October | 2025 | Dunngone's Photos and Blog

The lack of new activities this reporting period reflects a change of focus in our lives towards more community engagement and less travel and adventure.

Sadly, on Saturday, October 18, I attended the memorial service for brother-in-law John Hendrickson who passed from this earthly life at the age of 78. He and I married sisters (in my former life). I did get to visit with daughter Jenny briefly before and after the service.

Otherwise, Kay and I played pickleball or golf almost everyday.

I did manage to take a few photos on October 17, 21, and 31. Most notable among the subjects were a Monarch butterfly during early migration and a Great Blue Heron that hangs around the dock almost every morning, seeking fish or small reptiles for a morning meal.

This Monarch was photographed on Friday, October 17, 2025.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was photographed on the morning of October 21, 2025.

And, this Pine Warbler was photographed a few minutes later.

This Carolina Chickadee was just to “cute” to pass up.

As was this Chipping Sparrow.

This skiddish Great Blue Heron visits the shoreline near our house frequently.

The first two weeks of the month were relatively quiet. Most days found me taking photos, and the both of us either playing pickleball, golf, or both. Two notable events were Kay taking a girls trip to Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the two of us playing in the Duffer’s annual member/guest scramble. The Beau Rivage trip resulted in donations to the casino, but overshadowed by a good time with Pam. The Duffer’s scramble was a weird Halloween-themed event with strange rules. Kay and I finished, which was a success in and of itself. Regardless, to say we were and remained blessed is a gross understatement.

I managed to photograph eleven days out of the fifteen of the month. Wednesday, October 1, was the most productive day with several species of butterflies, a dragonfly, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird captured on digital memory.

Butterflies included Fiery Skippers, an Eastern-Tailed Blue, and a Clouded Skipper.

A solitary Blue Dancer dragonfly was also using the pollinator garden.

And the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were stocking up on nectar for their upcoming journey south.

In addition to the usual butterflies and hummingbirds, a Fence Lizard was hunting for prey in the garden later in the week.

Butterflies have all but disappeared. A few birds came around on Sunday, October 5, including a Carolina Chickadee, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a Tufted Titmouse.

Few birds came around on Wednesday, October 8. A Tufted Titmouse and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird were the only ones photographed; however, none are shown here.

The only bird of note photographed on Thursday, October 9 was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Though no photos are posted here, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet was observed on Friday.

The season’s last photographed Ruby-throated Hummingbird was observed on Saturday, October 11.

And even though two Ruby-throated hummingbirds showed up early Sunday morning, October 12, no photos were made. These were the last hummingbirds seen this season. However, a juvenile Blue Jay (having a bad hair day) was photographed later in the day.

A Great Blue Heron was feeding along the shoreline on Monday morning, and it was photographed having breakfast. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was also observed.

The 18th U.S. Hickory Open golf championship was held in early October at Hot Springs Country Club. This tournament annually attracts an international field of golfers who play with antique pre-1935 hickory shafted golf clubs or authentic replica hickory clubs. Most of the golfers dress in period golf clothes, making for an awesome photographic event. Friend Dan and I attended on Saturday, October 4, making several photos.