The autumn equinox arrived Friday afternoon at 4:03, but it still feels like summer. The birds and butterflies use environmental cues besides temperature to know when to migrate. Hummingbirds are on their way and are busily feeding and fighting at the feeders. Most of the butterflies from earlier this summer have been replaced by other kinds, such as this Cloudless Sulfur (Phoebis sennae). The Gulf Fritillaries are still around, and I spotted this Common Wood-nymph (Cercyonis pegala) in the meadow.
The deer in the Hollow don’t migrate, although the bucks haven’t been around at feeding. Last year’s male fawns have left the family herd; the mature does chased Buttons off several weeks ago, and I haven’t seen him in the meadow since. Meanwhile, this years’s fawns continue to grow, and the spots on the older ones are fading.
It seems to be a good mast year, and the deer, squirrels, etc. are enjoying the abundance of acorns. The deer especially like the acorns that fall from the white oak near my compost bin; maybe the acorns are easier to find in the little bit of lawn that I mow.
Sometimes I am lucky enough to see deer, turkeys, and other animals on my rambles. Sometimes they watch, and sometimes they run.
It’s been foggy lately on my walks…
French Broad Hollow Ramble 