Dryocopus pileatus

What a quiet day! I was out for a walk with Mr. Nuthatch and the highlight was being scolded by a pileated woodpecker. They really are fantastic--huge and loud. We're lucky to live in a neighborhood with lots of big trees so that we can spot these guys once in a while. Other than that we enjoyed setting off the touch-me-not (or jewel weed) seed pods, which enjoy a projectile seed dispersal mechanism.

As excited as I am about fall, it is a bit depressing to see things drying up. We need some rain! Come on Ivan. A few leaves are turning, and acorns started hitting our cars about two weeks ago. For the curious I've included a link to a fun page that describes the process by which deciduous leaves change color and eventually fall. Enjoy!