Summer's Turned the Corner

Many cultures mark the end of Summer by the Autumnal Equinox, on or around September 21, Some say it's when school starts up again. Others consider that summer is over when the last sheaf of grain is harvested, or by the migration of certain animals. 

Folklore counts Summer's End a bit differently.

The elders used to say that Summer had "Turned the Corner" when certain natural events occurred.

1. Songbirds stopped nesting. The eggs have hatched, the are babies fed and fledged and flown. Outside of my kitchen window, the little brown wren is no longer singing and hopping in and out of her nesting box, bringing dozens of caterpillars and bugs to her offspring. Sure enough, the nest is empty. Although she is still around, the wrenlings are no longer in their little home.

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2. House mice move inside.



3. Certain trees begin to lose their leaves. Here in Michigan the cherry leaves are the first to turn yellow and brown and to fall from the branches.

4. Flowers such as day lillies are done blossoming for the year.

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5. The Apple harvest commences. The photo below is from the tiny orchard in my backyard. Soon there'll be cider pressed in the larger farming operations nearby.

What signs have YOU seen that Summer has turned the corner?