The October Flock

This is the very picture of autumn settling in. The geese are fattening up for the colder months, the vibrant green of the reeds has given way to the brittle brown of decay, and the water has a cool, steely look under the overcast sky. There's a certain melancholy beauty to this time of year, a sense of the world quietly preparing for the long rest of winter. This flock, with its momentary burst of energy, feels like a final, joyful celebration before the deep quiet descends.