"September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn. The cricket chirps in the noontide, making the most of what remains of his brief life. The bumblebee is busy among the clover blossoms of the aftermath, and their shrill and dreamy hum hold the outdoor world above the voices of the song birds, now silent or departed."
- September Days By Rowland E. Robinson, Vermont.
September days are warm but the cool mornings and evenings are such a blessing after our long hot summer. Walking through the garden I see ravaged and tired plants alongside new buds and fresh blooms. Butterflies and caterpillars are in abundance and bees are busy on the blooms of the Oranges and Lemons Gaillardia and the Tri-color Sedum.
The Astilbe and Heuchera and some of the Hardy Ageratum have been devoured by bunnies or insects. But I was happy to see that the fennel, though totally devoured, had been providing food for these black swallowtail caterpillars.
The late afternoon sun seemed to be shining a spotlight on the Lantana and this swallowtail.
And I loved the way the sun shone through the leaves of the Coleus and the Japanese Maple.
Trees and shrubs are adorned with berries - Nandina, Pyracantha, Dogwood, and Holly.
Soon the mums will be in bloom, the leaves will be falling, and we'll need sweaters to sit outside in the evening. I can't wait!
