Fall has really begun

The nip is in the air. The squirrels are fighting for food. The birds are on the feeders in droves. The Cooper's hawks have been by here too many times lately, trying to catch the birds, squirrels, mice, or rabbits. You know when hawks are desperate for food when they go after squirrels and rabbits. The squirrels around here give them the smack down, but rabbits don't. They are sitting ducks. What I'm saying is that there has been such a flurry of activity - almost like a hint of desperation. It seems to me that this winter might be as bitter cold as what they are predicting, and the animals know it. I really hope things don't turn out that way!