Autumn

• Autumn Colours
• Japanese Maple in autumn colours
• The wetland dry after summer
• Much awaited autumn rains
• Eastern Rosella eating Crepe Myrtle berries

Autumn months in Australia are March, April and May

Autumn officially begins 1 March in Australia, but other countries use the autumn equinox in late March as the official beginning of autumn. 

What causes Autumn?

As the earth rotates around the sun the earth's hemspheres change their distance to the sun because of the tilt on the earth's axis. See more information on seasons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuiQvPLWziQ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season.

The equinox occurs when the earth's tilt is about parallel with the sun, this means that the length of day and night are equal, hence the name equinox. After the autumn equinox the southern hemisphere begins to tilt further away from the sun and the sun appears to be moving in the northern part of the sky. As a result of the changes, the length of daylight becomes, shorter days, less by the end of March.

Autumn weather

The first frost might  occur towards the end of autumn as June approaches. 

The cooler day and night temperatures mean that any rain that falls will not evaporate as quickly as during summer.

What is happening?

Vegetation

• The cooler more moist conditions means some plants will put on new growth. 
• Deciduous trees will show signs of closing down for winter, such as the Japanese Maples and Crepe Myrtles.  These trees will loose their leaves, but not until they have put on a beautiful display of colour.

Animals

The animals are preparing for winter in different ways. 

• Migratory birds will begin to move. 
  • Some will head north like the Rainbow Bee-eaters and Sacred Kingfishers where the warmer climate still provides an abundance of insects. 
  • The Currawongs will return to Wagga Wagga from the cooler mountain areas to the east to feast on berries and fruits still clinging to trees and shrubs.
• Insect numbers and variety will begin to decline and animals that rely on them will prepare for winter.
  • Spiders will prepare their winter homes and many will die.  The female Golden Orb spiders will make homes for their egg cases and babies. 
  • Small lizards will be seeking shelter to have a winter sleep.  Their favourite spots are under and between rocks, fallen timber and crevices around sheds and houses. 
  • The frogs will begin to slow down and find areas to shelter for the winter as the days get cooler.  They will continue to breed in early autumn while the temperature remains warm and water is available to lay their eggs in.

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