1 Francesca, I could look at shag bark hickory trees all day, but I see another type of tree across the way that is one of our absolute favorites!

2 This tree is a Cornus, or better known as a Dogwood! Do you remember how pretty they look in the spring with their showy bracts of pink, salmon, and white flowers?

3 Yes, Sharkey - I certainly remember the lovely dogwood tree, but look at these vibrant berries it produces in the autumn!

4 And don't you love how the leaves turn bronzy before dropping for the winter?

5 You know, Franny, I think I like the spring flowers better than the fall fruit. These bright red berries remind me of Christmas.

6 Sharkey, I wouldn't recommend eating these berries, but the Kousa variety of dogwood, produces berries that are edible. They are said to be sweet and delicious and some people even use them for making wine!

7 Sharkey, let's go check out these other nuts over here.

8 Franny, I remember these from last year. They are from that bushy Aesculus glabra, better known as the buckeye tree.

9 It's called a buckeye because its fruit has a light colored spot, making it look like an eyeball. Each of these hanging capsules have one to three seeds in them that resemble nuts.

10 They are the state tree of Ohio. In fact, during the holidays in Ohio, a popular treat is a ball of peanut butter dipped in chocolate, which resembles the buckeye fruit.

11 Here's one that popped out of its shell. It will eventually turn a darker shade of brown, looking a lot like a horse chestnut.

1 Sharkey, the rain has finally let up and it's a beautiful day on the farm for a change! Let's play in this grove of trees!

2 Franny, did you know that this tree is Carya ovata, or more commonly called the shagbark hickory? Shagbarks can live for about 200 to 300 years....and that's a long time!

3 The shagbark is the most common type of hickory tree in eastern United States and also one of the fastest growing—they can grow more than 100-feet tall! The wood makes great ax handles and baseball bats.

4 It's obvious why it's called shagbark—just look at these large, shaggy pieces of bark hanging from the trunk, Franny!

5 And look at all of these nuts on the ground, Sharkey! It looks like a bumper crop this year, providing lots of winter sustenance for our woodland friends!

6 Hickory nuts begin to drop from their branches in late summer. And all of that wind and rain we've had lately has encouraged the nuts to drop in torrents!

7 Franny, these nuts are not only a food source for animals, but for people, as well! The shagbark variety of hickory nuts are sought for their sweet flavor, but aren't practical for commercial use because of their small size.

8 You can't really find these nuts in stores the way you can pecans or walnuts, because of the difficulties in shelling them in large quantities. It takes about 100 nuts to make a pound of nut meats.

9 Franny, what do you suppose is making this nice little pile of nuts? They've all been removed from their thick outer husks and left here just so!

10 Why, Sharkey! I'm getting a strong whiff of squirrel!!! This must be where they're piling them before taking the nuts to their winter cache.

11 Francesca, this is brilliant! Let's just back off a bit and wait for that cute little squirrel to return. Hickory nuts are also useful for squirrel chasers!!!

1 The sunlight, trickling in through the trees, the bright colored leaves on the ground—what a beautiful autumn day in the forest, Sharkey!

2 It sure is, Franny! Let's go on a nature walk and see if we can find anything interesting!

3 There are so many new smells when the seasons change, Franny. And look, I think I spotted some more puffballs!

4 These aren't giant puffballs, they're just ordinary little ones. Their spores puff out of them when something causes the outer covering to break open, but I don't think they're ready to puff just yet.

5 Sharkey! Come and see this cluster of mushrooms growing in the woodland!

6 These mushrooms are called sulphur tufts and they grow in clusters on hardwood or conifer logs or stumps and sometimes in grass from buried wood during autumn months. There must be a log buried here.

7 Francesca, the mushroom field guide states that the Sulphur Tuft is bitter and poisonous and that consuming it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even convulsions. Look, but do not taste!

8 I don't see anymore mushrooms, but that pile of leaves looks like it needs to be played in!

9 Don't you love the way fall leaves crunch underneath your paws, Sharkey? Wait a minute, look over there! I spy...

10 ...our friends, the wild turkeys! Let's go say hi!

11 Wait, where are you going? Franny and I just want to say hi! I thought we were friends?!

12 Sheesh, Franny! I wonder what's ruffling their feathers?

1 Even though the season is growing colder, there are still lots of lovely flowers blooming at the farm. These are anemone, a favorite among gardeners, as they bloom several times during the season.

2 Oh look, Sharkey! Anemones are growing by the greenhouse as well, and these are a lovely shade of pink.

3 They are a great flower for cutting as they can last up to nine days in a vase if they are cut right before the blossom opens! Of course, you must also change the water in the vase daily.

