Seen This Week: Shorter Days

Sunrise on Thursday 14 October 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

16 October 2021

It’s been three and a half weeks since the September equinox and every day is shorter than the last. Sunrise draws attention because it’s later every day. On Thursday the sky turned red before the sun appeared.

In the half light after sunset Morela prepared to roost.

Morela is ready to leave for her roost, 13 October 2021, 6:59pm (photo from the National Aviary snapshot cam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

The days are the same length as in late February during peregrine courtship. Morela and Ecco visited the nest as if they are thinking of spring.

Morela and Ecco bowing, 13 October 2021, 6:14pm (photo from the National Aviary snapshot cam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

Meanwhile most plants and trees have set fruit, including this streetside Callery pear.

Callery pear fruit, 14 October 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

And in Downtown Pittsburgh I found a directional message on our tallest building.

“There is the sky, so that must be Up.”

There is the sky so that must be Up, Downtown Pittsburgh, 13 October 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

(photos by Kate St. John)

5 thoughts on “Seen This Week: Shorter Days

  1. Something seen this week that was unexpected: i heard, and then saw, a couple of redwing blackbirds at the pond in Homewood Cemetery. Thought they’d gone south by now!

    1. I had the same experience at Schenley Park on Thursday when I saw & heard a single red-winged blackbird. I guess these are the stragglers who waited to move south.

  2. Kate, this was such a lovely post. I thoroughly enjoyed…especially Morela and Ecco at the nest box. The “up” was adorable. Thank you!

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