Autumn Light, Winter Light...

 

“Come, little leaves," said the Wind one day, "Come to the meadows with me and play. Put on your dresses of red and gold; For Summer is past, and the days grow cold.” 

~George Cooper 

 

 

Light is really strange this time of year. A little bit of the waning gold of the Autumn sun, meets the clear white light of Winter in a fantastic hand off. Not only did the light at Yolo Bypass bring me happiness to see it play with the gold still left in the trees, but to my delight there was still some spider silk to be found just about everywhere I looked and the sun played with that too! The spiders from October and November, that flew in big strands across the sky, found a place to land, and has survived the cold and rain. The silk covered Yolo Bypass like spun sugar! And the best part is that under all those strands of silk, live some tiny spiders that will big spiders eventually, and my camera can't wait! Maybe I will meet another Boris one day!

The Art Of Turning Over New Leaves

 

“There is October in every November and there is November in every December! All seasons melted in each other’s life!”

 
~Mehmet Murat ildan

 

In late spring, we begin to see pheasant, quail and turkeys, all over the valley but they are at their loveliest when I see them running through the vineyards and orchards.Their feathers remind me of the rows autumn leaves they're are moving in and out of. I don't even know how many times we have just stopped and watched them! This particular group stays near the vineyards off Franklin blvd, in Galt. It sits about 500 feet from the bridge where I went to observe the Mexican Free-tailed bat, late last summer. The two more than likely have nothing to do with each other, but it's a fun coincidence that there is so much life right there. It's also the area where I spotted a large group of swallows last spring, and the Bullocks orioles in early summer. There is something for everyone right there, and just a few hundred yards up the road from there is the visitors center at the Cosumnes River. And if that isn't enough beauty my new friend, Boris the Spider, built a really nice mansion for himself, just about 3 miles northeast of this spot, although I am afraid he has moved on.

 

As I said a few posts back, I haven't seen him in weeks, all that's left is a few heavy silver strands of spider silk. The cold was probably getting to him, same as it's getting to me. Or maybe a bird swooped him up and had a snack of him. I don't want to ponder the situation too much. I am happy to believe he is merely at his winter home, lazing by the pool, and I will see him again next April, when the earth turns once again to the warmth of spring and summer. Yes, Autumn has sent him off to simply live in the moment among different leaves. Autumn is teaching me to live in the moment as well. I guess I'm turning over a new leaf, and as turning over new leaves go... living in the moment feels a lot healthier than setting rigid expectations and goals for myself. I mean who thought a year ago that not only would I make a spider friend, but would be waiting for summer to come back around so we could visit one another again? Thank you, Autumn!

 

Goodnight, Dear Boris The Spider!

 

“There is so much beauty in autumn and so much wisdom;

 so much separation and so much sorrow!” 

 
~Mehmet Murat ildan 

 

I met, Boris The Spider, just a about a month ago and funny thing, I thought we would be old and dear friends for at least a few more weeks, if not until winter officially begins in December, but I am afraid he has moved on... or perhaps... died. I haven't seen him in a couple weeks. We have strayed into the cold part of autumn, as evidenced by the fresh blankets on my bed, and there is snow in the western Sierra, making it necessary for me to finally put on one of my favorite cardigans.

 

 The weather makes me think its perhaps too cold for dear Boris, or maybe he made a tasty appetizer for one of the new birds that has migrated in over the last couple weeks. Sigh. Either way, he is gone I fear. I am mourning his absence, which is a strange feeling for a girl with a lifelong fear of spiders. All that's left of his once great spider mansion, is a few silky strands that can only be seen when they catch  the warm autumn light just right. And that's not a very good sign either.

 

 So when I saw this silky spider balloon orb the other day, I had to wonder if Boris knew there was a new tenant, or tenants, about to hatch in his blackberry bush? Boris seemed like a good sort, so maybe he wouldn't be too upset that someone chose his blackberry bush to make a home. Hell, maybe he is keen for some company... some companionship. Maybe he ordered tiny spiders, so he could pass on his wisdom to a new generation of creepy crawlers. I sure hope so, Airbnb situations can be tricky things. There is nothing like taking a vacation, only to come home to squatters living in your web!

 

Goodnight, Boris The Spider, thanks for being so nifty!