Winter Nears

 

The red squirrels have a number of piles of pine cones built for the winter.  There has been some gathering of the geese on the lake, but nothing like the giant gathering before they leave for the South, and the leaves are down.  Sure looks like winter, and on days like today, it sure feels around the corner.

As I write, it is snowing a bit more than an hour to the North, and tonight the local flakes might gather briefly.  The stiff winds have been of some help.  Yesterday the leaves were blowing themselves into the woods, eliminating the mulching with the tractor.   The birches are totally bare.  The tamaracks found a few miles away had needles last week, and they still might.  Will check tomorrow.  Plans are to get some planted here so we can extend the colored season as they turn after the rest.

Swimming Ends

 

As with the squirrels gathering their nuts, so the swimming season has come to an end in Mud Lake.  The water never did warm as is normal this year, now it has chilled.  The docks are coming in and craft have been put away.  The water lilies are slowing dying and then sinking to the bottom.

Of all things, some snow was mixed with rain yesterday.

Squirrels Planning Bad Winter

 

The yard has now picked up several piles of pine cones gathered by red squirrels.  Is Mud Lake like Camelot and the pine cones fall in neat piles?  We checked this out with a DNR/park agent at Itasca State Park.   Red squirrels like to gather pine cones in piles.  At first we suspected a neighbor was trying to play a joke on us as these a;appeared,. but no.  The squirrels do this.  We do not know if size and number indicates degree of cold expected, or just good pickings in pine cones, but these are big and located near trees that will more clearly mark them.

 

Fall Ahead

The signs of fall are clear.  Being Post-Labor Day weekend is one, but the trees have lost their summer tone, the geese are in v-formations, and the temperatures just have that fall cool to them.  The odd tree has a full turn of color, and some may just be dry or ill.  The larger groupings of geese are not around yet, but the groups in v-formation are getting bigger.  They remain in the dozen or so range.  The wind and coolness are heavy with hints of fall.

Of note is the rareness of the loons.  They have been around making their calls all summer, including a 3 in the morning, but now seem silent.

Fall Watch

Last night more geese appeared in that v-formation of fall.  They were in multiple groups, so not leaving today, but it is ominous.  Odd trees have that fall look, but the big sign is that as you watch the woods you can spot leaves falling in just small time spans.

Them Loons, Now Them Geese

 

The loons continue to have a daily life marked by their calls, but the fall goose migration has begun with its mass honking.  For the last two weeks geese have been arriving in their V formations and done their honking festivals to attract their kind.  This is a sign of the coming migration.  But that migration is hopefully months away.  It is too early.

On the other hand, the fall turning of the leaves has begun.  While tiny spots of yellow or purple can be found, the mass fading of areas to a light yellowish-green are all over.  This is early, too.  By Labor Day some full yellow spots can be found in most years, but it sure looks ahead of time.

Turtles on the Move

 

The turtles of Mud Lake have been in egg laying mode.  Here several sun themselves after getting back in the lake.