Autumn is creeping in….

Well, the nights are drawing in and it’s getting darker, earlier, by the day. I’ve noticed a real chill in the air lately, and even the sunsets are beginning to look a little frosty. Hubs and I did the hour long hike to the pub the other night to see if the swifts and house martins were still here. Some were, but they were flying too high for us to get a good look at them.

As we walked home a mist descended which became thicker and thicker, until we couldn’t see our hands in front of our faces. I do love these autumn mists though, they’re a little like snow, as they completely transform the landscape, making everything look magical and mysterious. I’d hate to live in a country that didn’t have changing seasons. To me, each one has it’s own magic, but autumn’s jewel is definitely it’s trees with leaves of red and gold. I do love to walk along crunching my way through mounds of dry brittle leaves! Oh yes, I can’t wait for the mounds!

Talking of house martins, we had a house martin chick come into the rescue last week. We were all horrified as it seemed to have problems flying and had refused to eat for two days. Given that these incredible little birds have to migrate to Africa in a few weeks, it’s vital that their wings are perfect and strong. The outlook was bleak, but I finally managed to get it feeding and am delighted to say that it’s now fit and well and flying beautifully. We’ll take it back to where it was found and release it in a few days. The adult birds tend to migrate first and the youngsters follow on a few weeks later, so this chick will still have other juveniles to migrate with. Excellent timing! And …a smashin result!

The other thing I like about autumn is how the beaches empty out. I love a deserted beach with nothing but the haunting cry of the gulls and the sound of the tide coming in. How selfish am I eh?

All the trees and bushes in the garden are full to overflowing with a wide variety of  berries now. The wood pigeons and collared doves particularly love the rowan berries, and are chomping their way through them at an alarming rate. They need to ease up and save some for winter! Some of our wood pigeons are the size of small turkeys!

And now it’s time to start picking the apples and plums. While the veg crop was dismal this year,  the apple and plum trees are sporting a real bumper crop. The neighbours will be pleased! And …….we’ll get lots of pies and crumbles in return.

Well, I’d better go and pack now, as Hubs, the dogs and I are off to the Lake District for a week, so I’ll catch up with you all when I get back. Rain or not I intend to have a ball!

 

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24 Comments

  1. What a lovely post Dina. The photographs are stunning. And what a good result with the lovely little bird. Well done !
    Hope you had a good trip to the Lakes. Bet it was gorgeous at this time of year. xx

    • Hello you that girl!!!! How lovely to see you here.

      Thanks Keggs, we were all THRILLED to see the house martin go back to the huge skies with the other juveniles.

      The Lakes were superb, I’m always a little sad to leave them. Now I have to wait until April until I go again……xxxxxx

  2. Some beautiful pictures there. I did enjoy looking at the beach photo.
    I’m pleased to hear the house martin made a good recovery.

    • Thanks Dessie, it was astonishing to see the house martin recover, none of us were very hopeful so it was the best possible outcome. xxxxx

  3. I am sad to say we are ahead of you on the Autumn season and others probably, especially the way this year’s weather has progressed where I live.The rowan berries will soon be passed. Fruits and flowers are on their last gasp.

    You’ve taken some interesting pictures here.

    Enjoy the Lake District. Hope it won’t be too wet.

    • You do seem to have ahead of us throughout the year, hopefully winter isn’t kicking in yet though!

      The Lakes were wonderful, but VERY wet this time round. But as long as you have the right clothing it’s not too much of a problem.xxxxx

  4. Lovely pictures…. really atmospheric.. and I love autum too – gets the energy back after summer which can get all turgid and the vegetation so tired and dusty looking…..:)xxx

    • Thanks Arose, I not thought of autumn as refreshing and energising, but now you mention it you’re spot on! Summer does end up all dried out and faded.xxxxxx

  5. A lovely post and photos. Have a fab holiday.

  6. So lovely D. 🙂 Hope you have A BALL at the LD. 😉 I love the autumn for the variegated scenery, although I don’t fancy seeing the mother nature naked 😉 Take care. :)xx

    • Awwww…thanks Vahid. I had a total blast! I’m not looking forward to winter either.

      I hope the teaching is going well and you’re not working yourself to death! You take good care of you.xxxxxxx

      • Thanks dear. Yea, have started teaching since last week. 🙁 Takes time to get used to waking up early in the morning 🙁 Glad you had a good time. Take care :)xxxx

        • Good luck…..you will do your students proud. I think you could even teach me …and I’m a hopeless case….it is a gift to teach and also inspire…go Vahid!!!! xxxxxxx

  7. Ahhhh…..Lovely… ‘Season of Mists and mellow fruitfulness…’ Ring a bell? Keats? Lovely images here…..I love Autumn….Hugs! :)x

  8. Lovely post and photos. I like this time of year with the changing colours and mellow feel to the season.
    Sadly we get few, if any house martins or swallows hereabouts.
    Have a good time in the Lake District. xx

    • Thanks Flighty, yes it’s always wonderful to see the fantastic colours of autumn, more vibrant than summer I think.

      What a shame you miss out on the house martins and swallows, aerial acrobats they are, as agile as bats and a joy to watch. Mind you, you do have your fair share of stunning birds. xxxxx

  9. Oh, dohave a ball. I had a wonderful time reading this, and enjoyed the pictures so much. I too, love the seasons. And we’re having big arguments right now, in my part of the world. A lot of friends want to continue the summer clock for another month and a half. We’re turning the clock back tonight. And I’m quite happy about that. It emphasizes the turning of the season.

    • Thanks Shimon. We have a similar problem here, the farmers want to alter the clocks to have more daylight. I like things the way they are, as you say it emphasizes the turning of a season.
      I’m back now and had an absolute ball. xxxxx

  10. PS Have a wonderful time in the LD and come back refreshed.

  11. Another lovely post! Thanks! and I know what you mean about empty beaches …

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