Across the pond
beneath where the white stems of three birches diverge
at the point of a promontory next the water
I see two or three small maples
already scarlet.
The first thistle-down
floats on the smooth lake surface
full of reflections . . .
a delicate hint
of the approaching autumn
the ripening year.
Thistle-down descends.
Smooth lake, full of reflections,
the ripening year.
Fine reddish topped grass
is whitened like a thin veil
in this dewy rain.
Birches have sprung up
in close straight rows in the ruts
of the old camp path.
A misty morning followed by a still, cloudy, misty day, through which has fallen a very little rain this forenoon already. September 1, 1854
The elder-berry cyme, held erect, is of very regular form, four principal divisions drooping toward each quarter around an upright central one. Are said to make a good dye. They fill your basket quickly, the cymes are so large and lie up so light. September 1, 1859
We had remarked on the general scarcity and silence of the birds, but when we came to the localities of these fruits, there again we found the berry-eating birds assembled, — young (?) orioles and bluebirds at the elder-berries. September 1, 1859
Now see many birds about E. Hubbard's elder hedge, — bobolinks, kingbirds, pigeon woodpeckers, — and not elsewhere. September 1, 1860
In the sprout-land behind Britton's Camp, I came to a small black cherry full of fruit, and then, for the first time for a long while, I see and hear cherry-birds — their shrill and fine seringo — and the note of robins, which of late are scarce.
We sit near the tree and listen to the now unusual sounds of these birds . . . The cherry-birds and robins seem to know the locality of every wild cherry in the town. You are as sure to find them on them now, as bees and butterflies on the thistles. September 1, 1859
See how artfully the seed of a cherry is placed in order that a bird may be compelled to transport it. September 1, 1860
September 1, 1860: ("Cherries are especially birds' food, and . . . I shall think the birds have the best right to them..")
The autumnal dandelion is a prevailing flower now, but since it shuts up in the afternoon it might not be known as common unless you were out in the morning or in a dark afternoon. Now, at 11 a. m., it makes quite a show, yet at 2 p. m. I do not notice it. September 1, 1859
The Hieracium Canadense is, methinks, the largest and handsomest flower of its genus, large as the fall dandelion; the paniculatum the most delicate. September 1, 1853
Saw a red squirrel cutting off white pine cones. He had strewn the ground with them, as yet untouched, under the tree. September 1, 1853
Green white pine cones are thrown down. An unusual quantity of these have been stripped for some time past, and I see the ground about the bases of the trees strewn with them. September 1, 1859
Now, also, bright-colored fungi of various colors on the swamp floor begin to compete with these fruits. I see a green one. September 1, 1859
We go admiring the pure and delicate tints of fungi on the surface of the damp swamp . . . There are many very beautiful lemon- yellow ones of various forms, some shaped like buttons, some becoming finely scalloped on the edge, some club-shaped and hollow, of the most delicate and rare but decided tints, contrasting well with the decaying leaves about them. There are others also pure white, others a wholesome red, others brown, and some even a light indigo-blue above and beneath and throughout. September 1, 1856
When colors come to be taught in the schools, as they should be, both the prism (or the rainbow) and these fungi should be used by way of illustration, and if the pupil does not learn colors, he may learn fungi, which perhaps is better. September 1, 1856
When colors come to be taught in the schools, as they should be, both the prism (or the rainbow) and these fungi should be used by way of illustration, and if the pupil does not learn colors, he may learn fungi, which perhaps is better. September 1, 1856
Even this rain or mizzling brings down many leaves of elms and willows, etc.,—the first, to notice, since the fall of the birches which began so long ago. September 1, 1854
This is a very warm and serene evening, and the surface of the pond is perfectly smooth except where the skaters dimple it, for at equal intervals they are scattered over its whole extent, and, looking west, they make a fine sparkle in the sun. September 1, 1852
Here and there is a thistle-down floating on its surface, which the fishes dart at, and dimple the water, -- a delicate hint of approaching autumn, when the first thistle-down descends on some smooth lake's surface, full of reflections, in the woods, sign to the fishes of the ripening year. September 1, 1852
Across the pond, beneath where the white stems of three birches diverge, at the point of a promontory next the water, I see two or three small maples already scarlet. September 1, 1852
-- a delicate hint of approaching autumn, when the first thistle-down descends on some smooth lake's surface, full of reflections, in the woods, sign to the fishes of the ripening year. These white faery vessels are annually wafted over the cope of their sky. Bethink thyself, O man, when the first thistle-down is in the air. Buoyantly it floated high in air over hills and fields all day, and now, weighed down with evening dews, perchance, it sinks gently to the surface of the lake. Nothing can stay the thistle-down, but with September winds it unfailingly sets sail. The irresistible revolution of time. It but comes down upon the sea in its ship, and is still perchance wafted to the shore with its delicate sails. The thistle-down is in the air. Tell me, is thy fruit also there? Dost thou approach maturity? September 1, 1852
*****
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Seen from a Hillside
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Water-bug (Gyrinus) and Skaters (Hydrometridae)
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, The White Pines
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Viburnum lentago (nannyberry)
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Elder-berries
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Blackberries
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, The Blueberries
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Arum Berries
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Solomon's Seal
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Cucumber Root (medeola)
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Thistles
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Hawkweeds (hieracium)
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, St. Johns-wort (Hypericum)
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Autumnal Dandelion
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Chipping Sparrow
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, The Cherry-bird (cedar waxwing)
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Eastern Kingbird
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Young Birdsv
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, September
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Serene as the Sky
September 1, 2019
If you make the least correct
observation of nature this year,
you will have occasion to repeat it
with illustrations the next,
and the season and life itself is prolonged.
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, September 1
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau"A book, each page written in its own season,out-of-doors, in its own locality.”~edited, assembled and rewritten by zphx © 2009-2021
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