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A Walk in My Autumn Woods in New York State

Updated on October 21, 2012
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Connie knows how very important natural habitats are to our bird populations. That's why she loves bird-friendly flowers, shrubs, and trees.

A portion of my beautiful and peaceful woodlands.
A portion of my beautiful and peaceful woodlands. | Source

Autumn--My Favorite Time of Year

Is there anything more beautiful than the colorful trees of autumn? I don't think so. Nature paints her foliage with cheerful and warm colors. I think that She's trying to ease us into the thought of the drab, cold winter months ahead. It's Her way of cushioning the blow! Whatever the reason, the beauty and wonder of this awesome time of year never ceases to amaze me. I wanted to share these views with you, because they will all too soon give way to yet another season.

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Mama and Baby Raccoons

Mama Raccoon and 3 of her 4 babies foraging under the bird feeders.  They will soon be in hibernation mode, so they need to chow down now!
Mama Raccoon and 3 of her 4 babies foraging under the bird feeders. They will soon be in hibernation mode, so they need to chow down now! | Source

Unexpected Encounter

As we head out for the woods, we surprise a raccoon family in action. There are 4 babies, but you only see 3 here. Number 4 is a little smaller and more easily distracted than the rest. It is always bringing up the rear and exploring all its surroundings. I enjoy the comedy as it suddenly realizes the rest of the family has moved on. It must work those little legs as fast as it can to catch up!

Usually mama raccoon and her 4 babies forage at night. I suspect they are anxious to load up on nutrition in anticipation of their long wintertime hibernation. They must be sure to pack away as many fat calories as possible.

This raccoon family has been around since early spring, at which time the youngsters were very tiny. They have gained quite a bit while hunting for food by watching and following in their mama's footsteps. So cute!

Birds Enjoying Breakfast at the Feeders

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A little Tufted Titmouse should soon realize that I added shelled peanuts to the tray feeder this morning.  That's one of their favorite treats!Downy Woodpecker perches with her back to us--she's more interested in breakfast!Blue Jay grabbing a piece of bread.  There's also a Hairy Woodpecker at the feeder loading up on black oil sunflowers seeds.Goldfinches are eating from both tube feeders.  One I stock with sunflower seeds and the other holds niger seeds.  They love them both.Here's a little chickadee enjoying all the goodies in the tray feeder.
A little Tufted Titmouse should soon realize that I added shelled peanuts to the tray feeder this morning.  That's one of their favorite treats!
A little Tufted Titmouse should soon realize that I added shelled peanuts to the tray feeder this morning. That's one of their favorite treats! | Source
Downy Woodpecker perches with her back to us--she's more interested in breakfast!
Downy Woodpecker perches with her back to us--she's more interested in breakfast! | Source
Blue Jay grabbing a piece of bread.  There's also a Hairy Woodpecker at the feeder loading up on black oil sunflowers seeds.
Blue Jay grabbing a piece of bread. There's also a Hairy Woodpecker at the feeder loading up on black oil sunflowers seeds. | Source
Goldfinches are eating from both tube feeders.  One I stock with sunflower seeds and the other holds niger seeds.  They love them both.
Goldfinches are eating from both tube feeders. One I stock with sunflower seeds and the other holds niger seeds. They love them both. | Source
Here's a little chickadee enjoying all the goodies in the tray feeder.
Here's a little chickadee enjoying all the goodies in the tray feeder. | Source

The Birds Are Very Active This Morning!

When the birds are active, you can bet there's a storm of some sort on the way. As a matter of fact, I just heard the weather report; they are calling for a rainy and windy night tonight. The birds have some sort of extra sense that tells them they had best eat now and then hunker down and shelter from the oncoming bad weather! Mother Nature has provided them with this sense to help them to survive the elements.

When I see all this extra activity, I will add some day-old bread crumbs to the feeders to give them a boost in the fat department. This will keep their feathers healthy as well as help the birds to stay warm while they ride out the inclement weather.

Heading Up Into The Woods

We'll leave the backyard now and head on up into the woods. I just love to pause and watch my birds because they make all my cares and stress float away! I am blessed with a wonderful group of feathered friends and a very peaceful woodland area. Walking in the woods is something I enjoy every day that the weather allows.

These Leaves Are Just Starting To Turn

Some trees are just beginning to show color, while others are still green.
Some trees are just beginning to show color, while others are still green. | Source

Just the Right Shade of Blue

Mother Nature sure knows how to pick out just the right shade of blue, doesn't she?!
Mother Nature sure knows how to pick out just the right shade of blue, doesn't she?! | Source

Awesome Leaf Colors

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Swamp White Oak sports lovely pink leaves in autumn.Gorgeous bright red- orange leaves of the White Oak.The light lemon yellow of this Big Tooth Aspen leaf looks like a drop of sunshine!Burgundy adorns this red maple leaf, which rests atop a golden brown Northern Red Oak leaf.Orange coats these Oak leaves.Northern Red Oak leaves.Shagbark Hickory Leaf is light golden yellow.
Swamp White Oak sports lovely pink leaves in autumn.
Swamp White Oak sports lovely pink leaves in autumn. | Source
Gorgeous bright red- orange leaves of the White Oak.
Gorgeous bright red- orange leaves of the White Oak. | Source
The light lemon yellow of this Big Tooth Aspen leaf looks like a drop of sunshine!
The light lemon yellow of this Big Tooth Aspen leaf looks like a drop of sunshine! | Source
Burgundy adorns this red maple leaf, which rests atop a golden brown Northern Red Oak leaf.
Burgundy adorns this red maple leaf, which rests atop a golden brown Northern Red Oak leaf. | Source
Orange coats these Oak leaves.
Orange coats these Oak leaves. | Source
Northern Red Oak leaves.
Northern Red Oak leaves. | Source
Shagbark Hickory Leaf is light golden yellow.
Shagbark Hickory Leaf is light golden yellow. | Source

Everywhere you look there's a variegated tapestry of Nature's colors. The tree leaves are in various stages of coloration depending upon the amount of sunlight that reaches them, and the moisture and chemical content of the soil in which they are growing.

The sunlight this morning is highlighting this stand of trees in all their different colorations.
The sunlight this morning is highlighting this stand of trees in all their different colorations. | Source
Layers of color each with its own beauty.
Layers of color each with its own beauty. | Source
Another beautiful section of my woodlands.
Another beautiful section of my woodlands. | Source
The canopy is just as gorgeous!
The canopy is just as gorgeous! | Source
This meadow stretches down into a valley, and is used by all kinds of birds and wildlife year round.
This meadow stretches down into a valley, and is used by all kinds of birds and wildlife year round. | Source

Nature's Colorful Combinations

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Beautiful light orange and yellow compliment each other.More of Mother Nature's color combos.Golden Yellows
Beautiful light orange and yellow compliment each other.
Beautiful light orange and yellow compliment each other. | Source
More of Mother Nature's color combos.
More of Mother Nature's color combos. | Source
Golden Yellows
Golden Yellows | Source
The view from my front 'yard'.
The view from my front 'yard'. | Source

I hope you have enjoyed your walk through my autumn woodlands in New York State. Thanks for visiting me.

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