Signs of Fall Abound

Our weather is showing some cool night time temperatures, but frost is still 2-3 weeks away and there is lots of insect activity and still some late bird migration underway.  Fall fruits are much in evidence, offering immediate snacks and some long term food supply.  One of my favorites is the blue fruit of arrow wood viburnum.  They are small enough for many species to eat and we have so many plants that they last into the fall.  In contract, the winterberry hollies in our marshes are very bright red and seem to be a fruit that is not eaten so early as the viburnums.  Isn't it interesting that such different colors are both so attractive to birds?