September Seasons

Meteorological fall begins on September 1, and Labor Day, the last holiday of summer. Now come the    long shadows of the afternoons, the golden light. the last days of baseball, the last of the tomatoes and zucchinis.  Kids are back in school. It is like a new season.

The September equinox approaches, the start of astronomical fall, on September 22. Days are getting shorter, now.   2 hours, 56 minutes shorter than summer solstice on June 21.

 Because of  our tilted planet, the equinox marks the point at which the sun appears directly overhead at the equator. Day and night are about equal length. You can read more about equinoxes at Space.com.

 

Here, in the Chicago area, there is already a fall like feeling. Bring out the old favorite hoodies and sweaters again. Cool, crisp mornings and blankets at night. 

 

And dark so early now!  The streetlights come on a 6:45 pm.

 There are glorious plumes on the ornamental grasses. Milkweed pods are ripening. Asters and goldenrod are blooming The Halloween candy is out at Walgreens, and there are signs for flu shots and the latest  COVID vaccine.

 

But it is still summer! the last few days have been a season of their own. Sun, blue sky, highs in the mid-70's and low 80's . Beautiful weather!  Hoodies and shorts. A jean jacket over a summer dress. 

 

Maybe thunder and rain tonight!