Submitted by Nathan Bolls

Observations around Bayer Pond, Friday, Nov. 6, from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. Temperatures in the 50’s, slight SW breeze, few patchy elongated clouds. Pond level is 16 inches below weir; pond needs a bath. Chewed out by fox squirrel on approach to Dam Gazebo; see another feeding beneath deer feeder, that is until much larger one hops inform woods. Two to three butterfly types flittering about; one could be a couple of yellow sulphurs. Some grasshoppers are still out, as are two or three bee species, including one big bumblebee. Great horned owl calls every few minutes from woods NW of dam. Overwintering robins all about and looking more pump than during childrearing time; sound familiar?

I move to the West Gazebo and notice disturbing cricket, leopard frogs and bullfrogs along the way. Many deer tracks on every trail as well as raccoon tracks along waters edge. Many fresh water mussel shells along shore; raccoons probably overweight. Owl is still there. About 3 p.m. the big grass carp begin feeding and playing near surface of pond’s western edge. Three to four yellow-shafted flickers move through woods. Numerous bird nests revealed in bare trees along with several shrubs and trees bear fruits, but birds, rodents, raccoons and opossums will find most of them–owl still calling—sumac heads beautiful are beneath deer feeder. Very busy with feeding cardinals, plus both dark-eyed juncos and American tree sparrows down from the north. Meanwhile, the life force of each perennial plant, to the necessary extent evolved by its species, is receding into its heart cradled in the nurturing soil of Mother Earth. Owl still calling–just another November day on the North Forty.