September 13, 2015

This summer was the longest there can be, if one uses the dates of an early memorial day and a late labor day as the mileposts of summer.  But with labor day come and gone, the activity on the lake has subsided considerably.  This past weekend, even though the fabulous weather continued - at least for Saturday - there was less action on the lake, only a few kayaks and canoes along with the fishermen. 

A calm fall day on Lake Wicwas

We took a slow ride around the lake with a good friend to enjoy the beautiful calm day, and were treated to a few sights:  an osprey

a heron,

and a couple of loons.

Spring may provide the mother-load of wildflowers, often with stunning beauty and short blooming spans such as the Lady Slipper and Trillium, while summer treats us to longer lasting, often large fields of color provided by the likes of Daisies and Black-eyed Susans.  But fall has its own special flavor as late flowers fill in the color void before the trees start to turn.  These range from brilliant fields of goldenrod to tiny white flowers such as the Nodding Ladies' Tresses.

Nodding Ladies' Tresses

A classic fall bloom is the Pearly Everlasting, a dry white flower that lasts a long time.

Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus)

Asters, closely related to daisies, are frequently found in fields this time of year;  these were growing near the lake.

Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus)

Red clover is a summer flower that blooms into the early fall.

As with clover, the wild thistle is a favorite of bumble bees collecting their pollen,

but evidently Lady Bugs appreciate this food source as well.

Sharing a Thistle Blossom

The bumble bee, with its furry coat to keep it warm, will be active into fall well after the other bees have disappeared.

Yes, summer is waning and fall is on its way.  Early signs are evident with the animals, on the plants, in the trees - and on the water.