While exploring the trail before the walk, I kept hearing the sound of something dropping onto the forest floor. A little investigation indicated that it was a Red Squirrel clearing all of the walnuts from the highest reaches of a large Black Walnut tree. A good system!

Other nature:

Park scenes:

Some botany:

We did not have a large number of bird species but did have many of the same species; what is called a “murder” of crows:

Species list: turkey vulture, hairy woodpecker, blue jay, American crow, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, American robin,  American goldfinch.  (8 species)

This morning’s group:

NATURE POETRY

The beech is dipped in wine; the shower
Is burnished; on the swinging flower
The latest bee doth sit.
The low sun stares through dust of gold.
And o’er the darkened heath and wold
The large ghost-moth doth flit.
In every orchard Autumn stands,
With apples in his golden hands.    – Alexander Smith (1829–67)

Miles Hearn