According to the locals, summer in ND is short. How can that be, I thought. The growing season and frost-free dates are the same as SE Wyoming. Yet, after my first summer, I agree; summer is short. More factors come into play besides the growing season.

Fluctuating day length is the most noticeable variable. Nights are still light until 9ish, but I discover that early morning is now dark. I arise on Sundays at 5:30 AM to prepare for work and this morning: totally dark. I watch the sky lighten and reflect pink hues, and then the huge orange sun emerge through a smokey, hazy sky.

As the earth tilts away from the sun, people throughout the Northern Hemisphere must notice the change. However, since we are so far north, we feel the effect sooner. That is not to say days/nights  are cold. In fact, this is one of the few weeks with consistent temperatures in the high 80s-90s. However, an undergarment of coldness rests just below the still-warm air. Early migrating birds fly overhead. Dark, chilly mornings. Then, someone flips the autumn switch. The build up to autumn is quick and once the switch is thrown, summer ends. No going back. No teasing up here by the forces of nature, they are more decisive in the northern latitudes.

Tomorrow I will head again to Long Lake NWR and see more closely who is flying through.Happy Sunday!