Seasons

October Imagery and Notes

Posted by Randy Litchfield on

The transition to fall is underway in October, but it seems a bit slower this year with the warmer temperatures. The attention of pollinators shifted from goldenrods to asters, particularly our latest bloomers… the aromatic asters (Raydon’s Favorite, October Skies, and straight species). There is still some butterfly and caterpillar activity. We are on the lookout for caterpillars of the Brown-hooded Owlet Moth which we have seen fairly late on goldenrods. Randy is shifting attention to macro photography of seed heads and such

American Hornbeam tree seeds (the nutlet is surrounded by a three-lobed, leaf-like bract)

Below, there are sections of drone imagery, photos of plants and beds, photos of a few garden visitors, then landscape videos.

Drone Imagery

This photo catches the yard as the trees are hinting at their fall color turn.

Aerial View
Fly over from south to north

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October Photos – Plants

First a shout out to one of our favorites… Riddell’s Goldenrod. It has wonderful foliage structure before it blooms and it is pollinator workhorse when in bloom. Additionally, it has fabulous fall color and interest.

Riddell’s Goldenrod
Riddell’s Goldenrod
Swath of Riddell’s Goldenrod with spent Orange Coneflower and Culver’s Root in front
Crooked Stem Aster
Pokeweed
Winterberry
Large-leaved Aster
Scarlet Sage
Ohio native annual
Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod and New England Aster
Aromatic Aster ‘Radon’s Favorite’
Late Boneset
Blue Wood Aster and Scarlet Sage
Prairie Dropseed and Winterberry
Wild Senna
Arkansas Amsonia
Tal Ironweed and Riddell’s Goldenrod
Thimbleweed
Zigzag Goldenrod

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October Photos – Garden Visitors

A sampling… not comprehensive

Lepidoptera (larva)

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Interrupted Dagger Moth
Dark-spotted Palthis Moth
Polyphemus Moth
Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth

Lepidoptera (adult)

I got really obsessed with Orange Sulfur and Clouded Sulfur photography this month (these are just a few)!

Orange Sulfur Butterflies
Clouded Sulfur Butterfly
Orange Sulfur Butterflies
Clouded Sulfur Butterfly
Orange Sulfur Butterflies
Clouded Sulfur Butterfly
Meadow Fritillary Butterfly
Pearl Crescent Butterfly and Honey Bee
Peck’s Skipper
Common Buckeye Butterfly
Bent-lined Dart Moth

Dragonflies

One of the red Meadowhawk Dragonfly species

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Growing Degree Days

“Growing Degree Days are a measurement of the growth and development of plants and insects during the growing season. Development does not occur at this time unless the temperature is above a minimum threshold value (base temperature). The base temperature varies for different organisms. It is determined through research and experimentation.” (The Ohio State Phenology Calendar glossary page) We did a post on phenology last year. Check out the OSU Phenology Calendar to see what is happening in your area!

Landscape Videos

On October 15, 2025 when these videos were made, the growing degree days here was 3,901. For context, the 20 year GDD average for Delaware on this date is 3,45 and in recent years it has been:

  • 2024: 4,034
  • 2023: 3,480
  • 2022: 3,572
  • 2021: 3,835

Upper Level (10.15.2025)

Swale (10.15.2025)

Southwest Corner (10.15.2025)

Southeast Corner (10.15.2025)

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Videos and photos by Randy Litchfield unless otherwise noted
© Randy Litchfield, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

One Comment Add yours

  1. shinytiger45cb4233cb's avatar shinytiger45cb4233cb says:
    October 22, 2025 at 7:23 pm

    Thank you for sharing. Very beautiful awesome. You’ve done wonderful things

    Reply

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