Late Summer
In the quiet understory, discovery isn't planned—it unfolds to those who learn to look closely.
Finding Our Rhythm
School is getting into a steady, breathing rhythm now. We have spent the last few weeks in orientation, community building, and homemaking. The days have been hot and bright along the trails of Audubon Acres.
Historically, this late-season heat corresponds to the "Dog Days of Summer"—the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, in the constellation Canis Major. Ancient Greeks believed this bright star intensified the heat of the summer sun, while ancient Egyptians saw it as a herald for the Nile to flood. Of course, Sirius does not actually affect the weather on Earth, but it has lent its name to this time of year through the lore passed down to us.
Discoveries along the Trail
Now the Dog Days are over, and meteorological summer is drawing to a close. Though it is still hot enough, September is quietly in the air. Nature continues to offer rich entry points for our daily studies:
Chicken of the Woods: During a morning trek through the mixed hardwoods, sharp young eyes spotted a brilliant flush of gold fanning out from the base of an old oak—a prime specimen of Laetiporus ("Chicken of the Woods"). Our students gathered to examine its sulphur-yellow underside, discuss how fungi break down decaying wood to nourish soil, and sketch its shelf-like growth rings in their field journals.
Leaf-Stamped Butterflies: On our day dedicated to Dolly Parton, the children gathered fallen summer leaves, painted them in brilliant hues, and pressed them onto paper to stamp delicate butterfly wings—a study in symmetry, botanical texture, and creative expression.
Releasing and Looking Ahead
Soon it will be time for our first campfires, and the days will begin to cool. We’ll spend these next few weeks letting go of the old year, saying goodbye to summer, and releasing what holds us back. As September approaches, it’s time to look forward to harvest season and begin watching for autumn changes in the forest.
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