mix of leaves cuddle on the pond

sunsets 

after rain

offer their own special drama

here and there 

a mushroom can be found

Happy New Season to you!

~

Do you have a favorite image from above?

~

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Tiny Puffballs

few flowers grace our world

as we enter the fungi season

(so glad there is always something to enjoy)

these are tiny fruiting puffballs

found at the base of my mountain ash tree

photographed on a smoky day

giving them an even richer color

I find each one to be a work of art

a small treasure to behold

Then one morning 

I woke to find a squirrel had eaten them all!

That is the task to enjoy the mushrooms before someone eats them. 

Most puffballs are edible for us and the deer and the squirrels

and

who knows who else. 

~

*

Owl Visit

The sound of squirrels warning the forest of danger. 

I looked up to see a Great Gray Owl glide over the pond to land on a stump. 

Sitting, looking around then hopped to the ground. 

Ripples danced through the ponds surface as the owl took a morning bath in shallow water. 

Then hopped back up on the stump, shaking this way and that. 

Lifting into the air, silently landing on a limb. 

Watch the video as it shakes and dries from it's bath. Then breaks a branch that is in it's way. In the smoky morning air (see golden smoky light on it's back).

  I got to sit and watch for 45 min. As this owl was in no rush to leave. 

it knew I was there

but 

did not seem to care

flying further away

down to the earth near a creek

for a drink

~

It is super smoky these days

so many wildfires

the owl was a wonderful experience 

among our hard to breath days

 a glimpse:

and

I am hearing that the fires will not be out

until

the snow falls

~

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