September 27, 2026: Misty September Morning

Now that we're past the autumnal equinox, shorter days mean sunrise occurs at a more agreeable hour to experience the wonders the dawn of a new day bestows upon us.

Mist rises from Wicwas shortly before 7:00am.

Water evaporating from the warm lake condenses into gently twisting sinuous veins of vapor, and soon, low rays from the rising sun penetrate the gloom, illuminating early foliage in low wetlands where cool air settles over night.

Chemung State Forest.

Dew collects heavily on spider webs, lending a season-appropriate, ghostly feel to the scene.

Hundreds of Bowl-and-doily Spider webs will go unnoticed an hour later when the dew evaporates.

Bowl and Doily Weaver spider webs collect the morning's dew.

An orb-weaver spun a classic haunted-house specimen of a web.

As the day warms and the light brightens, other autumnal gems emerge from the shadows.

Indian Cucumber

Canada Mayflower

Sometimes it's difficult to get myself out of the house before breakfast on a cool fall morning, but I'm always rewarded when I do.

Often these nascent misty mornings ripen into glorious September afternoons, which then draw me onto the water.  Dragonflies catch meals of late summer insects, turtles soak up the last warm rays of summer, and the aquatic foliage turns colors every bit as beautiful as the trees.

Amphibians and reptiles use these warm days to keep their body temperatures high enough to eke out a few more weeks before they search out a safe sanctuary for their long siesta through the coming winter.  Sometimes they seek out human assistance, as did this Milk Snake which tried to take up residence in a warm garage.

Milk Snake.  Photo by MT

I've never seen a milk snake - thanks for sharing!

It seems most loons have left the lake now, but both Pip and mom are still resident, and spending a lot of time fishing. 

Pip and mom provide a good comparison of juvenile and late-season mature plumage.

Pip is taking long dives, sometimes away from mom, but often in the same vicinity, and when mom comes up with a Pip-size meal she waits for Pip to surface to offer it up, which is always accepted.

Mom, waiting for Pip to surface to deliver a plump sunfish. 

Nature's equivalent of door dash.

At this point in the season, much of an adult loon's breeding plumage has faded.  Only a few of the distinctive rectangular white spots are still visible.

Mom is losing her summer finery.

Even when an adult's spots are gone, it won't be confused with a juvenile which can be recognized by the gray and white chevron pattern.

Pip is a fine looking young guy or gal at this point.

I've been noting a lot of interesting fungi this fall, too many to add to this post.  I'll hopefully have space for them next week.  I'll close this entry with a precursor to foliage season.

Lilly pads and Bur-reed in their fall colors.

The experts are forecasting excellent foliage this year so make your plans now - colors will be coming on strong north of the notches this week.