>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
Fall brings cool weather, colorful foliage and migrating animals...usually. So far we have had an atypical fall, with October days in the 90's and green forest canopies in the middle of the month. Birders have been searching far and wide for warblers, offshore fishermen are awaiting the tuna reports, and mushroom hunters are praying for rain. Some years everything falls into place like clockwork, and some years things don't pan out according to the "schedule". More and more we are noticing the "schedule" is a bit off. Not just concerning fall weather, but in many ways. Nature always finds a way. When and how is the question.
The leaves will fall soon--will we see foliage fireworks for two weeks before they come down? Probably not. This unseasonably warm fall will affect many of nature's cycles; everything from migration patterns to winter food supplies. Although I like wearing T-shirts in October, a seared yellowfin tuna steak with a wild mushroom cream sauce sure would be nice.
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
