Joann Merritt's Essays

The Joys Of Autumn
November, 2006

How do I love Autumn? Let me count the ways. I suppose fall’s “gone to glory” leaves should be mentioned first because this is the time of year they perform their glorious finale before becoming mulch or places of refuge for a variety of insects. The early morning sun shining directly on our “mite of a motte” of sumac trees gives them fingers of fire reaching toward the sky, thus becoming an absolute blaze of glory! These are the trees that our young grandchildren dubbed Enchanted Forest and their sign is still there, rightly proclaiming that name. It’s amazing how much pleasure our two acres furnish as I walk the trails that present an ever-changing scene as the sun moves across the sky.

Migrating birds stop at our bird magnet, Jesse’s Pond, to drink or bathe while providing good views for the birders who dwell within the comfortable home. It’s exciting to see the first migrants of fall, even the Sharp-shinned Hawk who didn’t want a drink as much as he wanted the White-winged Dove that he caught and de-feathered before flying off to de-vour his dinner.

The most memorable sight and sound was the 15 Canada Geese flying low and honking as they headed toward I-20 Pond about 6 P.M. one afternoon. I guess they have seen the signs that read “If you can’t stop, at least honk as you go by” because that’s what the did! Two Townsend’s Warblers and an Indigo Bunting weren’t bad, either. I must not forget our royal visitors wearing their crowns of Ruby (Kinglet), Orange (Warbler) and White (Sparrow).

As if to make up for the Monarch migration bypassing Midland this fall, many stunningly beautiful species of butterflies appeared as if by magic to entertain all who would notice them. There were as many as 60 Queens on our Blue Mistflower at one time, then when the New England Aster and White Mistflower bloomed I hardly dared come inside the house for fear of missing something. On November 29th, the day before the icy cold front arrived, I counted 23 species in my yard nectaring on the asters and verbena which were the only flowers still in bloom. Was I excited to see the White Peacock?? Yes, I was!! A rare Apache Skipper was also present but it’s hard to get very excited about a small black and orangey specimen, especially after seeing the Peacock. If you missed Emmy Ulmschneider’s native plant garden in her front yard - actually, it IS her front yard! - you cannot imagine the great numbers of butterflies that swarmed about her flowers. Among the 25 or so species found were hundreds of Painted and American Ladies, one West Coast Lady (Allen) and a Brazilian Skipper (Sybil). Shirley was in butterfly heaven as she spent her lunch hour there and Don Hunter was equally impressed with Emmy’s bounty. The prize jewel was a small but gorgeous-beyond-belief Silver-banded Hairstreak found by Allen. Its wings are green, just the envious shade of green that I turned when I couldn’t find it. Fabulous Fall Butterflies were in Midland just for our viewing pleasure. I took advantage of the opportunity.