AUTUMN

The Hunter Moon hovers magnificently in the twilight sky.
A lone pipistrelle weaves and dances in the moonlight.
Long shadows cast over the badger foraging in the hedgerows, all bursting with rose hips and blackberries.
And the gang of foxes gather with intent at the top of the high street, ready to search for remnants and claim their street.
A Barn owl hoots before it sets off on its mission. Mice today? Or perhaps a shrew? It thinks!
The smoky log burners glow, filling the atmosphere with its acrid odour. Clinging to everything and anything as it wafts in the night air.
A spider web glistens in the silvery light and the darkness camouflages the expectant arachnid as it patiently awaits its prey. Its legs lightly touching its creation, awaiting that sudden vibration.

Dawn breaks and the mist hugs the hillside and hangs like a soft blanket over the fields and parks.
The chorus is full of merriment as the swifts merge and prepare for their southern adventure.
Tall Beech trees pierce through the fluffy cloud like shards ready to welcome the strong autumn sunshine.
A grey squirrel protects his hoard as he prepares to stock up for winter.
Fungi expose themselves from rotten fissures in the old tree whose memories are etched into its roots and annular rings.
Dying embers from the fires slowly fade into grey lifeless ash.
A dormouse falls into his slumber. He was lucky last night. The owl was content with another rodent. He sleeps blissful! Smiling!

Horse chestnuts relinquish their fruit and they stand over watching the children as they pick up the spiny balls that contain the prize conker. “Think I have a sixer!” One says. “Bit of vinegar will sort that.” Cries another.
A robin watches from nearby. He pecks another fruitful berry from the hawthorn. He is busy today growing!
The days are much shorter now. Light is scarce, but ‘tis the season of colour to brighten our everyday.

Asters and Dahlia spark into bloom.
An orange-dream Acer presents its glorious colours. The yellow veins and copper tipped leaves contrast with the crimson of its cousin.
Hues of olive and mustard envelop the Nerine about to burst forth from its bulbous home. Won’t be too long now!
A leaf falls, floating in the soft wind. Softly! Softly! It lies naked on the floor ready to be trampled on. But it is amongst friends their colours merging in the dank gritty soil.

Crack!! What’s that? Only the rutting stags forking their antlers. “She’s mine!” Cries the stag. “Fight you for it?” Gnarls the other. Heads bowed they engage. Steam bellows from their snouts as the combatants duel. A big audience now. The squirrel encouraging, tail up, and the rabbit cheering, ears up!

The light is fading now. Cold damp night air.
A spider longs for the dry warmth of a home. It scuttles through the crevices and eaks itself around the skirting’s.
A hoard of crane fly attack the windows and doors, like an army seeking entry. Are they blind? Their short existence is futile. Awaken, mate then die!
The lone Pipistrelle appears again. The barn owl hoots and so it begins, another night of surveillance.
The dormouse now rested and alert. Will he be safe tonight?
The Hunter Moon hovers magnificently in the twilight sky…….


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