Sunday, September 27, 2015

Walk in the Woods?

First we saw the movie (not great but OK) and then we got motivated and headed to the same mountains.  Weather held beautifully until our day to go home!




Some of the trees were slowly changing, but only one type.


We did take a few of the trails but walked less than five miles. I wanted to get back early to shower and dress for dinner!



There is something so healthy about crisp mountain fall air!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Brass Band Has Arrived

As I sat at the end of another perfect day chatting with the sun as it shortened our visit and hurried out the door ...


...I thought I heard a familiar sound...


And, yes, it was my old Canadian friends returning to spend the winter... of course, bringing along their brass band.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Autumn Stars

They are Asteraceae and commonly called asters.  These blossoms are the final feeding stations for bees and other pollinators at the very end of fall.  These are the final delicate beauty as we say good bye to summer.  With so many cultivars (180 species) it is difficult to tell the difference between the two major varieties/short and tall.  Some of the short ones are taller and some of the tall ones are shorter!  The names aster means "star" and when looking at the blossoms that are like daisies, one can understand.  One site recommends pinching back 6 to 8 inches by mid-July to maintain good structure.  I have not done this, but will probably need to in the future.  My asters are perennials while some landscape places sell annuals.  Some grow in shade, most in sun, some grow in marshes and others on dry plains, they range in height from nine inches to 6 feet!  Something to please everyone. (They tend to emerge late in early summer, so don't pull them and think they are weeds.)   Below are my asters that are blooming this month.







This last is with filters and some dodging and burning.


More information on asters can be found here:
(https://www.mtcubacenter.org/images/PDFs-and-SWFs/Mt_Cuba_Report-Asters_for_Mid-Atlantic.pdf)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Fabulous Encore

As fall arrives and the sun begins moving to the left across the horizon at the edge of my finger of the river, I begin to see lovelier and sometimes stranger sunsets. Here are two to share. 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Resting in Beauty


The backyard squirrels have discovered the pomegranate tree this year.  The fruit, while beautiful in its waxy red glow, is very sour and not what we would miss.  We grow the tree for the lovely flowers and pretty fruit and do not care that we cannot get any to eat.  Here the chickadee rested one afternoon for a very short time, long enough for me to capture his perky beauty.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Shorter Farewells


The sun moves away looking at my hollow of the earth almost with a sideways glance as if trying to get out the door without being noticed, as if tiring of our conversation and eager to move on to other business, but not wanting to hurt my feelings.   Its rays are more golden and appear warmer when in reality the kiss is a cooler farewell version of our ever evolving relationship.  In reality its visits are shorter, the conversation simpler, and each parting in the evening more bittersweet.  While glances thrown my way are far more romantic and golden, I know that its eye is ready to wander on and to have affairs with others.  I do not own its passion and so I must let it go and wait patiently for its return in time.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Speedy Gonzales

You realize that stereotypes are not useful when a speeding turtle blurs your photography.  I should have put this on 'sports' mode!  Yes, those are watermelon chunks which he/she is ignoring.

 

Saturday, September 05, 2015

Sunshine!

Here are a few of the over 600 photos I took of sunflowers in my yard this summer. Yes, I know, it is a questionable addiction.  But their shape, texture and tones are just perfect for photography.
 

Thursday, September 03, 2015

Color Coordinated


Some days you just have to love the way Mother Nature color-coordinates stuff!

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Hang On

 
The end of summer finds us wondering how we crammed so much activity into such a few months.  It was like we were stuck in 4th gear.  Planting, nurturing, harvesting and then waiting to catch our breath before we sigh in peaceful glee pausing to see if fall is ready to toss us colored confetti as celebration of a summer well spent.  Hanging in there.