Lots of caterpillars lately. They're curling up, tucking themselves in. This one we found on our purple basil in the garden.

This one was in the park where we had our nature walk this week. The colours are changing, becoming more brown and golden and orange. The seeds are developing as the flowers fade. I used to think of Winter as a dead time. I now see Fall as preparing for that time of Deep Rest where Nature prepares herself for the burst in the Springtime.

Just moments before, as we were walking down the path, a Great Blue Heron took to its wings from this spot.