Small gems of October have provided entertainment and distraction throughout the month, acknowledged with appreciation, wonder, and some amusement.

I’ve been admiring the treasures afforded, observing wildlife in their environment over the past few weeks. While walking by the ocean, a seal repeatedly dived and resurfaced, keeping abreast with my steps. We watched each other with mutual curiosity.

A turkey, with feathers of beautiful burnished bronze, steps out into the road in front of the car.

With great hesitation it pauses, remaining motionless with indecision, stopping traffic in both directions before ever so slowly making its way across. Come on buddy, you can do it!

On the way to the farmer’s market, I spy what appears to be a snake dangling from the bushes.

Both dogs and people passing by are giving it a wide berth. Of course I need to check this out. On closer inspection it is revealed the snake is a rubber one, and there are two of them! Clever way to keep dogs away from your plants!

I pause in front of a neighbor’s house to watch a squirrel busily carrying black walnuts and burying them strategically throughout the lawn. It seems to be having a difficult time deciding exactly where the best location should be. Finally he chooses a place, digs a hole, drops his prize inside and quickly covers it up. He begins to leave, but suddenly Squirrel notices me and realizes I have seen where his deposit has been made. He freezes, sits up tall and stares at me with suspicion and alarm. I can almost imagine him saying “Uh-oh!”

Worried that this observer might steal his prize, he quickly runs back to the the spot and frantically digs the walnut back up.

With his treasure once again safely in his possession, he shoots a pointed look in my direction before taking off with it, over a fence, on to a safer hideaway.

It has been dry. The house sparrows enjoy water accumulated in the saucer of a porch plant.

Following the first frost, we experience an Indian Summer. My brother’s bees emerge to take advantage of the warmth as they prepare their stores for the winter.

A flotilla of Canada geese, all facing in the same direction, adorn sapphire waters on a breezy day.

A napping dog blissfully soaks up the sun inside an uptown storefront window.

Rich colors and textures abound during this Autumn month. The bright green, custard-tasting paw-paws have ripened.

Pomegranates, with their lovely renaissance hues, are available and plentiful.

Acorns and oak leaves blanket the woodland floor.

I indulge in a handful of Matsutake mushrooms, a cherished favorite, which I clean, slice, sauté in butter, and eat right out of the pan while standing over the stove.

Mums and asters of gemstone hues grace The Urban Porch – and just about everyone’s porches up and down the street.

Resinous buds in my neighbor’s back yard catch the afternoon rays.

The gingko nuts have ripened on the trees

and fallen to the sidewalk, where they have been crushed underfoot, emitting a vomit-like aroma.

Grasses wave in the wind coming off the river,

delicate in their detail.

The firebush by the driveway does its annual flame.

October has brought the gift of beautiful skies. Dream-inspiring clouds decorate above.

October gave us rainbows arching across horizons and peaking through a canopy of trees.

Denim waters reflect the azure atmosphere.

There was a wonderous glimpse – even from the Urban Porch – of the aurora borealis one night.

October brought us a great big melon ball of a full super-moon too.

And if we are lucky, we might be able to see one of the two comets anticipated this month. I haven’t been able to locate it from where I sit, at least not so far, but that would be a celestial treat.

The neighbors decorate their homes with haunting displays in anticipation of Halloween. Unable to restrain myself, I have already begun to sample the candy meant for trick-or-treaters.

Sections of the Crow Tree that still bear leaves bedazzle with a stunning glow against electric blue.

The fig tree and other plants which had summered on the porch have been brought inside. The annual planting of daffodil bulbs in honor of my mother has been completed. Little old Rudi supervises as he basks in the afternoon sun.

These are the mood-inducing, wistful, seasonal observations – and a few sighs – as the month of October moves swiftly past us.

~*~