Hinterland and Rain

I do not live in the wilderness and it could be called Hinterland rarely by some, but it is mostly environmental easement woodlands. A place where the deer and fox can hide until dusk and dawn and then they can sneak about to find food. My deer can munch anywhere but must avoid the highways. My fox has a task that is a little more difficult finding moles, voles, wood mice, etc. The fall rains have started. There has not been true rain, just misty air for days. Like a net of drops, it gently covers everything.

I waited patiently for the hot weather to end and the trade-off is perfect temperatures with lots of moisture.

The waxy leaves of the St. John Wort hold each drop as if it were a precious diamond.  The spider web that swings between the long leaves of my Solomons Seal also captures the crystal pearls of rain.  It has become a slide of drops.

The rose above will not bloom again.  I must cut it back in a few months when the weather is much crueler.  The garden needs tidying, but I am more compelled to take photos and I excuse my procrastination and pretend it is a desire to keep the insect homes safe until even colder weather comes...perhaps until spring.

Autumnal Equinox

Our autumnal equinox was September 23.  I was busy with my grandchildren's visit and the tropical storm and missed it.  I should have lifted a cup of tea to its arrival.  After all, it starts my favorite season.  Rainy and misty and cool and sometimes cold.  No wonder I love those British mysteries out in the middle of nowhere.  Costumes always include a raincoat or an umbrella.

My trees do not worry about costumes.  They usually strip naked for autumn.  They like the cold winter wind slicing against their branches and the freezing showers that wash their bark clean.  What is left is dark arms reaching to the gray sky in a pose like at the end of an exceptional dance.

Number 1,2 and 4 are from my black gum which turns early in the season.