We know the season in our bones. In the days around Thanksgiving the wind stripped down those few leaves that were left as a valiant but futile rear-guard on the gray branches of trees, and winter coats are coming out to stay. Beaches are lonely and wind-pierced places.

Now the Island community moves toward the season of holidays and our first appointment is with today's Thanksgiving.

At this time of year, tree branches are arching across the street and their boughs are touching each other in friendly farewell.

Autumn is surely a favorite season for Vineyard walking. The golds in the woods are gleaming, the reds are extravagantly bold, the huckleberry bushes and cranberry bogs are crimson. Poison ivy is at its shimmering best and sumac, if one finds it, is a deep, rich red.

Newborn calves learning to walk while grazing in the fields with mama, heritage turkeys heading to the feed trough, and Canada geese honking overhead — it was a picturesque fall day at Katama Farm.

Gusty wind, pelting rain, gray clouds and breaks of sun were all in the weather picture Monday.

October is the peak migration season, as birds fly south on clear, cool, and calm nights.