First frost has yet to visit my zone 6a gardens in south-central Connecticut but it's right around the corner. Usually by Halloween frost has browned now weary-looking tender plants. A few plants continue to bloom – ageratum, mums, a smattering of lavender and a few morning glories – and look best outside. The better looking blossoms came indoors for close-up enjoyment. The last bouquet from my gardens is one of my most treasured, representing a season of gardening toil, a season of memories, a season of bloomin' beauty.

The hydrangea (Endless Summer Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer'), sunflower (Helianthus debilis 'Vanilla Ice'), rose (Knock Out Rosa 'Radyod') and gomphrena (Globe Amaranth Gomphrena) deserve recognition for their long flowering period and ability to withstand less-than-ideal weather … much rain, temperature swings, much rain.

On a totally separate note, our yard continues to be a favorite stopping or strolling through point for local wildlife and more local wildlife. Deer are the most frequent, and increasingly unwelcome, visitors. They've munched and remunched all the unfenced gardens and leave tell-tale piles of poo throughout to prevent any doubt that they had stopped by.

About three weeks ago I found a large, unfamiliar pile of poo in the front yard. (Familiarity with types of poo is one of the pleasures of rural living.) A thorough Google search led me to suspect a black bear had left this gift. A first hand look by a career outdoorsman pretty much confirmed the pile belonged to a black bear.

Headed out for this mornings walk, I flushed a red fox out of it's resting place near our driveway. Later, Red Fox decided to come back for a stroll along the front walk.

Red Fox sat for a spell …

Had a quick scratch …

Then wandered off to hunt.

Hope it had a good, solid meal of vole,mice, mole or chipmunk … other creatures in abundant supply.

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