Another advantage to residing in a temperate climate is the bird songs of autumn. They aren't as melodious, perhaps, as in the spring, but they are lovely to hear, nonetheless.

Our bluebirds murmur, actually, rather than sing, but waking up to their sweet conversations on our deck railing makes morning such a joy.

The Carolina Wrens and Purple Finches seem to be having such a good time laughing and joking out there ... they must've had great parties last night!

A bonus lately has been the Great Horned Owl, mournfully calling from the tallest snag in the nearby woods in the middle of the night. When we hear him, we are even almost glad that, because of our age, we are often up at those odd hours.

Life is good.