Well, there goes that little conceit, the belief that this summer weather granted us by beneficent nature is special for us and us alone, because of course, we're just so special. In fact, it appears to be global in nature. The phenomenon of such hot and sunny days following one on another in the fall month of October appears to have a wide reach. Either complaining or boasting, we're not alone. 

 

Canada's senior climatologist David Phillips with Environment Canada, has been quoted in the news as describing the heat that we've been engulfed in leaving previous records in the dust, as "weirdness, wildness and wackiness". Which does indeed sum it up. He also had more to say other than that this year "defies all odds"...

"If the world was boiling and blistering and we weren't, I'd think there is something wrong with the data."

"[Oceans surrounding Canada have been] like hot tubs [and the] highly unprecedented, very unusual weather [can be attributed partly to climate change though a] supersized [El Nino bringing in warm weather is also in play as is ocean temperatures, cloud coverage, circulation...]"

"It wouldn't have happened without climate change, but it's not the only factor."

 

 

So that's the where and the why and the how. The  unusually prolonged warm weather is also keeping some wildfires in Canada's forests and elsewhere in business. But in Canada while we're returning to what is considered normal weather for this time of year, there is also the prospect that we'll be delighted with early snow events courtesy of our northern climate; late October/early November not entirely out of the question.  

 

For today, at least, we enjoyed the last of this benignly warm and sunny week. Our foray into the ravine for our afternoon hike with Jackie and Jillie was beyond comfortably pleasant. And despite the prevailing temperature soon to go, we're convinced we've been seeing daily changes in the forest, with more unmistakable signals of fall -- past its approach and reaching into its most colourful displays.

 

 

The forest floor is covered with downed leaves even as some of the deciduous are taking on a decidedly bare appearance. Leaves from maples, beautifully bright red are now decorating the green-needled branches of conifers which stick on them as they float from their higher perches. Stray breezes are now capable of unleashing a waterfall of gracefully falling foliage.

 

Jillie, ever vigilant for the presence of any of her friends, called up two of them while we were out, to come gallumphing along for treats. These are two golden retrievers whose humans often walk together; one of the dogs is quicker to respond than the second, so Jillie returned downhill to another trail below ours to fetch up the second one.

 

When we returned back home, we lingered to admire the Hallowe'en decorative work of our neighbours. Bit by bit, day by day, they add a little more to their yearly display of ghosts, goblins and skeletons. The end result is amusing and imaginative, eliciting a chuckle or two from passersby.