Nature Observations Archives

Wandering in Golden Light

It was my last night in Connecticut. Evening was closing in. I decided to step away for a bit and go for one final walk by myself. I was immediately rewarded for following my intuition. The timing could not have been more perfect. The glow of the setting sun illuminated the hayfield, turning it from green to gold.

Looking for Fireflies

The glow from the setting sun was still fading from the sky, as late June is when the evenings are the longest. It should be prime firefly-flashing season. I didn’t have to go far and I started to see tiny lights against dark foliage. I had found them! Even here, in the middle of the city there are fireflies!

On the Banks of Summer

I have mixed feelings about the arrival of June because it spells the end of spring and the beginning of summer. On the one hand, I am dreading the hot weather and being trapped inside the house with the air conditioning. On the other hand, I am excited about the change and looking forward to things like the summer solstice, the chorus of annual cicadas, twinkling fireflies, and long evenings.

A Strawberry Outing

We take our time, strolling down the farm lane, taking in the countryside views. A little further along, the delicious smell of ripe strawberries fills the air. Row upon row of plants stretches out before us. Where do you think the best picking might be?

When April Feels Like May

The first thing I noticed upon leaving the house was that all of the typical springtime flowers are done and gone. We already have quite a few of what I grew up calling “summer” flowers. Some iris, a few peony (although mostly spent at this point), and lots of roses are blooming.

Watching the Evening Sky

The sun is setting, giving us yet another beautiful sunset. The giant glowing orb slowly sinks out of sight leaving a wash of color in its wake. Sitting outside on the balcony I can hear chickadees, chimney swifts, and the occasional robin still chattering away, even though it’s getting late. They sing as if to bid the sun goodnight.

Waiting for Rain

The following entry will describe a single weather event from the evening of April 24, 2026. This will be the first entry in the “Seasonfold Postcard” series.

The World is Awake Again

Spring is well on its way and things are rapidly unfolding. Most of March felt like nothing was happening but now things are changing in leaps and bounds. Signs of new growth are multiplying like a fireworks display approaching the finale, with overlapping sounds and bursts of color everywhere you look. It seems everyday there is something new blooming or leafing out.

A Delicate Green Veil

Outside the birds are singing. I can finally see tiny leaves appearing on the trees and I swear they were not there yesterday. The grass has started to grow again, showing short stems and vibrant green leaves. The wild Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia) have blossomed and their tiny blueish-purple flowers dot the grassy areas.

The Space Between Seasons

We are still lingering in the in-between season, with one foot in winter and the other in spring. Newly sprouted bulbs are starting to fill out and I am finding tiny green leaves budding on the honeysuckle, but no flowers yet. Instead there is a strong sense that things are going on beneath the surface…

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