The goldenrod is yellow,

The corn is turning brown,

The trees in apple orchards,

With fruit are bending down.

- taken from September by Helen Hunt Jackson

Crowns of Goldenrod are showing themselves across the fields and along the creeksides. This is a sure sign of Autumn around my house. On my nature walk just a bit ago I snapped this photo of one with the sun beginning to make its descent in the western sky behind it.

There are other signs of Autumn showing themselves all around. Be sure to take a nature walk this week with your children and make a verbal (written if you want) list of what signs you are observing. Here are a few things we have noticed:

• Fall Wildflowers - such as the Goldenrod and all kinds of Asters
• Lowering Temperatures - temperatures this week will be mostly in the high 60's
• Migrating Flocks of Birds - we are just starting to see them
• Leaves Changing Colors and Falling - leaves are just beginning to change colors and fall off the trees, especially the early sleepers like the Black Walnut
• Insects Diminishing - because of the cooler temperatures we are seeing less and less butterflies and bees
• Clearer Skies - less humidity in the air makes for crystal blue skies; this is a GREAT time for cloud gazing
• Less Daylight Hours
• Squirrels and Chipmunks Gathering and Cracking Nuts
  

What signs are you seeing in your neck of the woods? Or perhaps you are on the other side of the equator and are beginning to enjoy the signs of spring!