October Around The Farm

Our temperatures began dropping and our trees began taking on color early in October. The New England Asters have been blooming cheerfully since mid-September. Last night's hard freeze (and this weekend's even colder temperatures) may put a stop to all such flowers:

The Rugosa Roses are mostly finished blooming, but every now and then a flower or two bursts open. As with the Asters, today's frigid temperatures may have ended every attempt at producing flowers:

I had to start doing the morning chores later as the sunrise arrived later. I had to tend to the cattle while it was still somewhat dark:

And, looking back at the house, the lights beckon me with thoughts of warmth, comfort and another cup of coffee:

The Canada Geese have been flying south for many weeks now, honking loudly lest anyone fail to notice them:

My little bantams still enjoy going outside every day but it won't be long before snow and ice keep them indoors:

My tenant wanted to make friends with the cattle and I suggested that nothing will win them over like apples. They took to him quickly when he had apples to offer:

He even walked out into the field and the cattle were not afraid of him. They've come a long way in their socialization in the two years they've been here:

Just like last autumn, I began discovering hidden nests full of rotten eggs as the foliage began to drop. I piled them into a bowl and carried them to a remote location to dispose of, trying earnestly not to break any. The stench of the green goo inside a rotten egg is something I want to avoid. I know that because I've broken some:

The Wild Cucumbers barely finished their seed pods before the nightly frosts began withering the leaves:

And the rose hips on the Rugosa Roses began to shrivel:

The truly lovely colors began with the Peonies, but there was much more color to follow: