Fall is Here

True evidence of the newest season are these Fall Crocus. Around 6 inches they are a giant next to the typical spring crocus flowers.
My ospreys are gone, hummers are gone, migrant summer nesters long gone and cicadas are quiet. We have been enjoying the fall warblers and I spotted two tiny diving ducks on the causeway today. It has been raining for days and more expected ... but it's still nice and warm. The Fall Crocus knows better though and we can expect cooler weather soon.

Wood Nymph on ivy

The finely detailed wood nymph samples the bloom of an ivy vine.

American Redstart

Spotted this pretty female today, I have yet to see the male. He is black where she is grey.

Storm Troopers

Hurricane Earl was thankfully a minor event. The hummers were in a panicky, fighting mood before today and remain in that frame. I put out two extra feeders on the protected west side before the storm. It's a 'better than tv' show at my kitchen window with plenty of hummers feeding and fighting all day.