Sunday, November 10, 2019

NOVEMBER DAYS



The weather has been almost as annoyingly unpredictable as the Asian beetles are. It's frigidly cold one day, mild the next.

I was bombarded with thousands of Asian beetles one mild day last week (see previous post). Then a sudden overnight frost killed them. 
Or so I thought.  

On Saturday morning I was horrified to find hundreds of dead beetles piled up around the doors and windows. They presumably perished from the frost.


Dead beetles everywhere -
lower part of photo is inside the house by the front door,
upper part is on the porch


Sunday was a sunny, mild day and - wouldn't you know - live Asian beetles began appearing everywhere again, but not quite as many as last week. 

The allure of a mild, sunny Sunday made me temporarily forget the damn beetles and inspired me and my El Cheapo camera to wander outside.

Despite the fact that the leaves are shedding quickly, the foliage looks much nicer than it did in October. It was a wonderful afternoon.


I almost never take videos with my El Cheapo digital camera because
1. They quickly drain the battery
and
2. The quality is so POOR that it looks worse than an 1895 Kintoscope experiment by Thomas Edison.

The above clip that I took Sunday is only about 20 seconds. A quick glimpse of my back yard.

Here are some photos.
It was a perfect day for taking pictures - and the best part is I only ventured a few feet from the house.

















 



A strange shadow taking pictures in the forest. I was wearing a cowboy hat, which is the reason my head looks so big.


Note:
I removed my recent piano video simply because it annoyed me (but I appreciated your comments). I will post more piano videos in the near future..  Jon







16 comments:

  1. I love seeing the sun shining through, especially on the leaves. And I am also horrified by those dead bugs. Do you vacuum them up or what? Hope my last comment wasn't offensive! Sometimes my humor is off.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Those dead beetles are really disgusting and they're everywhere. I always sweep them first, then vacuum what's left.
      Your comment on the (deleted) piano post wasn't offensive in the least - in fact it made me smile!

      Delete
  2. In the Fall if I hang faux cobwebs outside... the ladybugs cover them head to toe until you can't see what's underneath them. they are a pain for sure. your trees are beautiful in the afternoon light. looks peaceful and serene there. you take care.

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    Replies
    1. I've seldom seen anything more annoying than those beetles - dead or alive. And I'm surprised at how many survived after the frost. The only solace is the beauty of the forest....
      more frost is expected tonight. Hope your new phone is working out!

      Delete
  3. So glad I'd the courage to keep reading, beyond that carnage! (YIKES!)
    Your close-ups of the foliage are breathtaking. 'Only wish you'd narrated the video; I'd love to hear your voice! (*smile*)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are SO many negatives living in a rural area but the beauty of nature makes up for it. I think (*smile*).
      The video was so short and crappy that I didn't even think about narrating it. Hey, maybe next time....

      Delete
  4. OH....MY....GOD, Jon, that photo of the dead beetles made my skin crawl. YIKES! I can't believe the AMOUNT of them!?!?!

    Enjoyed the video (as well as your beautiful photographs). And yes, we too are getting more colorful foliage this month more than October. But I think it's because of the cold snap we got. I heard something on the news that we might be getting snow sometime this week. I can't wait for the day when I can go outside and make SNOW ANGELS!

    Have a great week, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those damn beetles are almost more annoying dead than they are alive - and I'm surprised that a lot of them survived the frost. We're supposed to get much colder weather the next few days. PERHAPS that will finally obliterate them....
      (cleaning up the dead beetles is an absolute nightmare)

      I'm more than ready to make snow angels!

      Delete
  5. Hey Jon,

    I was able to listen to your piano video twice (before you deleted it), and I will now shout out a very loud and sincere Bravo!! Since I don't get out much, it seemed like a magnificent musical moment for me. And I am most grateful.

    Also, reading your blog every day has given me something to look forward to - I've been stuck in bed with a very nasty and stubborn case of the flu. I'm on the mend, but all the cold and flu meds I'm taking make me feel like a slightly brain damaged invalid. So that's why I have not left you a comment sooner, etc.

    By the way, I love all of your many wonderful clocks! I used to have the Felix the Cat clock (the eyes and tail move), but it was lost during my 2,000 mile escape to the great Pacific Northwest.

    Regarding your battle with the beetles - YIKES! I don't know how you managed to remain sane? I would have completely lost what little is left of my mind. I really do hope that several days of very cold weather will put an end to this nightmare, and you can finally have a little peace in your life...

    All of the red and yellow leaves are stunning. Your "El Cheapo" camera really captured the moment. *Hugs*

    Dylan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Dylan - it's good to hear from you. I'm sorry you've been battling the flu, which can really be physically draining. Bed rest is the very best thing (and perhaps taking vitamins - although they seem to be getting more expensive every time I buy them). At least you sound like you're in good spirits!

      I'm delighted that you enjoyed my (now deleted) piano video. My main reason for removing it was because I thought it rudely interrupted my two blog posts about the Asians beetles. I'll post more piano videos soon - and might even include the Rustle of Spring one again.

      I love living in a rural area - and the beauty of nature is inspiring - but there are SO many problems and inconveniences!! The Asian beetles are extremely persistent this year. I was surprised that the recent frosts didn't kill all of them.

      More cold weather is expected tonight - with the possibility of snow flurries.
      Please take care and keep in touch.

      Delete
  6. I guess the beauty almost makes up for the bugs--LOL! ;)

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    1. If it wasn't for all the annoying bugs and wild animals I'd love it here. Why can't I have a peaceful Bird Cafe like you do??

      Delete
  7. Sorry I'm late. Computer time seemed to be taken up with updating stuff and preventing me from leaving comments. Never mind, I am back now and rushing to read all the comments. As for beetles and bugs, you have my sympathy. Not that sympathy does much good, I think I prefer poison for such invasions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Valerie - I need all the sympathy I can get - - and a little poison wouldn't hurt, either!

      Delete
  8. Seems nothing deters those little buggers, Jon. I have never seen such an invasion and also one that keeps on returning. I just read your most recent post first and while the early cold isn’t welcome maybe it will stop the invasion. November was mighty colorful from your backyard view and your camera did a great job regardless of its price tag😉

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well,Dorothy, the most recent cold weather FINALLY killed the beetles - but now there are thousands of carcasses to clean up!

    ReplyDelete

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