4 Speaking of cut flowers, why don't we check out the cutting garden and see what else is blooming?

5 Sharkey! Where did you disappear to?

6 I'm in here, Franny! Look at all of these blossoms!

7 Oh, I know what these are! They're zinnias! I remember them because they have such brightly pigmented petals. They make festive autumn arrangements.

8 They aren't the most fragrant flowers but I'm picking up a little whiff of something.

9 I love this shade of fuchsia! It's so bright and cheery on an overcast day like today. Hey Sharkey, take a look at this one over here!

10 That is one giant bee going about its business of collecting nectar and picking up pollen. Don't disturb it!

11 Sorry, Franny, I got distracted by these velvety lamb's ears.

12 Lamb's ears are grown more for the texture and color of its foliage than for its bloom Why, if they were my color, they would look just like my ears!

13 And look at this pink sedum called Autumn Joy. These flowers add a lot of color to the late summer and fall garden. Hey! I have an idea. Let's get some clippers and cut some blossoms to make a mixed arrangement for Martha!

1 Ryan was going to Hardscrabble Farms in North Salem, NY and we, Frenchies, tagged along. They are a 40-acre nursery and offer a large selection of evergreens, shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees, shrubs, and many other great plants.

2 Wow, Sharkey, look at this place! Do you remember coming here with Martha? She loves shopping at Hardscrabble!

3 While Ryan is making his selections, let's see what we can find that will look good at the farm.

4 What about this one, Sharkey? It's called a Pinus Wallichiana Zebrina. Zebrina sounds like zebra, which is pretty apt since the needles on this pine tree have a variegated pattern on them, almost like zebra stripes! Martha will love it!

5 Here's another variegated plant, the Buxus Variegota, or variegated boxwood shrub. These are evergreens that are often used for topiary. Let's take one and start snipping away. Let's turn it into a Frenchie!

6 This Pieris Compacta is interesting looking! While this plant is very versatile and can grow in sun or shade, it is a very slow-growing plant and I think I'm too impatient for that! Besides, I'm not fond of its flower.

7 Trees and shrubs are okay, I guess, but aren't there any flowers here?

8 Well yes, Francesca. However, it's a little late in the season for flowering shrubs. But, here's one that's a personal favorite of mine. I just love Hydrangeas!

9 Did you know that the color of hydrangeas is determined by what's in the soil? Acidic soil make them blue, neutral soil turns the petals an off-white color, and alkaline soil makes the this beautiful lilac or pink color.

10 Now, let's head to the office to settle up.

11 Oh, Franny! It looks like Martha was here the other day and already made her selections! It's all paid for and besides, we didn't bring any money. Oh well, I guess Martha's stuff is being loaded on the truck! Let's find Ryan.

1 It's starting to get a bit nippy, Franny, which means that autumn is approaching. We're going to have to break out the sweaters and coats soon!

2 What do you suppose that purple thing is peeking out from behind these ferns!

3 Look, Franny, fall crocus flowers are blooming and it isn't even autumn yet!

4 Actually, Sharkey, those aren't crocus flowers. Look at these that are opened up a bit more.

5 While these flowers, which look a lot like crocus, and are often called fall crocuses, are actually Colchicum and are part of the lily family.

6 This specific type is called the Lilac Wonder. Once these bulbs are planted, they bloom every autumn.

7 The Lilac Wonder is very popular due to the fact that it is very free-flowering, which means that each stem produces many flowers.

8 Oh, now I see the difference! Crocuses have shorter, rounder petals, unlike colchicum, which have longer, pointier petals. They do bear a resemblance to a lily!

9 Thanks for teaching me the difference, Franny. Boy, my face would be red if I incorrectly identified it! I have a reputation to uphold!

1 Sharkey! Come here! I've discovered something amazing!

2 We've seen big, round, white things like this before!

3 It looks just like one of the large, round, cement finials adorning the stone wall!

4 Franny, don't you remember? It's a type of mushroom called a puffball.

5 Puffballs begin growing in late summer and throughout the fall. They grow in soil and on decaying wood.

6 It's so strange, Sharkey. I've never seen one growing here before. As I recall, puffballs are an edible fungi, but how does one eat something so big? Do you butcher it up like a side of beef?

7 Let's see if we can find any other early puffballs around the property, Sharkey! Shaun said they tend to grow behind the shed over here!

8 He's right! Here's little one! Compared to the other, this one is so cute!

9 Did you know that puffballs can range in size and color? This type is white when it is young.

10 But, as puffballs age, they turn brown and the insides begin to get dry and powdery.

11 This puffball has definitely matured. It's brown and is broken open. The powdery spores release into the air with every touch or wind gust.

