Will Kidder

As flags around the lake are lowered to half staff, we turn to Nature to seek balance and stability in troubled times. Nature is here for us now, hand in hand with Autumn, who often chooses to begin the day with a warm loving sunrise. Autumn’s colors rise with the sun, as Kingfisher chatters his approval and Mergansers begin their search for breakfast.

Have you been a caterpillar lately? Sometimes we feel that we are just crawling along, making it through every day. Or worse, tucked deep inside our chrysalis, shut away from all that is beautiful and good. Well, metamorphosis is not limited to caterpillars! Be inspired by Autumn’s fresh, invigorating air! Feel your spirit rise at the sight of vibrant splashes of color among the leaves and the rich crop of cones in the evergreens

Autumn begins. She is just a whisper now, but we see her glowing face in the still waters of the lake. Autumn means that Mother and Father Loon will begin their molt. A few gray feathers are beginning to appear around their beak and chin. Along the shores, bumblebees bob happily in the jewelweed and gorgeous purple and pink asters attract butterflies.

Mother Loon is clearly enjoying her ride. She takes every opportunity to nurture chicks Ping and Pong. Father Loon participates as well, but also spends time on lake patrol, dealing with groups of visitors and letting them know that this is indeed his lake. The family is together at night, and it is then that Mother and Father teach Ping and Pong the songs

We have listened to the rain singing here on the lake...day after day after day. In the gardens, hydrangea glows pink in the soft September light. Hummingbirds zip about, sometimes at the feeders, sometimes in the flowers. Once in a while two youngsters will spar, displaying their lovely white tipped tail feathers. Out on the lake, loon chicks Ping and Pong cruise happily, often flapping their handsome wings.

All seems so peaceful and calm here on the lake, as we listen to the news and see the heartbreaking photos coming from storm ravaged Texas. We wish them all hope in the face of such despair. Peace continues among the loons, with friendly visitors coming and going. Ping and Pong look wonderful. They are a bit more independent now.

Mother Nature surely agrees with these thoughts. Mornings in late August begin with the sound of geese flying across the path of the rising sun. Morning Glory opens. Each blossom lives only one day, so each works to be the very best. The late season phlox are sprinkled with dew. A thistle feeder attracts goldfinch near the kitchen window, a happy splash of sunny yellow.