Autumn is here

[autumnamber]

Yesterday Doug and I went to visit his folks, and we rode the motorcycle to do so.  We decided to take the long way back home....the very long way back home through a small village and along a country river road.  It was a cool, overcast morning but several maple trees were already shining in their brightest fire-orange leaves.  I've also noticed that being on the bike I can smell the air (which is near to impossible riding in a car), and the scent was definitely announcing the beginning of fall days.

Now, today, the sun is shining and it is much warmer, but it is a fall day warmness, not the heat of mid-summer.  Angel and I went walking along the river, and noticed changing leaves and even  a few fallen ones.  When we arrived back home I saw that the ginkgo  tree across the street  has changed  and its leaves are now a  beautifully mellow golden yellow color.

The chipmunks seem to be scurrying more intensely, and the squirrels have discovered that our patio chairs' cushions have wonderfully fluffy stuffing that will line their nests for the colder days (and nights) ahead of us all.  And is it my imagination or are the hummingbirds darting more quickly than in the midst of summer days?

Autumn is here and I find myself looking forward to watching the season unfold.