Autumn Walk at Brigham Farm (photo heavy)

Things have changed quite a bit on our walk at Bridgham Farm and along side Turner Reservoir. Autumn has arrived, but the leaves are only just starting to turn in our area.

The farmer who has rights to the field got a great crop of hay for his silo, for winter feeding, in July. I missed taking photos (sorry!) as he did it in the 102 degree heat wave; I was NOT out there, walking around he heee.

We’ve had the hottest summer on record, and it has been very dry. The grasses just aren’t growing, so he has started cutting for his second crop this week. It is barely 8 inches high, no where near the 5 foot tall harvest he had previously.
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We met some folks ending their walk, just as we were starting out. Tasha gets SO excited when she spots a “friend,” she dashes up to the dog, does play bows, tries to get them chasing her, runs back to me to tell me all about it, ha haa.
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There are 2 areas where the farmer planted butternut squash. Time to harvest those, as well.
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First they went through the fields and got all the squash together. I didn’t see this happen, so I don’t know if it was done by hand or with a machine.
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It has been so dry some of the squash just didn’t grow.
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Checking out the intersection in the paths, as many dogs see fit to leave “p-mail” there. Lacey.
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Lacey and Tasha.
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Stand by, more photos coming.

Willy also enjoys going for this walk, even though he has to remain on leash. I connect 2 so he has about 12 feet of leeway. Willy has to be on lead because 1. them’s the rules from Small Paws Rescue; and 2. even if he weren’t a foster, he has no training and hence NO RECALL!
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One leaf has turned.
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Heading through the wooded area. Willy.
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Turner Reservoir is fed by the Ten Mile River, and there is quite a chain of waterways. The Reservoir was filled with fish for the past few years, and as part of the project, “fish ladders” are also being installed. Fish swim up stream to spawn, then down stream for feeding for the summer, then back up again. Time to install some more ladders, so they have lowered the water level while they are working up stream. This sand bar has appeared with the lowering of the water level.
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Where the water used to come up to the edge, we now have about 10 feet of mud flats out to the water’s edge. And yuck, it stinks!
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Lacey.
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Still more pictures to share.

You “could” walk out to the island where the swans had their nests earlier in the Spring. Of course, having knee high waders for the mud would be a good idea.
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Lacey.
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Due to the hot dry season, we have quite the algae bloom in the Reservoir and surrounding waterways. More than 5 had warnings issued, as the blue-green algae is toxic to humans and pets alike. The warning notices advised keeping dogs out of the water; prior to that, many folks allowed their dogs in for a swim. So I didn’t allow the flock to go investigate the mud flats for several reasons, lol.
From left: Tasha, Lacey, Willy.
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More views out to the “former” island.
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We were out about 6 PM, so the sun was setting. Our side of the water was in shadow, the sun was illuminating the far side.
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Smells from the pond floor are quite attractive to fluffs! Lacey.
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I have more photos to put up, just a moment.

Cormorant airing out.
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Many rocks are now visible.
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Swans
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No water is flowing over the dam.
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Crews have been along the edge, removing all the trash people see fit to dump. These tires were just 2 of many, many tires pulled out for removal. Also soft drink cups were in piles as well. Tasha, Marlin on left, Lacey near tires.
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Where the water came up to the rocks, there is now a ledge.
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Which gave off more wonderful smells. Marlin and Willy.
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Looking back, another view of the 2 swans and the cormorant.
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Most of the swans had gathered on the far side in the sunshine.
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More photos on the way.

Quite a drop off, which is normally underwater.
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The Canadian Geese started their migration south at the beginning of the month. There is no green goose poop left to roll in, much to the dismay of the fluffs. YIPPEE!!
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No waterfall as the water level is way down.
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This shot shows the Marker to keep track of the water level.

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Searching for scents. Sugar in front. Willy left. Lacey right.
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Tasha found something GOOD! From front curving around to left: Marlin, Sugar, Lacey.
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Photos to load, just a moment.

Of course, the whole flock had to investigate! From left; Willy, Tasha, Sugar, Marlin. Lacey in rear.
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More scenes of the lowered water at the edge.
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“The water “should” be quite close to the top of this wall! Where did it go?” – Lacey
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So of course, everyone had to check the wall. From left, Marlin, Willy, Lacey.
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Sugar gave me a smile, lol. That is Marlin on the right.
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From left: Willy, Marlin, Lacey, Tasha, Sugar.
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This tree had colorful leaves, and berries for the birds to feed on.
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Front to back: Lacey, Sugar, Marlin.
As we walk back through the field, they all fall in line behind the leader.
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That’s all!

Such a pretty walk. :) You're lucky to have it. :) The pups look like they really enjoy it. "P" Mail haha :)

Hi, Fluffs! Thank you for letting me join you on your autumn walk! I enjoyed it very much!! :D

What a wonderful walk. They all look so happy to be there. Thanks for sharing your beautiful countryside.

What a wonderful walk for the fluffs! It looks like a good time was had by all(including the human I hope:p) Thank you for sharing the pictures with us all!

Thank you for all the lovely comments. Yes, I do enjoy a walk with Nature, and this is a walk all of us do enjoy. It is easier for me as 4 of them can run loose, so I am not constantly dealing with tangled leashes. I get to enjoy the area as well.

Willy cannot be off leash for 2 reasons: 1. them's the rules from the Rescue, he is still a foster dog; and 2. even if he were mine, he has no training and NO RECALL. I am working with him on this and other commands, and have him enrolled in obedience classes starting next week.

Hello, I enjoyed looking at your autumn photos. I live in central NC and it is dry here too. Our pond is getting lower every day and because it has been so dry I dont think the leaves will be very pretty. Here are some photos. The tree was taken 2-3 weeks ago and since then most leaves are brown.. I saw the deer yesterday and one photo is my little dog.

Your little dogs are just lovely... so cute.

I've never attached photos before at this site so I hope I do it correctly... and I hope you don't mind my jumping in with photos. Kay in NC 11:40pm 9.25.10

Not a problem, Kay. Was that deer in your yard? Awesome photos! Hello Lil Girl, lol, peeking back over your shoulder.

Hi Freedom, Yes, that was a male deer in the back back backyard in an area away from the house (I used a 12x zoom & then cropped it to get a good pic). I live in the country and the deer was eating persimmons on the ground and reaching up to get more. If he had seen me, smelled me, or heard me, he would have jumped, raised his whitetail, and took off instantly. I really do not see that many deer although I know they are around here. It is not unsual for a deer and a car to collide on the highway.

Earlier when I said the leaves are now brown, I meant the ones in the photo. Most leaves on other types of trees are mostly greenish but some browns have fallen already.

There is a story behind the bluebird pic below. He went nuts seeing himself in mirror on truck. I think he thought it was another bluebird and he "fought" his own image for at least an hour and a half. Bluebirds are very territorial so he was upset. Finally, probably after being tired, he left. Every year I have bluebirds that build a nest (usually 3x in season) and usually have five babies each time.

The geese came to pond one day back in April. We were sitting in swing at the pond and what a pleasant surprise to see them come down for a swim. They went to the end away from us. They left after LilGirl dog scared them by barking barking.

Kay in NC

lucky poochies! my dogs would of loved all the smells and chasing the swans in the lake! LOVE that last pic!

Looks like a nice place and that you and the fluffs had a great day!:D