I Fell....

 Lots of berries  ready for fall picking!

 I didn't really fall....but I didn't make it out birding last weekend, so you get stuck with me making stuff up. As usual. Not really, I never make anything up...everything here is for real and for true...sorta...in my mind anyway.

So, where was I? Oh, It's autumn. Yep, I always fall for fall...the sound of leaves crunching under foot as you're trying to sneak up on unsuspecting birds, the gorgeous colors(even though I'm color blind, I can still see them, mostly.) And then there's that lovely smell of rotting vegetation! I should reword that...but I won't. You get the picture.

After the slow birding of late summer, we now have all the migrants coming through for brief visits, as I've mentioned earlier. We also have our winter friends coming in to enjoy our mild autumn and the upcoming winter(ick.) White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are popping up now.  Our seasons are so much milder that where they nest in northern Canada, Lake Erie weather is like a visit to the tropics! At least for them.

We also have ducks coming through and hunting season is on for quackers! Trips along the lake front will afford you views of thousands of ducks and Mergansers flying along the shore line. Soon the inland lakes and marshes will be full of Teal, Mallards, Pintails, Wigeons and more.

So, unlike me, get out there and enjoy the foliage, and I don't mean raking leaves! Visit your area parks, pond, creeks and lakes and see what this seasons colors have to offer! I'm looking forward to getting out this weekend...and not falling down!

 Eastern Chipmunks are getting their nests ready for the coming cold weather.

 I took a photo before I stomped all over them to listen to the crunchy cripsy sounds!

(Yes, I said CRIPSY)

The Chipping Sparrows are gone and the American Tree Sparrows, like this one at Pond Brook, will replace them for the season.

Dark-eyed Juncos are being seen all around our area now.

 I love the pattern on the White-crowned Sparrow crown.

 White-throated Sparrows are out and about as well!

 

Still no otter...maybe this weekend?!

Sometimes those White-crowned Sparrows make me nervous...

Until we meet again!