Fall Wanders with Finnegan: An Evening of Color and Quiet Oct 6, 2025

After a long day of work, nature was calling me. My mind had been scattered in a dozen directions, so I set out on a simple mission: take Finnegan—my little “adventure cat in the making”—for a walk. This wasn’t about chasing the perfect shot or adding to my wildlife archives. It was about movement, fresh air, quieting my busy mind, and finding joy in shared moments on a crisp autumn day.

And what a gift this fall evening turned out to be.

The first thing that greeted us was a burst of fall flowers, their warm colors glowing softly in the late-day light.

Then, the air filled with the hum and flash of three different hummingbirds, darting among the blossoms like tiny winged jewels.

Did You Know? 

Hummingbirds’ wings beat between 50–80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place, fly backwards, and even upside down. Their rapid movements demand huge amounts of energy—they visit hundreds of flowers a day to keep going.

A bunny rabbit hopped out briefly to say hello, its presence adding a touch of whimsy to the scene.

But the real crown of the evening was an unexpected visitor—a juvenile Downy Woodpecker busily working its way along a tree trunk in search of dinner.

Did You Know?

Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America, often no bigger than a sparrow. Their short bills act like precise chisels, allowing them to reach insects tucked away in bark that larger woodpeckers can’t access. Juveniles are especially fun to watch as they’re still perfecting their foraging skills.

Finnegan, of course, took in every sound and scent with wide-eyed wonder.

He padded along confidently, occasionally stopping to give me sassy side-eye whenever I turned the camera toward him—as if to say, “This is my adventure, not your photo shoot.”

In the trees, a handful of European Starlings posed elegantly, their iridescent plumage glinting as they perched. A Northern Flicker made a brief but bold appearance, while small flocks of sparrows or finches flitted energetically through a crab apple tree, their cheerful chirps punctuating the quiet.

As the light softened into gold and the evening air cooled, I paused. I let the crisp air fill my lungs and simply stood still.

It struck me how these small, everyday moments in nature have a way of untangling the knots inside us. There’s no grand performance—just the rhythm of the season, the hum of wings, the gentle rustle of leaves, the curious gaze of a young woodpecker. Being out here with Finnegan reminded me that healing, peace, and joy don’t always arrive in grand gestures. Sometimes, they come quietly, wrapped in fall colors and birdsong.

I walked back feeling lighter. Nature had done its work again.