Hello Autumn!

Oh how I love the change of seasons, especially when Autumn arrives. For me, not only is it about the cool crisp air, the change that is on the horizon, the beautiful starry nights and the gorgeous colors (and more) – it’s also because I come alive this time of year in other ways. I feel re-energized and become filled with excitement, renewal, hope and gratitude. I especially look forward to the Hunters Moon – there is just something about that autumn moonlight.

This year we had a lunar event occurring shortly before the equinox. The Harvest Moon in August was not only a supermoon, but also a partial eclipse. Though I missed the eclipse due to cloud cover, I did wake in the early morning hours to see the moon shining brightly from behind a layer of haze amongst the clouds passing by. I couldn’t resist a quick moment with it before it dropped behind the hills.

One constellation I always look for with excitement this time of year is Orion in the morning hours. Each year, the moment I get a chance I head for the observatory and grab a quick one-frame shot of it (usually because I’m half-asleep standing outside in my bathrobe and make a spontaneous choice to nab a shot before downing my first cup of coffee, lol).

It not only has become a tradition for me to welcome the months to come, but it also prompts me to get out there and get everything ready for those long nights under the stars.

But the hot days of summer aren’t over yet. September is the month when I see the widest variety of butterflies stopping in. Though this year the numbers have been fewer, the Lantana plants are in full bloom and are magnets to those that are here or are passing through.

As I watch the last of these beautiful butterflies come through on the tails of summer; I know that with autumn arriving, soon other types of wildlife will be showing up, the stars will glisten, the rains will clear the air and life will start the renewal process on many levels. Life is simply amazing.

Wishing you all the very best ……

Cheryl