Nature Note:Rudbeckia

The woodland is edged with rudbeckia,or black-eyed susans.When they go to seed,these wildflowers will feed the white-throated sparrows who have arrived for the winter,as well as the resident tufted titmice.There is some fall color in the silver maples,red maples and pin oaks,but peak color won't be till next week.The cool,dry air and bright sun ,as well as the yellow rudbeckia,intensify the leaves above the path.

Nature Note:Forest Visitor

A tufted titmouse-no,I am not making that name up-visited the feeder yesterday.It is a forest species.In the winter,it forms mixed flocks with chickadees and nuthatches.The small gray bird with a crest and rather large eyes has been a rare guest to this point,yet with several of the trees maturing,maybe I'll be seeing more of them.They might feel safer now.