Preparing for Cooler Weather!

  This morning, we had our first hint of fall.  At sunrise, a slight north wind gave the idea that perhaps the weather would be cooler this week. Any cool front is welcome but this one more than others.  With this cool front making its way to the Coast, all three hurricanes may just be steered in a different direction. Now if we could just get a full blown cold front to blow them all out to sea, things would be nigh on perfect. Besides, I am ready for fall. With fall comes the Annual Clue Hunt on the Bayou and Halloween!

  While pondering the approach of cooler weather, a racket over my head made me peer upwards.  Whack!  A small branch fell from an oak tree and hit my shoulder.  That type of "fall" I do not like! Then I heard a hasty chattering of a squirrel in the top of a nearby tree.  Aha!  The culprit!  The next twenty minutes were spent watching this little squirrel as she built a huge nest.  This, in itself, is a sure sign of fall.  Squirrels all over the hillside are in the nest building mode.  The springtime nests that housed mama and baby squirrels will be abandoned and new ones built.  These new homes will be lined a bit heavier and will seem a bit bulkier than the spring ones.  While a good many squirrels will use hollow trees or abandoned woodpecker holes for wintertime nests, others will stick with their leafy abodes.  Our winters are never too severe so the squirrels will be snug in their leaf nests. 

  The nest starts as a few twigs placed in the crotch or fork of tree branches.  The twigs are woven to create a platform then other twigs are placed to build a dome shape over the platform.  Usually, oak branches are used as the leaves are durable.  The nest will have two "doors" for easy escape in case a predator attacks.  The inner portion is lined with soft leaves, moss and grasses.  In fact, by the time the squirrel is satisfied with its home, the nest will be pretty much sealed against the weather.  Once inside, the squirrel will stay warm and dry.

  Watching this little critter create its home gave me hope that we will actually "have" winter this year.  Last year, was unbelievably warm.  I need cold!  I need winter!  Oh, I need FALL FIRST!