One day I was vacuuming the lower level when something outside the French doors drew my attention. A Ruffed Grouse, perched on top of the cage protecting the Honeycrisp apple tree. A closer look revealed five Grouse, stalking unseen insects and other delectables. Surprisingly, I was able to open the door and snap some shots. According to Audubon, Ruffed Grouse are "our most widespread and familiar grouse, found in woodlands from Alaska to Georgia. Feeds mostly on plant material."
Speaking of the Honeycrisp, it produced apples this summer, the first time in the five years it has been in the garden. My July 5, 2018 post tells the story of our two apple trees; the Goodland is necessary to pollinate the Honeycrisp, and yet the Goodland did not deliver any fruit this year. (Head Chef made a pie from Goodland apples in 2018, as documented in this September 29, 2018 post. It also produced in 2019.)
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The lake below our property glistens with a Zamboni surface that deceptively calls for Charlie Brown and his buddies to skate figure eights to the Vince Guaraldi tune. (The ice might hold Woodstock but not much more.) Hard to believe that four weeks ago we were planting seeds at the two entrances to our neighborhood.
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The moon was spectacular in October; I wish my talent for capturing it could measure up!
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By mid-October, Jack Frost added his diamonds to the palette. And the Sun would come along and rub it out like a giant eraser in the sky.
Later the same day as this photo, we boarded the first of several planes that would take us to the UK. As the sun set beyond the wing, we bade farewell to home and to Autumn.
