good-bye September

As we say good-bye to the month of September, we are not saying good-bye yet to the beautiful autumn colours.  The leaves are in the midst of transitioning with some already lying on the ground. It was an usually warm, dry September this year.  In fact, Calgary experienced the driest September in history.  Another thing about the end of September is the sun sets early and rises late. For me, that means I am up savouring my morning coffee while it is still dark out.  

Yesterday morning the temperature was warm, there was no wind, I decided to sit outside in my pjs, slippers and a jacket, to sip my coffee. While sipping, I watched the stars in the sky when I saw a familiar sight begin to develop. The Aurora Borealis appeared and danced across the sky!  Saying good-bye to September with such a sweet sight! Sigh!

Seeing the Aurora Borealis as I started my day was an amazing experience.  I was ready to see more beautiful shades of September so hiked up on Nose Hill.  The sun was now up and the temperature even warmed up more. The colours were there right from the get go.

The recognizable song of the Blue Jay filled the hills.  I aimed to where the song was coming from.  Seeing the bright blue was an added bonus to all the yellows, golds and oranges.  I also saw a Townsend’s Solitaire, many Northern Flickers, a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and of course Crows and Magpies.

This is today’s panorama view.  

During a not so dry September, the pond would not be so shallow.  

One more water colour project needed to be painted before I close the book on September.  The Blue Jay came to mind as did of course the gorgeous colours of leaves.  I thought about how fawns loose their spots at this time of year.  The hills are alive in so many ways and this painting portrays that! I have been enjoying doing two page spreads.

Good-bye September!