Fall arrives on the suburban farmlet

November 2, 2013November 2, 201339 Comments

I went out looking for fall color and I finally found it.

: Pin Oak plays gold against a clear blue sky.

: Shadows dance on the rough bark…

: of a scarlet leaved oak.

: Dogwood, though festive, is already budded and prepared for spring.

: Sassafras!

: One of two giant Maples in my backyard.

: Even Poison Ivy is lovely to look upon in Autumn.

Autumn has arrived in North Alabama!

PS: After Thursday night’s terrible wind storm I expected to get up Friday morning and find Fall on the ground! How delightful that Mother Nature saved a bit of it for us after all!

Photo Friday: I couldn’t help myself

November 16, 2012November 17, 201235 Comments

This fall has been particularly lovely. I can’t tell you if it is only my perception of the season, or if in fact it is truly better this year, but I find that I can’t help but add just one more view…

I stand looking out my window and see that the rain has washed away the dust from the far-reaching windstorms generated in Hurricane Sandy’s fury. This wet and overcast view enriches the fall color. It is an enigma to me that with all the rich, warming, color of the season, I should have to bundle up to go outside, but I want an unfiltered view for my portrait.

Thus bundled and standing on the front porch I set up my camera and try to capture that warmth, saving it for this winter when it will be truly frigid and seemingly bereft of life.

Finding what I’m looking for, I capture the moment.

CLICK…

I study the treeline trying to decide on another suitable view, when suddenly the cloud cover breaks allowing a single shaft of light to fall in the center of the trees.

There in the middle of all this loveliness burns the heart of fall, and I think to myself,

“This will do.”

NOTE: Today’s images are best viewed full size. Please click the photos for best color and clarity.

~*~

UPDATE: For those who can’t get enough fall color you can find plenty more from all over the US on Growing the Home Garden’s website ~ www.growingthehomegarden.com/2012/09/the-fall-color-project-2012.html

Fall revisited, and a bit more on Winged Sumac

November 7, 2012November 8, 201233 Comments

First let me demystify the Winged part of Winged Sumac.

Winged Sumac gets its name from the “wings” that grow along the shaft of its composite leaf.

Here in the closeup is one composite leaf. For those who may not know, a composite leaf is made up of several leaflets attached to a central stem. In this young specimen the stem is attached to the main stalk of the plant.