I've really begun to notice the shortening days. I spend all Spring looking forward to more day light, time in the boat, firing up the Weber, getting around the state and camping with the family.... but then start looking forward to fall, shorter days, cooler nights, and all the good that comes with it.
Last week I saw my first family flock of mallards in flight. I'm not sure where the statistics are, but based on observations compared to past years, this was a banner production year for puddlers. Even getting reports of pintails hanging on some of my favorite holes that traditional won't start holding ducks until teal migration starts.
The group of birds I call "black birds" are starting to flock-up. Sweet corn is piling out of the fields. Saw my first Monarch yesterday.... and the first snowblower showed up at my local Ace Hardware.
Early goose is fine, but doesn't compare to ducks for me. I love "bonus" geese when duck hunting, though, but am only a tag-a-long on goose specific outings. I like the quickness of ducks, they bring more surprise. I like water sets better. A lot more uncomfortable, but it's the way I was brought in to duck hunting.
I wish we'd dump the daylight savings time bit, give us more hours at the end of the day. I can never remember which way is standard, but more hours at the end of the day gives a little more light to grill by, and a bit more time to sleep in the morning, and maybe one more shot in a low ball to think about how good it all is.
Damn skippy.