Chapter 10, September, The Moon When the Birds Fly Away Summary and Analysis

The nights start to cool and the Northern Lights come out. Summer is over. Everyone in the forest must prepare for winter. Jim has a head start on his chores, though. The September days are clear, but at night it chills quickly. Beavers release their young and the fawns and yearlings are together while the buck is away. Birds molt and their colors change, as do the leaves. The robins left in late August. Jim notes that one can learn much about the birds from observing their patterns.

In September, it is time to harvest rice out of the rice paddies. The rice is wonderful with duck, and so, Jim notes, the waterfowl are on the way. Hank gets his photographs, watching for them. He...