The trees were turning slightly earlier than normal this year likely because of the drought. They weren't as bright as in previous years, but there were still lots of nice colours.
The trees at this spot were more subdued than in past years. Many leaves were already off the trees.
A black squirrel was hoping for a handout
There were a good number of wood ducks still around, I suspect they'll start heading south soon. They look very nice swimming through the fall reflections.
A mallard, sitting up tall in the sunlight
The mallards were dunking for food in the shallow water
While some young mallards were poking around tree roots in the low water
Canada geese are flocking. They were in the air and on the lake. If you click on the second photo and look closely, there is a cormorant on the left side and a grebe in amongst the geese on the right.
The chickadees were only too happy to come to hand. No nuthatches or woodpeckers seemed to be around
You could hear the cardinals in the bush, but we only saw one pair. They saw us feeding the chickadees and being too hesitant to come to hand themselves, were hoping we would put some seed down for them - we obliged.
A lone great blue heron backlit in bright sunlight
A first year male wild turkey (and friends e.g. squirrel in right photo) welcoming people at the trail front entrance hoping people might drop of some seeds for him
A few flowers were still blooming. Fleabane and two varieties of asters
And lots of buckthorn berries.......
Two photos are missing as I was not fast enough to take them... A merlin (?) chasing a small bird into the woods and a chickadee landing on my lens hood and looking down into it. Since I don't have photos, I guess they never happened 😊