3 November 2024

Last week began with light morning frost but rose to 80°F on Halloween.

The colors were gorgeous at Duck Hollow on Monday …

… while tendrils of fog chased each other across the river.

These wisps were formed at the rivers edge as clear cold air passed over warm water. Sunbeams make this a poor quality video, below, but you can see the wisps starting near shore. (You might also hear a song sparrow chipping in the background.)

Slanting light illuminated the trees at Schenley Park.

A leaf-hidden cocoon reminded me why clearing out leaves is bad for insects. This insect will overwinter on a leaf in Frick Park and emerge as — perhaps — a butterfly or month next spring. Or it may become food for a bird this winter. The insect chain is broken where don’t leave the leaves.