Early Autumn In The Air

This morning Atlantans were greeted with temperatures in the 50s, a big hint that  fall is on its way. Other signs fill our small world on a ridge in the Piedmont woods southeast of Atlanta. The evenings cool comparatively quickly and the humidity rises after midnight instead of steaming us as on most summer days. In addition the hummingbirds are more aggressive than usual around the feeders as they prepare to migrate to the Florida coast and the great passage over the Gulf of Mexico to their winter home. In contrast the several pairs of cardinals we know don't thrash among the tropicals around our porch. In part, I suppose they're no longer as territorial now that their broods have fledged. Perhaps the biggest change in the season is its sound. For one the tree frogs are mostly quiet now that summer showers have ended and we're in the midst of the driest eight weeks of the year. In addition we no longer have the sunset symphony of cicadas, katydids, and other insects at our door. In late September they are confined to the deeper woods at the top of the ridge and their sounds drift down to the porch. I'll soon miss that sound but at least our conversations with friends on the porch will no longer be drowned out by the accompaniment.

In another month we'll see full fall color

Today may welcome a taste of early fall but its certainly not the end of high temperatures. In fact we're looking forward to that heat in just one week but the big difference will be humidity.  These warm days already feel more like a measure reserved for the Rockies and the central Continental Divide rather than the rolling Appalachian Piedmont. In other words we'll have stunningly beautiful summer days unless you looked at the calendar. The tulip poplar leaves already show a hint of yellow but they're hanging on for the first windy cool front to bring them down. Looking in our woods today you'd really see nothing but a rich green. Though summer may linger lovingly here in the Lower South we know Autumn brings its own pleasures.

To Autumn

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain'd
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

'The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.

'The spirits of the air live in the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.'
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

William Blake (1757-1827)



And so here's to fall, the color, the refreshment of cool breezes, pumpkins, mulled cider, and the smell of wood smoke. Perhaps it's a quieter time but there is much to be done. Take it at your own pace and enjoy.