October 17, 2026

Happy Birthday, Diane Berry. 

 

This was taken 9 years ago, it's amazing I remember taking it.  I was so mesmerized by this size and perfection of this web that  was made over night in the hibiscus tree.  I think I left it there for a day or two.  

There were a lot of birds at the rookery today.  There were a lot of soaring birds all over the county.  I saw a pair of eagles before I headed up the mountain.  There were red tailed and several vultures.  I saw a small hawk at the rookery.  There were plenty of geese, a pair of Black ducks, some wood ducks, and this kingfisher.

Peak is phasing out now, the oranges and yellows are beginning to tumble off the trees in the wind, masquerading as birds.  The reeds are beige and the grass is beginning to change, too.  Last week the pastures were filled with purple aster, now only a few stood near dark wine red leaves on bushes.  We'll now slide into the colors of November.  

Di and I had dinner together.  I have to say that dining with someone else is so much more pleasant than dining alone.  I remember at Marlboro that last 20 minutes before dinner would be served and there was always this tension between just staying in my room and going down to the Dining Hall and face the crowd.  The crowd always won, and I really was a sucker for them.  Mealtime was actually regenerative, it would give me the boost to go back and do some work before bed.  

I think that time of day has always been my most fruitful, I'm clearest the first few hours after dinner; I'm foggiest the first couple hours after lunch.  The rhythms of my body, by LW.  I'm going to have to set up a routine that gets me to write during my evening best time.

Again, no 4 legged creatures today, and no turkeys.  Do you think they know hunting season is approaching?