Summer Ending,a "New/Old Home" and Bird Houses

Balmy summer days are slipping away as the official first day of autumn is on the horizon.  I captured this scene a few days ago while walking through Wingra Park. The park is a half block from our apartment and just across the street.  Trees with their full canopies now obstruct our view of the lake. When the leaves drop, now turning a pale yellow, we will see Lake Wingra from our deck.  

The scene captures the lingering days of summer. The ducks have reclaimed the shoreline, basking in the sunlight. Some look like they are meditating. They hardly gave me a glance as they continued their relaxed posture. A young man sits alone on the dock enjoying a custard from nearby Michael's custard. I saw him as he approached the dock and watched as he sat down. He and I, along with the ducks, shared the solitude of Wingra Park on a lingering summer day. 

 Summer continues to linger across Prospect Gardens as autumn approaches. As I said in my last blog entry, colorful birdhouses now add more beauty to the gardens. Last Sunday, three more were installed, for a total of four located throughout the gardens. 

Nick, pictured here, along with his teenage son, built the birdhouses. Thanks so much for these delightful splashes of color. Hopefully next year, birds will take up residency. A friend shared a picture of one of the houses on Facebook, saying that if she was a bird this is the kind of house she would want. 

 Another house ready and waiting for birds. I doubt the birds realize that these fine homes are in some of Madison's most desirable neighborhoods.  Location! Location! Location!

Here is a third beauty available for immediate occupancy. Note the brown stems from the surrounding day lilies.  Next season this gem will be surrounded by blooming day lilies. 

The human house in the background is a recently totally renovated home plus addition. A few years ago, we watched while the original home was almost totally demolished. Left standing were the floors and two perpendicular walls, facing west and north. That's it.... roof completely gone, as well as the east and south walls. Several neighbors and I would gather and watch as the old home disappeared and the new one emerged. We wondered why the entire original house was not totally demolished.   

The "new/old house" is quite pleasing.  From the front of the house, you can easily recognize the design of the old home built during the 1920s.    

Here is the final birdhouse. All together, the four birdhouses are delightful additions to the gardens. If you are in the Madison area, peddle by on your bike or walk, and check them out.  Also there still are late raspberries to pick and enjoy.

Enjoy these remaining summer days and this season of change and transition.