EARTH MATTERS
This is the season of colour and light when trees and shrubs are clothed in shades of red yellow and orange before falling to the ground. Hedgerows have an abundance of bountiful berries. These provide food for many of our birds and wildlife. Blackbirds, thrushes, warblers and many mammals such as hedgehogs, squirrels and foxes thrive on blackberries, elderberries, hawthorn haws, and rosehips which are all in season. It’s a good idea to leave out any over-ripe fruits for them at this time.
With crops mostly harvested and new bulbs planted for next spring, nature is prompting mankind to slow down and rest in the knowledge that everything will spring to life again in a few short months. Autumn is a season of transition, a reminder to us of nature’s beauty and the cycle of life for all of us.
We need to cut back wildflower gardens in September/October to prepare for and propagate new growth next spring. Care should be taken, if at all possible, to avoid harming frogs and toads which feed on small invertebrates in meadows and wild places.
Some of us are saddened to see our swallows, swifts and other migratory birds heading off on their long journey south to warmer climates (6,000 miles taking 6 weeks or more to make which is another of nature’s miracles). However, redwings and many other species arrive on our shores from cooler climates in Iceland and Scandinavia. It’s important for us to submit sightings of various birds, butterflies, even frogs to organizations monitoring these and other patterns in nature.
Farmers aim to harvest corn, maize and other crops before first signs of frost, otherwise their hard work is in vain. The harvest moons this year was also, not alone a supermoon, but also a partial lunar eclipse which is a very rare phenomenon.
Your earth friend, Anne.
Additional Reading
- To Autumn – Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness: Poem by John Keats at poetryarchive.org
- Fall, leaves, fall – Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the autumn tree: Poem by Emily Bronte at poetryarchive.org
