Covering Nature Again:Acorn Outlook

Although this blog has lately been concentrating on the maritime forces and military issues generally,it has in the past covered nature as well.Given its vague title,it could really dwell on any topic in the world.Some readers continue to discover and read those old nature posts,so I wanted to produce a new one.
The first days of summer can bring the natural world to the forefront of our senses.The next season is present in small ways even in the present one.
A large pin oak,for example,is promising a bumper crop of acorns for this autumn.There are many tiny acorns on it now.Last year was a rather poor one for acorn production.
That is the way with oak trees.They deprive mast-eating wildlife one year,only to make up for it the next.It's apparently a way of regulating wildlife,adjusting their population,ensuring that there will be plenty of new oaks as well as birds and mammals.
The chrysanthemums under the pin oak are budding already.They will soon start blooming,seizing the first minute decrease in day length.This step toward far-off autumn by the sun will not be noticeable until after the Fourth of July.Pennsylvania fireflies will continue to flash their signals in the late dusk.

Meteorological Winter

December 1 marks the start of meteorological winter.Looking back at the autumn just past,we find that it was warmer than last autumn.According to my gas supplier,it was five degrees warmer on average.This is borne out by plant behavior.A petunia on the deck is still in bloom.A chrysanthemum near it is also still blooming a little.This morning was wintry,however,dawning with a heavy frost.