Fall conjures up fond memories of a lot of different things for all of us, wherever you live. Whether you're exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway in the east, or making your way through the rugged terrain of the west, there's no one better to help us through this unusual year than Mother Nature. 

A shy young nubbin buck peeks cautiously out from behind an apple tree where he spent the day enjoying apples on the ground.   And up in the tree as well; as high as his small young legs could take him

It's been hard for me to find a place more beautiful in the Fall than in Virginia.  But this Fall in a pandemic, our "new normal" may change the Falls we've been used to. Here, on the shores of Lake Abbott under the shadow and curious history of the Peaks of Otter in Bedford, Virginia deer ramble, eating grass and stealing apples from the occasional tree. Tourists have stopped and gathered at the lodge here for years, and for a delicious meal served family style.

Travel restrictions have eased for some of us, but for the most part travel has been seriously hindered by closings and restrictions relative to the pandemic.  So more and more, people are turning to the outside and some have found nature closer to home to discover its beauty, new interests, activities, and joy with their families and friends. Activities that will make new memories, bring them closer and bond them forever. This year especially, people are seeking more of the beautiful Fall colors and a respite from 2020.

© A RETIRED CABOOSE FROM THE "CHESSIE SYSTEM" RESTS PERMANENTLY AMONG MOUNDS OF FALL COLOR.  

The name, "Chessie" and its cat logo had become a popular reference to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, aka the C&O.  The name was retired when CSX merged with the C&O Railroad back in the good ol' days, the late 1980s.

We’ve probably all seen our older relatives smile and blissfully gaze off in the distance, when they make a reference to “the good ol’ days.” 

Beginning in early 2020 however, with the pandemic and our "new normal," no matter your age, they are all the good ol’ days.

Some of the things this pandemic has brought to our attention however, have been good.  I am so thankful now that I had established a wildlife habitat to attract birds and butterflies especially, right outside my window. I’d encourage everyone to take a little time to do that, if for no other reason than to be greeted every morning with happy chirping and visions of birds, butterflies and perhaps a dragonfly or two, flitting around your yard, showing off their colors while visiting the new flowers and food you’ve provided. 

©BLUE DASHER DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES VISIT THE WANDERING JEW IN MY GARDEN DAILY WHEN IT'S BLOOMING.  

Many people purposefully plan aspects of their wildlife gardens to attract dragons, since they're voracious insect predators and it's been proven they'll keep flying insects in your yard in check.  

And despite my calculated and colorful planting to attract specific wildlife, there's always a few that just seem to love a bare stick.  All joking aside though, since dragons' are aerial predators it's the perfect perch for them to keep an eye out to launch quickly when a tasty morsel happens to fly by.

                                                                                                                       

                                                           ROSEATE SKIMMER© 

People have always enjoyed going outside in the Fall, to enjoy its natural beauty and this year especially, the interest in gardening and outdoor activities has grown substantially. Even for people heretofore who only paused for a minute from their formerly busy lives to merely glance out a window every now and then.

Summer may be over, but there's still a lot to see outside. 
Instead of marking the end of Summer and outside activities, Fall actually proves to be a busy time for certain wildlife so hiking, visiting state and federal parks, or just picnicking in our own back yards can be both rewarding and liberating, especially now. 

                                  SPINEY ORB WEAVER IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC ©

Orb Weaver Spiders can span from the very small to the very large.  This particular species, the Spiny Orb Weaver is merely the size of a human finger nail.  They make up for their small stature however, with rather curious markings on their backs that resemble a face painted for Halloween with sharp red spikes protruding for added affect, and perhaps to spell "danger" to predators.  

By Fall, Garden Spiders, Orb Weavers and other spiders with all sorts of unique markings and colorations are abandoning their webs and focused on protecting their eggs, even in the warm south.  Webs they have meticulously spun throughout the summer that have snared thousands of bothersome mosquitoes and other stinging insects.  

The unique Golden Orb Weaver is a spider worthy of attention.  They're known for their strong webs whose shiny gold silk has been used to weave into beautiful garments. And based on a surprising fossil discovery a few years ago, these large and colorful spiders have changed little if any in over 175 million years, according to the Paleontologist and his partners who discovered her.  Their webs range in color from pale beige to a deep golden that glistens in the sun, so don't forget to look up too when you're hiking in the south.  

  © BINDING NUPTIALS 

©To my knowledge, this has never been observed or documented before!  Was it instinct, or was this particular spider especially crafty?  ©

I observed this almost invisible, tiny Golden Orb Weaver male (top of photo) patiently waiting for weeks, rain or shine.  He tenaciously repaired this large colorful females web day and night.  Perhaps it was to win her favor over the other males camped out on her web. Or perhaps it was to insure his escape route from her large mandibles. This female Golden Orb Weaver was the size of an adults hand.  And this tiny male was ever vigilant and aware that if he got too close, he could get the boot to the dark side of the web again, by legs whose one segment is larger than his entire body. Or worse, become yet another meal for her, like the other hopeful males, one by one had earned.  
Finally, after several failed attempts to stroke her abdomen to calm this cranky female so he could mate, he seized a moment when she was engrossed in her meal, to use his strong silk to bind those powerful back legs while she was finally oblivious to his precarious approach. 

                THEN SHE WILL BE ALONE, ONLY EATING TO NOURISH HER EGGS,                                                                        NIGHT AND DAY©  

After choosing her mate from the myriad of brave hopefuls  who spent their Summer on her web, she'll fastidiously wrap up her egg cases and ensure the survival of her species. By then, large holes caused by wind and weather will start to go unrepaired on their 6'x6' webs.  

But unlike the bright Halloween colors of female Golden Orbs, their egg cases are innocuous, drab colored blobs in varying sizes.

       GOLDEN ORB WEAVER EGG CASE, JUST BEGINNING TO HATCH IN SPRING©

She will hide her tightly woven cases wherever she feels they will winter over safely.  Sometimes among leaves, securing them to branches in bushes, where they will easily camouflage with the faded leaves of Fall and Winter.  This one was nestled in the dead leaves of a Rose of Sharon, barely 5 feet tall.  When the warm, moist Spring weather provides what her hundreds of offspring need to emerge from their winter hiding spot, they’ll burst out purposefully, and begin their new lives in the wild.  As their ancestors have done for millenniums. 

            Stay tuned for the curious symbiotic nature of these hatching spiderlings.

Whether you're exploring the rugged terrain of indigenous cactus and cowboys, and mountain climbing in Arizona...............

                          

Or the solace of a rainbow in the surf of Monterey California, waiting for the migrating whales to meander by..........

Nature is always interesting; ever changing, and never stagnant or boring.  So enjoy what I've spent years studying, learning, and documenting.   

And I wish you all more inspiration, more discoveries, more rewards, and most of all, more joy                             through your travels with my posts on natures bulletin board. 

Stay tuned for

"IF YOU PLANT IT, THEY WILL COME"

and other curious investigations into the natural world

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