20 November 2021
This week we had a last blast of fall color, a partial lunar eclipse and a surprising confirmation of pigeon fertility. Here are a few scenes from 12-19 November.
The ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba) turned yellow and will probably drop their leaves in a single day. Red oaks and hickories made a bright splash of color at Phipps’ outdoor garden on Monday.
Some beech leaves were already brown though the leaf veins were still yellow. Beech leaves cling to the smaller trees all winter, becoming paper thin and rattling in the wind.
On Wednesday 17 November four of us drove north hoping for water birds but were disappointed by the lack of bird activity, particularly after the clouds moved in. Colorful leaves were scarce in Crawford County, especially at Conneaut Outlet swamp where high water killed the trees. This scene says “November in western Pennsylvania.”
On 18 November I saw a pigeon feeding two babies at its nest on Filmore Street near the Cathedral of Learning. Yes, nesting in November! Feral rock pigeons (Columba livia) breed year round if there’s enough food — and there is at this pile of birdseed on the corner.
As expected the partial lunar eclipse was obscured by clouds in Pittsburgh at 4am on 19 November. Only a tiny bright uneclipsed sliver is visible. The clouds are lit from below by the city lights.
More leaves fell this week but most of the trees are not yet bare. Here’s a week’s worth of change at Schenley Park, 12 and 19 November.
The leaves are hanging on about two weeks longer than they used to. When will most of the trees be bare in Pittsburgh? Soon.
(photos by Kate St. John)
Thanks Kate for being such an early riser as well as one eager to travel distances to capture scenes of nature and the change of seasons. I enjoy being able to see what’s going on outside all from the comfort of my couch. I look forward to your blog every day.
A lovely and enjoyable report, Kate. Thanks very much.