Larry Weber’s early-September to-do list is a long one. Here are a few highlights.
Recent rains have spurred an increase in mushrooms. And while you’re out on a mushroom hunt, keep your eyes open for spider webs dappled with morning dew.
Sharp-shinned hawks, bald eagles, broadwing hawks and many other raptors are becoming more numerous overhead near Hawk Ridge. But also keep your eyes near the ground to see the migration of the woodpecker called "flickers". This species of woodpecker is mostly brown and tends to migrate in small family groups, staying low to the ground to feed on ants during the journey.
The leopard frog has a micro-migration of its own. It has spent recent months on land, but will return to the water with the changing season.
“Don’t let this time pass without going out and walking among a patch of goldenrod,” says Weber. "I took a few hours one day this week... and it was never boring." A variety of insects are flitting about in the fields putting on a unique late-summer show.
And, finally, the leaves are starting to change color. The color of the leaves may depend on the density of the forest. Yellow leaves will be further out in the woods, red tend to be out in the open.