The last house at the top of our street is anchored by a beautiful old maple tree. And every year as the time approaches for fall hints that summer is drawing to a close, that tree slowly begins to abandon green for a bright red to colour its foliage. That usually begins in mid- to late-September until it reaches its full glory at some time in October. Not this year. A few weeks ago we noticed some areas of the tree had already begun its colour transition. And that transition was so evolved over the space of a few weeks almost the entire tree is now engulfed in red. Far too soon. 

The weather, no doubt. While the tremendous amount of rain we've had in July and August has been a boon for some vegetation, it evidently hasn't for others. Area farmers where weather has been unusual are pointing out that their crops are suffering. The weather they term 'violent', comprised of flood-quality rain events and hailstorms battered some acreage, but those conditions weren't universal in the area; many other farms received the kind of rain their crops could easily handle.

 

 

In the forest we can see the results of the rain, in the splurge of growth of all manner of wildflowers. And the edible berries the forest carries have presented a better crop than usual. The ornamental wildflowers have proliferated widely, extending their growing range. They add colour and texture to the landscape and enhance it enormously. 

 

 

The wildlife is already enjoying some of the fruits of the forest, as well. We see in numerous places where squirrels and chipmunks have taken spruce and pine cones to prone fallen tree trunks they use as 'tables' where they dexterously take apart the cones to eat the seeds. We can see tiny teeth marks nibbling mushrooms, and apples that have been partially consumed.

 

 

One of our neighbours several streets over from ours tends at this time of year to wheelbarrow over to the edge of the forest the fruit from his apple and crabapple trees. He trundles them to the trailhead then dumps them down one of the hillsides leading to the ravine, their bright red adding to the colour cacophony of the season. In a few weeks when they begin to deteriorate birds and squirrels will come along and get 'drunk' on the sweet-vinagery fruit

Yesterday, Jillie sprinted after a quick and nimble rabbit at the pollinating meadow. The puppies are familiar with the smell of rabbits from our backyard. No doubt robins and cardinals have also been taking advantage of some of the ripening fruit, though robins prefer their food live and squirming and the incessant rain has rewarded them enormously.

 

And at home, though some annuals are prepared to retreat from the endless joy of producing flowers, others like roses have come into their second and third bloom producing gorgeous colours and forms to delight the eye of the gardener. It's true that I've already started some of the chores of fall clean-up, but at this point in the season, it's just a bit of tidying up. A lot more to be done in the months  ahead, and meanwhile, we can just enjoy what summer is still offering.