The cool has returned in the mornings, here in Seattle, and the leaves are turning. The change in the angle of the sun means there are some crazy blind glares come commute time.

The fledglings that have survived the summer are coming into more mature plumage, and some of the Arctic migrants will soon be arriving. Last weekend, a neighbor in the San Juan islands reported seeing Sandhill Cranes flying south, so high as being almost impossible to see except for their size and the din of their vocalizing, audible even from that height (it was their call that got him to look up and see them).

This time of year I pull out a few items distinct from my Spring gear lineup: a scarf, gloves and rubber boots. I bring the gloves and wear waterproof boots, as this time of year the temperature can fluctuate as much as 40 degrees in a single day,  

The gloves are hand me downs from my elegant sister-in-law Liz, who lives in England and is originally from Philadelphia, so her orientation to outdoor supplies is L.L. Bean versus REI, the latter what a West Coast girll like me would think of first. Where she lives in Yorkshire is similar to the weather in Seattle, but she has since found gloves she prefers to these. They are a pair of classic although now sadly discontinued L.L. Bean "deerskin" lined gloves.

The boots are Le Chameau, and so cozy that I wear them snowshoeing, as well as trekking through mud flats and over logs when birding. I like them because they are lined and have a cinch feature along the side. They fit snug and have thick vibrum soles, so my feet stay warm. This pair is going on 4 years of constant use, and little sign of wear.

The bird guide (not pictured here) remains the same--Sibley's Guide. As does my fedora and binocs. I'll see if I can get a photo soon of some field action, but in the meantime, here's a shot from last year.

You might like more suggestions for gear and clothing for a day of birding: Please visit my Birding Plumage page for more inspiration!

This post was updated on December 6, 2018 to include an Indie Bound affiliate link to the David Allen Sibley bird guide. The other item links are not affiliated with the respective vendors.