The colors of autumn are ablaze in our forests of maples, poplars, elms, and oaks. Brilliant red, yellow, and orange painted on every leaf.
The panorama of color is just breathtaking. As the winds rush in, every leaf will fall and eventually drop to the ground. A season of change where cooler temperatures become frigid as winter approaches.
October 1st — Migration Day. One week away. Birds of every feather are gathering to determine whether to stay through winter or to head south to a warmer climate for rest and relaxation. Hundreds of miles for many; and for some, a thousand mile journey.
Here is the dialogue among the flocks as they prepare themselves for their flights to their winter holiday in Florida. Destination Winter Haven.
In lower Ontario, Canadian Joe briefs fellow geese about what they need to do to get ready for next week’s journey to the deep south.
“Eat hearty. Store up fat. In a week, we will fly south. A long flight. Over one thousand miles. Bring ample supplies of grass and seed as snacks.
There won’t be any stopovers at any of the fast-food establishments. As a matter of fact, next week report to McDilly’s parking lot at six a.m. sharp. We will feast on leftover burgers and fries. Then up and away we go.
Our trip will take two days. Five hundred miles to Tallulah Gorge in Georgia. We will stay for the night at the state park there. The next morning we will scavenge the grill areas and trashcans for any morsels of food. Then off we go to sunny Florida. Our home ’til next spring.”
“Attention everyone! As you can feel, there is a cool nip in the air. Twenty-eight degrees expected low for tomorrow morn. Next Wednesday, October 1st, is migration day, we must prepare,” said Niagara Nell.
Niagara Nell goes on to say, “We, as finches, can’t take the cold of winter. It’s more comfortable for us down south.
Wednesday morning, we will gather on the power line at the corner utility pole at American Way and East Falls Street. There, I will do a headcount to make sure everyone is present. Must be on line by six a.m. sharp.
After attendance count, we will swoosh down into Helva’s Kitchen lot for a pancake feast. After our fill, we will flutter up and away. Florida bound.”
Buzzard’s Nest. Hoot n’ Holler, Arkansas. Buzzard Sam says, “Listen up! Next week is migration day. On Wednesday, October 1st, we will leave for a long winter’s vacation in sunny Florida.
Dude and Dudess Buzzards, remember, we buzzards need to stick together. No straying away from the flock. I know how many times of us like to soar alone, but can’t do, we must fly as a flock together.”
Buzzard Sam instructs the birds. “We will meet at six a.m. sharp at the Pizza Shed lot for a quick pizza snack. Then, up and away, we’ll fly in unison to the North Georgia Mountains, five-hundred miles in flight from here.
We will roost in the pines for the night. But we must take turns doing night watch for black bears who stroll in the night forest looking for food. Their favorite bird of prey–buzzard. Us! They do climb trees, so be on the lookout for them.”
“Okay, okay, everyone. Good mornin’. I know we all are excited about our flight to Florida. But it’s still another five-hundred miles in flight. Let’s eat all we can from the trashcans at the picnic shelters.
We must be ready to leave in thirty minutes. Then off we go to Florida. Our vacation home for next five months. Then, in March, we’ll return to our home in the Ozarks of Arkansas.”
“Hey, Buzzard Sam, we goin’ to Daytona Beach?” said Guss speculating about the iteniary. “No, no, too cold. Besides, there’s no spring break in winter.” Again, Gus asked, “Then, where are we going, Sam?”
Sam replied “Winter Haven.” “Where’s that Sam?” “Near Orlando.” “Great! Theme Park City. A stopover there?” “Nope! All the way to Winter Haven for some real rest and relaxation. Maybe we’ll plan a day trip to go ride the killer whales. We’ll see. But we’ve got to get there first.
“We’re near our destination,” said Buzzard Sam as he checks his directional compass. We’re on track to Winter Haven. Everybody ready?”
“Ready, let’s go!” said Buzzard Sam. “Me too, can’t wait to sunbathe with all the babe buzzards at the lake,” said Guss.
“Mama Buzzard Belle retired to Winter Haven a few years back. I’ll give her a ring once we are settled down. She makes a great gator stew,” said Anna Belle Buzzard.
“All right everyone, remember we, us buzzards, must stick together. We do not want anyone of us in a buzzard stew for dinner,” said Buzzard Sam.
Migration Day has come and gone. All birds have left for sunny Florida. They are just about to arrive in Winter Haven.
Complimentary sunglasses for all birds at the welcome station and, of course, samples of Florida orange juice for everyone there. Who can go to Florida and not have juice from the sunshine tree?
Ah, Florida, Winter Haven, our Home Sweet Home! At least for a little while.
Copyright 2026 Frank Clark Short Stories