9-20-07 Observations

- More seasonal weather at last prevails....cool nights (low-mid 50s), mild or warm days....70s/80s

- We had an inch and a quarter of rain 9-13-07 and though it helped, it is still bone dry here...lakes and ponds almost all are either down considerably or dry altogether.

- Many Maple, Poplar, as well as other species have dropped some of their leaves...the Sourgums are already turned burgundy and many of the Dogwoods and Blackgums have turned as well....a month too soon!

- Seeing deer everywhere...see attached for a good buck that wandered into my yard recently...just before nightfall...at times he was within 15' of my front porch! The buck acted like there was not a threat within miles....and perhaps there wasn't.

- Coyotes serenade nightly, even to the point of waking me the last two nights (windows open). I suspect what I am hearing is mom and dad coyote returning from nocturnal hunts to a den site across the valley behind my cabin..... to the joy of 2-4 pups, who do not mind voicing their elation. The yips and howls are quite intense for 3-4 minutes, then all is again quiet.

- Birds have been more predictable....Mourning Doves all over the feeders as well as under them, the Goldfinches and Nuthatches still daily visitors. I did see a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak recently....that almost went to sleep on one of my feeders... sat there for 10-12 minutes before being startled by a Nuthatch coming for a meal. The Titmice and Chickadees daily visitors, as well.