18 August 2014

It's That Time of Year

Summer in south-central Alaska is a thing to behold. The greenery in early June is so lush that you'd think we lived in a rain forest. Summer typically lasts through September, and then things begin to change in October.

But what about this year?

We've been watching the first flocks of geese heading southeast (south would take them to the open Pacific) since late July. That's when the first few dead leaves began to fall.

Yesterday we noticed that the Northern Birch leaves are turning yellow. The honking of geese overhead is a daily occurrence.

Temps are starting to display an inconsistent pattern of cooler one day, warmer the next, with the frequent passing showers that are a hallmark of autumn here. Rain jackets are now part of "what we carry along" on trips out.



It's not fall here - yet - but it's not far away.

10 comments:

OldAFSarge said...

We've been seeing similar signs of autumn approaching here in New England.

(I heard a flock of geese doing a fly-by at 0530 this morning. They were in full honk at minimum altitude.)

Rev. Paul said...

I hear ya, Sarge.

We won't hear this on the news, but this year has been just about the coldest summer on record (for the Lower 48). An early winter won't be a surprise.

PioneerPreppy said...

It's been so cool down here I am weeks behind on getting my left over wax melted. It isn't getting hot enough to use my solar melter. Never had that happen before.

Rev. Paul said...

Preppy, we've been hearing for two years about cool weather because of the low level of sunspot activity. The warming alarmists haven't figured out how to spin it, yet. :)

Cathy said...

Shhhhhhhh . . . . .

I'm trying not to notice,

The dogwoods are turning . . . the ducks, geese and robins are huddling together whispering about the weather . . .

And yes, my son the planetary scientist is pointing at the tanking solar magnetic index. Gloom.

Rev. Paul said...

But Cathy, just think what a spectacular winter it will be!

Okay, I'm gonna go hide now...

Cathy said...

Yeah. You better.

Rev. Paul said...

:)

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Before you know it fall will be right at your back door knocking.
Temperatures have changed here again. Were extremely hot, things are dying off, and strange enough there are not as many birds. I'm fearful winter will be bad this year for us on the plains of Oklahoma.

Rev. Paul said...

Sandy, we're sorry to hear about your hot spell; hope y'all get some relief soon.

Meanwhile, it was 46 at my house this morning.