Early August: too early to see signs of fall? People in Yuma still sizzle in air temperatures over 100 degrees. The beach goers in Miami simmer now in high humidity and air temps in the 90s. However, if you gaze up to North Dakota on your weather map, you will discover that night temps are already in the 50s. Tonight a local told me that after the August full moon, North Dakota begins to chill. I believe it after camping the previous two nights in the glorious, refreshing air, watching the now waning moon drift across the night sky.
Much more is going on that makes me feel the advance of fall through the high plains. I learned this past spring that birds gather in larger flocks when migrating–safety in numbers. And the sight of such a flock resting and taking off in unison from a rest stop in an agriculture field is stupendous. Those who stayed to breed broke away from the large groups and paired up. Canada Geese pairs clunk-landed on ice patches and stood together, motionless like statues for weeks. Not long after, the protective parents lead their goslings out to forage and learn the reality of life around prairie ponds and potholes. Likewise, the newly arrived blackbirds gathered for loud parties in leafless trees, then took on that goo goo starry-eyed look of the newly engaged. I see now that the Canada Geese and Blackbirds hover in large flocks again. An observer in Oklahoma reports that Geese are checking into their warmer state.
More obvious than the bird gatherings: the ripening crops. Buff-colored fields hold wheat and oats. Dark green, tasseled corn stands tall next to cheery sunflower fields that turn more yellow every day. Also more obvious, the shortening day length; however, we have plenty of light at 9:30 PM this far north. And, the garden is, at the same time, producing prodigiously and fading fast after the peak glorious greenery.
Time to watch for fall migration! When? Which days produce good sightings? My research tells me to head out the day following a cold front. Right now the fronts are stationary over this area, but at the first and subsequent passage of the fronts, I will be out there watching. My version of the fall hunt begins soon. In the meantime, you can find me at the blackbird and geese gatherings. They are always interesting company.
A typical birder dresses like so:
I am considering these options for my fall birding wardrobe:
I am ordering this for my next ice fishing trip:
