’Tis the season of autumnal evenings' recall to my annual Cape Newagen happy place. Our sun in making its way back up the Sheepscot, the evening glow time of year for west facing vistas. Bright afternoons bring much appreciated warmth as wood fires puff and chug up cold stone flues. It is my favorite time of year.

At Newagen harbor boats are fewer and activity on the water in general, slower. The pace of summer is gone and our next season underway. But don't let's get ahead of ourselves. We've worked hard to get here. May as well soak it up. Not sure if there is such as things as a “long fall.” Hope so.

I don't think I'm alone when it comes to noticing the change of season. Have you noticed the frantic squirrels? They have gone completely nuts. Or maybe, I should say, they have gone completely for the nuts. I've never seen anything quite like it. Not many squirrels at Newagen Town dock but on my way to getting there, it’s dodge ball on the roads! There seems to be an extraordinary population and they are all running high octane fuel. Is this a reminder of what might come down the road for winter? Some say the rodent activity is in anticipation of a tough winter. I think the “Farmer's Almanac” supports the speeding squirrels.

Maybe the earlier sunsets alert everything. It’s a free-for-all on the bird feeders too. Our feathered friends are getting downright pushy as they challenge each other for food. The ground feeders are ecstatic. Even the turkeys have joined in as they cruise by the feeders pecking.

Speaking of turkeys and their surprise appearance on area roads — crossing guards please! Just when you think the last bird has gobbled out of the bushes, a whole new bunch emerges. I really don't know why we don't see more of them exploded beside the road. I've certainly dusted off a few! No direct hits so far, I'm happy to say.

Praise be to our glorious sunsets. May they forever remain among us.