Naturalist News - November 2010

Here in Philadelphia...

The trees have lost most of their leaves. The beautiful golds, reds and russets colors are blazing against clear deep blue skies. There is a nip in the air. Winter jackets and hats have emerged from their summer slumber. They now are protection against the cold once again.

It is time to quiet down and flow with the season.





Nature Calendar

November  4 – 7, 2010 - Taurids Meteor Shower
November 6 - New moon
November 7 - Samhain
November 7 - Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 13 - First quarter Moon
November 17 - Leonids Meteor Shower
November 21 - Full Moon
November 28 - Last quarter Moon


What to observe right now

Birds - Winter residents begin arriving, last of raptors migrate
Flowers - The last of the goldenrods and asters bloom, dried flower stalks




What to photograph and draw right now

• fall berries
• acorns
• frost on grass and leaves
• mist rising from ponds, lakes and rivers

Photographs

• taking photographs on overcast days heightens the colors
• take photographs while standing in the shade, use cloudy white balance setting
• use the foliage setting on your point-and-shoot camera
• use the landscape mode to take landscape scenes