12 Ah-choo! One can see why these things are called puffballs!

1 Wow, look at all of these pumpkins! It's definitely getting to be autumn, isn't it, Franny?

2 It sure is, Sharkey. And what better place to find pumpkins of all sizes than Krupski Farms in Peconic, NY! That ferry boat ride took us to the beautiful farms of the North Fork.

3 It seems like they have every kind of pumpkin you can possibly imagine, from teeny tiny ones, like these Jack-B-Little...

4 ...to a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Along with pumpkins, there are many types of gourds and squash grown here.

5 This type of squash is called Turks Turban. It's colorful and very decorative, but it's also quite tasty with a dry and nutty flavor!

6 Sharkey, I'm told that these wart-covered gourds and pumpkins are no accident. They're called Super Freak and they've actually been bred for this unique appearance. If they can do this to pumpkins, can they do this to Frenchies? E-gad!

7 I think Martha is inside buying some of Krupski's famous sweet white corn.

8 In addition to pumpkins and corn, they also sell their own freshly harvested fruits and vegetables at their stand.

9 So, Franny, while Martha shops, maybe we should go and explore out back.

10 Every October on weekends, Krupski opens their Haunted Corn Maze! Too bad it's still September. Maybe we should come back.

11 I don't know, Sharkey. That scarecrow looks kind of creepy! The corn maze has got to be scary with guys like that lurking about!

12 All right, then. Why don't we pick out a great pumpkin to take home. Franny, let's ask that lady over there for some help!

13 Excuse me, ma'am, but can you help us pick out a big round pumpkin? Hey, wait a minute, she's a witch! But she is pointing to a big round pumpkin right over there.

14 Franny, I think that witch is playing with our heads! This isn't a real pumpkin! This place is really creeping me out! I think we need less tricking and more treats! Uncle Carlos! Where are you?

1 Yawn, what a nice nap. Say, are we there yet?

2 Hey, I'm confused! The car isn't running, but we're still moving. Franny, what's going on?!

3 Silly Sharkey! You're finally awake. Come on out of the car and enjoy the view with me!

4 We're on the South Ferry! This ferry moves passengers and their cars from Sag Harbor to Shelter Island! Then you drive through Shelter Island and get on the North Ferry, which takes you to Greenport.

5 These ferries save a lot of time and aggravation when you want to get from the South Fork of Long Island to the North Fork. You know how that Hamptons' traffic is - why it's just dreadful!

6 It sure it, Franny. This is a much nicer way to travel. You get the salt air, the nice breeze, and wonderful water views. Wait, wasn't G.K. napping in the car with me? Where did he go? He didn't fall overboard, did he?

7 Of course not, silly! He's in very good hands with Uncle Carlos!

8 Hmm, that sign over there says 'Crew Only' - You wait here, Sharkey. I have an idea.

9 I'm sure the crew won't mind if I join them for this trip. I know my way around a boat and I make an excellent look out dog!

10 Land ho! We're approaching the dock! All passengers return to their vehicles!

11 And everyone, please remember to take all of your personal belongings, such as totes, hats, Chows, and Frenchies!

1 What a beautiful day at the beach in East Hampton! Smell that salt water, Franny! And feel the fresh air in your thick fur, G.K.!

2 You know what would be fun? Let's go on a hunt for seashells!

3 There is always an amazing assortment that washes up on the shore.

4 There sure are a lot of large quahog clamshells, Franny.

5 Well, of course, there are! Clams are bivalves, just like mussels, scallops, oysters - anything with a hinged two part shell. Did you know that there are more than 9,000 species of bivalves?

6 The shell of a bivalve is an exoskeleton, protecting the soft little creatures inside from predators and also from the harsh ocean life.

7 Let's see what else we can find out here.

8 I think I spot something over there...

9 Look, Sharkey! A scallop shell! Did you know that scallops are one of the few bivalves that can swim? They open and close their shells quickly to propel themselves, making it easy to escape from predators!

10 Hey girls, look over here! I found some interesting spiral shaped shells!

11 Good find, G.K.! The conical ones are typically from snails! Snails are not bivalves, but univalves, called gastropods. They're in the same family as their shell-less brother the slug. Horrors!

12 More than two thirds of snail species live underwater. When people eat escargot, they are actually eating the land-dwelling variety. They're usually coked with garlic butter or white wine and are considered a delicacy.

13 Yuck, Franny! I don't know about eating snails...although I guess anything tastes good when cooked in butter and garlic!