A hard winter coming?

As I said, I am becoming a watcher of things. Today's subject was a squirrel working on its nest for this winter. Here on the Bayou, we rarely have frigid winters. Sure, we have "cold spells" with some freezes but nothing that ever lasts for days on end. This past winter there was a period of a few days that we did not get above freezing and had nights down into the teens but that is almost a novelty here. However, this squirrel was padding its nest well. I am wondering now if these animals know something that we don't. Most of the time, squirrels will make a nest of twigs and line it with leaves and bits of fur, but this smart beasty decided to go the extra step. She has made her home in a hollow tree and padded it well. She stuffed, pulled and crammed this hole full. Insulation! No not the type in our walls and attic..something far more readily attainable. Even though it has been five years since Katrina decided to descend upon the Bayou, there is still plenty of debris. I could not really see myself sploshing around in the marsh picking up odds and ends that were washed in with the tidal surge. Consequently, there are still pieces of furniture such as sofas and mattresses hung up in the underbrush and trees. This smart little rodent has decided to pilfer some of the stuffing from one of these deteriorating uglies to line its nest. She had actually pulled so much in on one day that it would go no further. It was stuck! The doorway was jammed! Then after much tugging it finally gave way and she was back in business. A trip to the old sofa..then return to the nest. This is a win/win situation! More debris is finally being cleared and she has a toasty warm nest for the winter. But..does this little smartypants know something that the weather forecasters do not? I have not heard any mention of this being an unusually frosty winter but I am now beginning to wonder. What with the extra lining of nests and the extreme storing of food by both the squirrels and the red-bellied woodpeckers, there could possibly be a connection to freezing weather. I suppose I will just have to watch and see, perhaps we shall have a "winter wonderland" on the Bayou! I think tomorrow I will stock our woodpile a bit higher just in case these wild, woodland, weather forecasters are on to something!

Speaking of winter, it does seem that it might be a bit earlier this year. Our temperatures are predicted to fall into the thirties this weekend. Not that I am complaining one bit..I love cold weather! While shrimping on the pier today, I noticed the clouds that were with this cold front. Last night we had a lovely rain with strong winds from the South. It was a welcome rain as is any. The Fall garden is doing well and the moisture will push it a bit further. Then around two o'clock this afternoon, the wind shifted from the North. The clouds made a turn to come back over us. No rain this time but it made for some interesting pictures.