We have started to turn colors in the back woods. A very dry month of September disappeared in a day as five or six inches of rain fell on the last day of the month. For the record, a typical month of rain is about four inches.

During a weekend visit over to Thomaston, near the central coast, we found a handsome piliated woodpecker pounding a tree near Marion’s east facing side of the house. After years of missing chances at getting a picture of these impressive birds, I have had two great opportunities in one month.