https://vermontalmanac.org/virginia-barlows-calendar/

Today’s science news: The very tips of owl wing feathers turn airflow inward in a complicated way that reduces turbulence and allows for silent flight. A team of aeronautical engineers think that this feature could be used in future wing design to reduce aircraft noise

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The beavers here are hard at it. Their dam isn’t getting much attention but the food supply is and deforestation proceeds apace. Too bad that beavers like black ash way more than buckthorn or barberry.

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The now-leafless trees reveal how much water tree leaves soak up. Puddles don’t dry up at all these days, unlike a couple of months ago.

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A band of low clouds is flying off to the southeast, while the higher ones proceed northwards in a more stately manner. Perhaps the atmosphere is always busy, but it’s not often so visible. Down here, there’s no wind at all.

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The droughty September conditions in Vermont emptied wells and turned goldenrods just about crispy. But, consequently. logging conditions were good and now, a few rains later, loggers are complaining about mud.

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There should be a nip in the air now but instead we bask in temps in the 70s. The comfort of warmth comes with an undercurrent of worry.

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There’s not much to find that’s edible in the woods now. But the woods in early morning are spectacularly beautiful.

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Finally, a rainy day, but a cold rainy day, and as I was fretting about the chilled birds in our yard, a junco dived into a roof run-off puddle to bathe. It looked so happy as it vigorously shook and wiggled. A new perspective, for sure.

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Blueberries are the best looking cultivated thing going. The mix of yellow and red in the leaves is strangely appealing.

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It’s time to forgive blackberries for all the scratches they inflict in the summer. Now their red-purple leaves are the best looking wild thing going.

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