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Splendor of September!

 "As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise." ~ Peggy Toney Horton

Patapsco Valley State Park

September is a special time of year in the northern hemisphere as summer gradually fades and the autumnal equinox arrives, marking the Sun's annual journey. This day, when daylight and nighttime are of near equal length, welcomes the change of seasons.

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit." ~ Henry David Thoreau 

September Autumn Equinox on Monday September 22, 2025 



Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) is a 510-acre preserve located in Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Poetry has the ability to evoke vivid natural imagery that engages all of our senses through carefully selected language, fostering a deeper connection through scenic descriptions. The following poem is a perfect example of this...

by: Helen Hunt Jackson 
(1830-1885)

The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down. 


The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun. 


The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook. 


From dewy lanes at morning
the grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies. 


By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer. 


But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair. 


'Tis a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget. 

Going on a September nature scavenger hunt is a family friendly activity and here are some suggestions to include on your list of things to find:

  • Leaves- Green, Red, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Fallen
  • Pine needles and cones
  • Tree mast- hard and soft- acorns, nuts, crab apples, sweetgum seed balls, persimmons
  • Mushrooms and Fungi
  • A Spider Web
  • Birds
  • Butterflies
  • Caterpillars
  • Wildflowers
  • Milkweed Pods, Floss, and Bugs (black and reddish-orange)
  • Rocks
  • Bark
  • Bees
  • Grasshopper
  • Snail
  • Squirrels
  • Animal tracks
  • A water puddle
  • Listen for wind blowing through the tree
  • Something rough and something smooth
Don't forget to bring a magnifying glass, local field guide, and a camera to take photos of your finds. 

With the end of summer, evening temperatures become cooler, and sunsets arrive earlier. During this time of year in the northern hemisphere, the bright galactic core of the Milky Way is more visible. So, grab your telescopes! September is an ideal month to observe the night sky and witness celestial events such as "Saturn's Opposition," coming September 21, 2025. This event is explained in the following YouTube video by producer and host Deborah Byrd. 

Earth Flies Past Saturn: Rings at Their Brightest

September Moon Phases 

YouTube EarthSky Channel

EarthSky  

September 27th, 2023 Moon

All photos included in this post were taken during nature outings within the Chesapeake Bay region of central and eastern Maryland. Quiet, meditative strolls through woodlands, along bay shores, and through beautifully managed nature preserves brought me great joy. 

"Happily we bask is this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Exploring the World Day-by-Day; Capturing Nature's Wondrous Display! ~Jen

Despite the differences that exist between political, cultural, religious, or national values, we all share the common need for a healthy, clean, sustainable global environment.

All photos were taken in Maryland, USA.
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