Tomorrow is the equinox, and the fall into autumn does seem to be accelerating fast.
Migrants are everywhere…although I took the page “Confusing Fall Warblers” in Peterson’s field guide too literally as a young person and thus still can’t latch onto many IDs. The two pictured above, though, I usually get right. Common Yellowthroats (left) are just a little cuter than average due to being in a different genus from many warblers. And Tennessee Warblers (right) are the warbler version of a Blackgum, with few identifying features.
(Follow me for more terrible birding ID tips!)
Dragonflies and damselflies mostly look themselves at this time of year, but wings are growing tattered. Within a month, most adults will have died, leaving only their watery nymph stage behind.
(Be sure to click on the photo on the left to see the Lilypad Forktail in its full glory!)
If I think too much about the lack of diversity settling in soon, fall can be bittersweet. But, in the moment, the cooler temperatures and exciting visitors make this one of the most fun times to be outside!