How Autumn Works

leaf — leaves losing heir color as autumn begins. Photo by Donna L. Long.

I can feel autumn. The subtle changes are speaking to something deep inside me. It lets me know the summer growing season is almost over. I bet you can feel it, too.

The amount of daylight is probably the trigger. Since the Summer Solstice on June 21st, the length of daylight has decreased each day. The nights have grown longer. We can sense this just like plants and animals.

sedum ‘autumn Joy’ in my garden in October

Traditionally among many northern hemisphere indigenous peoples, the days around what we now call, August 1st, was the signal that summer was coming to or at an end. How did the ancestors know when was “August 1st”?. Probably by the alignment of the stars in the sky. Or the timing of the Perseids meteor showers. The Perseids happen every year around August 12th

It is 89 days and 20 hours from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice.

Migrating birds flying at dusk. The Sun has set and darkness is setting in. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [Public domain]

Autumn in the Natural World

Autumn in the Natural World makes complex processes easy to understand, to the wonders of the autumn season. In easy to understand language the essential natural processes of the changing colors of leaves, why trees shed leaves, and how a pond can still freeze and still support life are explained. Learn the key star constellation which signals the end of summer and the growing season. Learn why the moon’s of autumn loom so large in the night sky.

Available in pdf and paperback

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Blog Posts on How Autumn Works

For all the new (and some “old”) subscribers, here are posts on the blog about the phenomena of this strange and wonderful world we live in.

Nature in Autumn: An Overview

Why Do Leaves Change Colors?

Why Do Trees Shed Leaves in the Fall?

Bird Migration Facts

Bird Migration Routes – Do You Live Near One?

Raptor Migration: What You Need to Know

Animal Migration

Seasons: Earth’s Natural Rhythms Explained

Autumn Nature Journal

If you are new to my blog, welcome. You may have questions about Earth’s natural cycles that have already been researched and answered. Just ask in the comments down below and I can find it for you. Or do some research and write a new post.

Or just share your thoughts. Thanks.