My four-wheeler didn’t want to start last night so the dogs and I walked up to the middle field to help irrigate. I have to go slow as Fuzzy just can’t walk fast but he does so ever want to come along.
We were taking our time, Fuzzy and I, Boomer was searching out something in the corn field.
To get to the pinto bean field by Misty’s we must go through two corn fields, to get to the pinto bean field where the water is flowing. We need to walk along the bean field by Misty’s and our largest corn field, it’s a walk, but not bad and one I have done more than once.
The evening was starting on, the day had been hot, and Fuzzy and I were taking our time, when I suddenly knew…
a shift has occurred with our time.
Something about the air, the look of the sky, how the plants feel and smell and the soil underfoot–if I didn’t know better I would have thought that this evening, this walk through the crops, was an evening in September.
There was just that sort of feel about it.
I stopped and checked an ear of corn…the kernels are starting to dent…
When I got to the first bean field I noticed that there are yellow bottom leaves showing up everywhere
The weeds even look fallish…
Goldenrod is in full bloom and the rabbit brush is blooming
All the farmers and ranchers around us are saying the same thing…something is afoot…everything is about three weeks early.
Will we have an early freeze? Are we going to have a hard winter?
Who knows only time will tell.
But last night, both Terry and I, felt a subtle shift on farm.
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
I recognize that shift–it is in the light and smells and colors–and sometimes a subtle sadness.I have not yet seen it here, but I am watching.
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How interesting. Hubby pointed out a few plants with changing color yesterday. Although I’m tired of the heat… I’m not ready for snow. If we can have a long glorious fall, I’ll be happy. But, you know, I guess I can’t really custom-order our weather!
I hope we don’t have an early freeze! We got a late start with our garden and I’d like to enjoy it some when we get home.
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I miss having the connection to the land. You can take the girl out of the farm, but can never take the farm out of the girl.
Enjoy the change my friend. Here’s wishing you exactly the sort of winter that will best benefit you and your land.
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I had the same thought two nights ago here…the fireflies are gone, the goldenrod is budding, and the swallows are flocking in the evenings. The seasons are at the tipping point…
That first photo is amazing…
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It is here too..some leaves are falling off the trees and some trees are stressed by the heat and the drought we had earlier in the summer. Here the beans are turning color and it got down to 57 degrees last night..a real treat after all that heat! 🙂
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Felt it this morning, Linda. Something about the taste of the air (wheat harvest) and an underlying chill that hasn’t been there since early June. Even though there are plenty of hot days left I think you’re right about that subtle shift. Looks like that walk was a good one.
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Oh my, Linda. Yesterday morning I could smell Fall in the air. There was nothing else different, it was warm and dusty. This happens every year and I’ve tried to pinpoint what I smell, but haven’t been able to do it. There’s a crispness maybe, or some scent the trees exude that smells more like decline than growth. It usually happens later in August. When I was a kid I remember it happening just before school started. I guess we should start a little earlier this year praying for a good, but safe, winter.
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This post beautifully describes what it is like to live fully in touch with Mother Nature (as you must!).
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That is kind of eery, but it sounds like something very real.
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We were just talking about the same thing here this afternoon! Monarch butterflies everywhere, our goldenrod isn’t quite out most places, but it is nearly in bloom. I just mentioned to the boss that he might want to drag some more firewood down as we will probably need to start the stove…next month~
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LIving in such a symbiotic relationship with nature must be so cool. Every change, no matter how small, is noticed by the farmer. 🙂
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We do too! More so in SD than WY. With starting third cut in Sept we may miss out on some cornstalk baling as that will be earlier than before too. Going to be a mad rush again this year to finish up the season in WY and get equipment hauled to SD to get our fall income rolling.
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That subtle shift shouldn’t be a surprise. Science has been telling us about it for a long time. My arctic experience in the 60’s compared to today is absolutely horrifying. Major ice fields have disappeared. Robins now nest on Banks Island.
Enough said. You will have a warm winter.
I think it’s climate change.
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Very interesting. I was just thinking that it seems like my tomato plants came on so strong, but they don’t look like they’ll last much longer which is unusual. I’ll have to keep my eye out and see what happens here.
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That first photo is awesome, Linda! So beautiful. Have not noticed any change here yet, but I’m way further south than you.
Blessings!
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NOOOOOOO!!!!! Not yet!! Please! SEnd it back. I like the summer- it is my friend! Don’t lock me up in the winter yet!! celi
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We went out last night and could both “smell” fall in the air. Everything seems early here too. That top pic looks somewhat like the northern lights…..only in pink 😉
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Still hot here. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Good luck and have a great Thursday. ♥
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Love your photographs as they depict a scene very similar to here. Yes, we also noticed a subtle shift and an early changing of the colors of the leaves. Our vegetable garden wasn’t as productive this year either?! What’s up with that?
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A most interesting blog and the comments also.
Here in Brisbane, where I have lived since 1981, at this time we would
normally be dressed up like Eskimos due to the southern winds in heavy wind
jackets, beanies of heads, thick clothing. The winds haven’t arrived and we are
all VERY happy. Even the Brisbane “Ekka” Show ( Agricultural) is on – started
today and people were going off in almost beach like clothing! Completely
unbelievable, as this day last year I could hardly walk with all the gear that I
had on when I went to watch the cattle judging. Last summer ( Dec 2011 – Feb 2012)
was not, except for a few days/nights, sauna like.?????
I actually at present just have a T-shirt on whilst writing this! Weird for this time of
year.
It all comes down I think to pollution, we are polluting ourselves into oblivion.
Anyhow I hope sincerely that the crops that have been planted do well for you after
all the hard work.
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane.Australia)
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beautiful photos; it’s starting to feel a bit springy here.. maybe the seasons are shifting?
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This is very interesting! I too am noticeing the difference and so early. Spring came way too early here and I was not expecting fall to also come early. But with the drought and the heat maybe it is time for the change, if only it would bring the rains! But I am not ready to say it is global warming.
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I agree that sometimes there is a subtle sadness. I also have a sadness about winter coming on. I hate seeing it looming just around the corner. SIGH
Linda
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
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Nice!
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