Flash! Kaboom! That's what I saw/heard this morning at 4:15am. It's the final day of September and I was awakened by a thunderstorm. It flashed, boomed and rained for more than an hour. I didn't get much sleep after that.

I just came in from a tour around the yard. All was quiet with vehicular traffic so I could hear the waterfowl on the lake. The chickadees called from the evergreen boughs. The water droplets dripped from the willow leaves. 

The rain enhanced the autumn colors. The droplets left on the flowers magnified their textures. There hasn't been a good rain for a while and I sure didn't mind the fresh smell and the quietness of a rainy morning when the only sounds I could hear are birds calling and water droplets falling.

Where did September go? The month has been a blur. I've got almost all of the perennials cut down. I left a couple of them standing just so the last few hardy bees had something to feed on. Most of the petals on the beebalm have fallen but there are enough remaining to keep the bees happy.

The leaves on the forest trees turned color weeks ago but the shrubs in the yard are just beginning to change. There is a pallet of autumn hues in the backyard. 

The cherry leaves are beginning to turn shades of pink and orange. The colorful 'Kermit the frog green' ninebark has tinges of orange and red coming out on the leaves. The burning bush is a brilliant red. The larch is beginning to turn yellow.

I love fall. It's the time of year that reminds us to slow down. Take a walk in the woods. Marvel at Mother Nature's colorful landscape. Listen to the flocks of birds overhead. 

Soon winter will be upon us with a blanket of white so I encourage you to take in the sights, sounds and smells of autumn before they are gone for another year.

The flowers were covered with frosty crystals this morning. Last night was a cold one. I noticed that the birds were busier than usual at the feeder so decided to take the camera outside. As I approached the sunflowers that the birds seeded this summer, a downy woodpecker landed on a flower head and began plucking the tender seeds. It didn't appear to mind me standing a few feet away.

Mama and her babe were quietly nibbling the tender branches to the side of the trail. A third moose came running through the trees on the opposite side of the trail. It came out in the open, saw humans and did a 360 back into the forest. Exciting day on the trail.

I could see him in the distance; the dark brown coat against the bright yellow autumn backdrop. I slowed to find the perfect opening between the trees to capture a photo of my favorite 'neighborhood' moose. As I drove by, there were not one but two of them enjoying the morning sun.

There were a couple of foggy mornings last week. As the sun rose, I could see the moisture in the air. Droplets coated the backyard spider webs. The sun's rays made them sparkle like diamonds. It wasn't until then that I realized how many webs were created in the yard.

If you are looking for a short day trip to take in the beautiful autumn colors, why not visit the Beaverhills Biodiversity Trail? It is a peaceful, scenic little hike that is about 2.5kms long. I've made it twice that by doubling back and ending where I began.

There are a number of perfectly placed benches just waiting for someone to rest and take in the forest or pond sights and sounds. At the parking lot, there are picnic tables so be sure to bring some snacks along.
The one thing missing is an outhouse so be sure to stop at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre on the way. There's one at the end of the driveway, just inside the property line, to the west.

The colors on the Biodiversity trail are amazing. The ducks and geese are gathering on the ponds. The forest birds are active.

If you don't have much time and want to enjoy some fresh air, this is the trail for you. Turn off your phone. Turn on your camera. This is the place to 'get lost' for an hour or more. If you enjoy this trail and still have time left over, don't forget about the trails at the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation Area or the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. They are only minutes away.

http://www.strathcona.ca/departments/recreation-parks-and-culture/recreation-centres/strathcona-wilderness-centre/ 

http://www.strathcona.ca/departments/communications/news/2016/9/9/new-interpretive-trail-biodiversity-experience/ 

The frosty nights have accelerated the color change from summer to autumn. The brilliant yellows on the aspens and the orange/red of the rose and berry bushes are decorating the roadsides on my way to work each day.

A couple mornings ago I watched the sun rise in my rear view mirror. It was so amazing that I had to pull over and capture the colors of the morning. As I continued my trek to town, that morning light enhanced the warm autumn colors and provided some fantastic scenery. Beauty.

 

As I worked in the yard today I could hear the cranes overhead. There have been many flocks gathering over the last couple of days.

The Canada Geese are gathering as well. I've seen them feeding in harvested grain fields and swimming in the ponds along the roadside.

The bees and the grasshoppers were busy in my flowers. The ladybugs were disturbed when I cut down the ornamental grasses. The backyard squirrel was busy gathering mushrooms and spruce cones. It found the perfect storage spot; the abandoned birdhouse.

Mother Nature's creatures large and small are preparing for winter. I wonder if I should be as well.

It's been a few months since my last visit to the Amisk Wuche trail. I was there early this morning. The morning rays of the sun cast long shadows across the trail. They light backlit the brilliant yellow leaves that formed a canopy over the trail. Chickadees were feeding on seeds. Cranes called from overhead. Squirrels ran up and down tree trunks with their mouths full of mushrooms. I could see, hear and smell autumn this morning. What a great outing.

Autumn is beginning to show its colors at Elk Island National Park. The view from the dock where earlier in the summer I watched an abundance of waterfowl, is turning into a pallet of reds, yellows and oranges. I love fall; not as much as winter but it is close.

I started a staining project bright and early today so that most of it would be done by the time the sun came around to the front of the house.

I got all the required brushes, rags, etc ready and was just about to begin when I glanced down at the front path. There was a tiger salamander marching up to the welcome mat. It tried to get underneath but I moved the mat. I didn't want to forget that the little guy was underneath it and step down accidentally.

This has been the fifth salamander that I've seen in about two weeks. The little guys are on the move. Luckily none have fallen into the window wells. I'm on 'window well patrol' to rescue any that happen to fall in.

I can't tell the difference between all the species of hawks but I can tell you that I love watching them. Today, there were 5 of them perched on fence posts on the way to Elk Island National Park. Two of them stuck around although one flew to a high branch in a spruce tree.

The Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail was officially opened today. I hiked it on Tuesday and spent a peaceful 2 hours in the forest.

The trails were littered with fallen leaves. The purple asters and bright red rose hips added pops of color. Mushrooms grew from the earthy forest floor. 

The pond surfaces were covered with duck weed and ducks. As I approached, they took flight. I was silent so it was not something that I said.

I took advantage of all the benches placed along the trail. The wind rustled the leaves in the treetops. The waterfowl called from the ponds. As I sat on the bench beneath the towering spruce, I could smell the sap seeping from the rough bark. 

A moose hiked the trail before me. Its hoof prints were embedded in the soft soil. I could see where it foraged for food. 

This trail has become a favorite. The sights, sounds and peacefulness of the forest are addictive. I'm really 'lichen' the forest experiences on this trail.

http://www.strathcona.ca/departments/communications/news/2016/9/9/new-interpretive-trail-biodiversity-experience/

As I hiked the trails yesterday I came upon an area where there was lots of bird action. I stopped to see what the ruckus was all about. Robins, waxwings and sparrows were feeding on the abundant berry crop. The pin cherry and saskatoon trees were being picked clean. I didn't know which direction to look in. The birds were everywhere! What fun it was to watch as they plucked the plump berries from the branches.