Oh, it was a sad start to the day! I went out to feed the birds and found a dead bird on the porch. I guess it hit the window. Most upsetting is that it is a bird I do not recognize. It would be sad, whatever kind of bird, say a goldfinch, but when they are numerous, it is more bearable. I wonder if this is an American Pipit?? I have no idea. But it is certainly a rare bird around here. Possibly, it was migrating south, and sadly, met its end on our porch.
As I found it 
Turned over for identification
On a happier note, the horses were pleased to get out, and were beautiful in the morning light. Oisin has managed to lose all three fly masks, but they were all accounted for by the end of the day.
Every morning, after our breakfast, the dogs tumble out with great excitement. Cedar and Nettie rush to the barn and shed to search for cat food. Every once in a while, I forget to close the tack room, and they hit the jackpot. So, every day they gallop across the lawn with high hopes. Weedy heads out on an adventure, and Mistletoe wanders around and ends up at the bottom of the porch steps, where she yaps. Every day, she yaps until we come out, and pick her up, and carry her up the steps. We are happy to do her bidding.
Marianne was here this morning for barn work, and she always brings smiles and interesting conversation.
Nathaniel came to do the final mowing today. Surely this is the end of the grass growing for 2020. I will certainly not be sad to turn the page on this year, though there is plenty left to get through yet.
The autumn colors are more lovely by the day, despite the dry weather. I expect they won’t last long, though. Leaves are falling fast.
Burning bush on fire 
View from the barn 
View from the house 
Crabapples on the weeping crab tree
Weedy returned from his adventure and kept Harry company out in the studio. With the nice weather, the door could be left open and he lounged outside to keep an eye on things.
Loyal studio dog outside the studio 
Sculptor in the studio
I love to try for pictures of birds in flight, but I am not very good at it. I missed a good shot of a dove today.
Cardinal 
Social distancing dove and carinal 
“Too close”, said the dove, but I was too late – drat!
Finally, horses in the autumn afternoon light.
Stay safe, stay well, wear your mask, wash your hands.
I’m reading this on 10/10 2020! Surely that’s a good omen, although quoting Queen Elizabeth, this has been an “ANNUS HORRIBILIS”. Hopefully things will get better.