Signs Of Autumn

14 years ago

Since we're deep enough into the autumn gloom type weather that we're clearly seeing signs of autumn in our landscapes and the surrounding countryside, I thought I'd start this thread.

So, the question is.....what signs of autumn are you seeing where you live?

In our area, they are these: The blooms of the goldenrod, prairie blazing star (liatris) and autumn sage are winding down. The native fall asters still look pretty good, but I think the snow-on-the-prairie has peaked.

The hummers are migrating and the purple martins are long gone. Other types of birds are flocking. I've heard geese or ducks migrating on a couple of the cold fronts that have come through, although it seems early for that.

The leaves of the native elms and persimmons are turning yellow (elms) and golden-yellow (almost orangey) in the case of the persimmons.

The foliage of the poison ivy is turning a brilliant red.

The four o-clocks are blooming madly (they've bloomed all summer, but are covered in tons more blooms now) and setting seed.

The native warm-season grasses are setting seedheads. I do love the seedheads of some of them....like the purple sand love grass (which, ironically, grows in our heavy clay as well as in sand) and the brushy bluestem that grows in our swamp.

The maximilian sunflowers are in their full glory and starting to decline.

Deer stands are sprouting in open fields near wooded areas, and people in camo clothing are driving up and down our road looking for deer. (I don't want to speculate on what they'll do if they see one since hunting from the road is illegal, and almost none of us on our road allow hunting on our land.)

The pecan tree limbs are heavy with pecans and are blending down low. (Which, inexplicably, makes me think of the song "Do Your Ears Hang Low....." LOL).

Seeds of warm-season flowers that self-seed here like zinnias or tall verbena or hummingbird sage, and even tomatoes, have sprouted in the garden and we have lots of little baby plants. Lots of unwanted baby morning glory plants too.

Fluffy the Maine Coon Cat is getting his winter hair, so he's fluffier and fluffier by the day.

OK, those are my signs of fall.....oh, and the J. C. Penney store in Lewisville has its Christmas decorations up in the store (what, oh what, is the rush?), and CostCo has Christmas merchandise galore. I'm still in a fall mood, and not a Christmas one though.

It is sweatshirt weather here in Love County. I've started out in short sleeved tees the last two days, but have had to pull on a sweatshirt over them. We've been in the 50s for two straight days and I am longing for the 80s, or even the 70s.

So, what signs of fall are y'all seeing?

Dawn

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Comments (5)

Melissa
14 years ago
Wow!! What a story!! You sound like you need to be on a nature show or something. I really enjoyed reading what all signs of fall you have in your area. Mine is kinda skimpy compared!
My new little burning bush has started turning red.
As my kids and I went out today, it was definitely cool enough for a jacket. I started out in capri's but ended up in jeans and a long sleeve shirt!!
The trees around here have started turning the brilliant orange and red. I just love the fall colors. They are so homey.
I am definitely getting into the soup mode. I am cold natured and so when it starts getting cooler my mind drifts toward soup!!
My in-laws have started seeing the deer out more around their house. We are going there this weekend to roast weinies over a big pit that my father-in-law built. I'm thinking that I need to take big marshmallows!!
Anyway, happy fall to all and many blessings!!
mulberryknob
14 years ago
The goldenrod and asters are in full bloom here and the sumac and dogwood leaves are starting to turn red.

The late cucs I planted are starting to look ratty and they never even bore although they are blooming.

And in the open places in the woods where we usually weedeat but didn't this year because there are still limbs from the ice storm the mistflower, both white and lavendar is blooming and is so sweetly fragrant.
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gldno1
14 years ago
Here the leaves are beginning to fall. The two oak trees are just beginning to get a tinge of color on the leaves; the two dogwoods are turning burgundy.

The red maple hasn't changed yet.

The hummers are gone.

It is definitely jacket weather when I go out to milk the cow around 7-7:30. Today was long-sleeve shirt weather all day.

The blue grass in the lawn is growing way faster than the rest of the grasses....will need mowing soon again.

We have had a wood fire the last two days; just a couple of sticks all day, but it feels good.

I can smell wood smoke outside...that always says fall to me.

We repaired fence Saturday with sweatshirts on in the sun...felt good.

The Johnson Grass in the ditches has turned purple.

The geese are keeping pretty low profile here. I just saw three last week.

The opossums are on the move; their numbers are being decimated from what I am seeing on the country roads.

That's all I can think of on my neck of the woods in sw Missouri, Zone 6. They are talking a freeze next week or by the weekend!
OklaMoni
14 years ago
I see some of most of the ones from above. But the part I don't like about Autumn, is the cooler temps. Arthur comes along and bothers me when it is this cool.

Moni
p_mac
14 years ago
ahhhh....Autumn is in the air!

From here, 3 miles north of Lake Thunderbird (NE Norman) all the sumac has turned a bright red to burgundy. The persimmons are also red. With all the damp, drizzly days we've had...lots of people here along Franklin Road have been burning brush piles the last couple of days so although I don't have a fireplace anymore...I can still smell the wonderful aroma of wood burning. The redbuds that are thick on our property have started dropping their leaves...so I can see more of the road in front and to the west. (I don't really like that so much.) All the hickory trees over at the In-laws are brown too....but so far, haven't heard the familiar ping of the nuts dropping on Pop's garage metal roof. Maybe the squirrels are getting them first?!

And about the wildlife - this morning over the FAA I watched 5 or 6 geese flying Northwest. What's up with that? I wondered if they were just following the flight pattern of Will Roger's runways. They were HONKIN'!!! The deer coats are all turning gray and they're beginning to "herd" as DH calls it. Tonite laughed at The Twins we've been watching all summer. The Fiesty One decided to check out my jalepenos...and he didn't like what he smelled! Yes, we've already taken down the deer netting for the year. That also means that the deer have been feasting on my fall crop of green beans...but I can't deny them. They're tasty! As I watched the tails of The Twins & Momma trail off, I noticed one last lone straggler of a hummingbird at the feeder on the pecan tree out front. Made me feel better I'd filled the feeder and left it out. The migrators need food too!

And Moni - Arthur decided he had to visit me too this past weekend. Guess that's what I get for thinking I'm still young enough to dig 6 large holes for the new blueberry bushes! But hey....they're gonna be worth it! We've got to get thru this season so we can get to next spring & next years garden!

Paula

Signs Of Autumn

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Melissa

mulberryknob

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