And as the schools return, the rain that has abandoned this summer is still markedly absent. Browner and drier is the Parkland which has taken on a Serengeti appearance before a deluge. Deer appear as antelope shapes, occasionally popping up their heads to sniff out the approaching disturbance to their grazing - no big game here however.Butterflies - speckled wood, gatekeeper and meadow brown - are still in number as they flit before your feet, landing and allowing a photograph as their wings are spread.
The trees are just on the edge of turning their leaves from green. The sunshine is still bright and warm but shadows indicate the increasing cloud cover. The trees appear sculptural as the morning and afternoon sun, being increasingly lateral, cause deeper shadows amongst the branches.
The absence of rain has dried up Keeper's pond which has become no more than a small mudflat. The resident mallard have moved on. They could have joined the annual introduced influx of the ducks on the Serpentine. If they have, it may well be a short stay once the guns are brought in for sport.
The water at Walker's Pond must have been so low that the owners of the area have had the pond cleared of silt, roots and dead trees. Heavy plant has been used for the job but with little disturbance to the foot path below the eastern parkland.
And to continue a pond theme of the month - odd, given the dry nature of the two so far - Lady Lucy's Pond, smaller than the others and less open, has provided a rather beautiful display of willow herb spikes and reed mace. Against the dry and browning landscape, here is a cool and vibrant green palette. More of spring than autumn, it is a restful and hidden corner of the parkland.
