We had visitors, best friends from sunny California who, thankfully, wanted to see and do it all here in our neck of the woods.   And so it was that we went out every day for a week to experience the loveliness first hand.  Of course this meant a lot of pictures!

I want to post them all, but to your relief I will hold back and try to post only the best.  Please take a moment to click each photo for a clearer look at each photograph!

Today I bring you Autumn’s splendor

On a walkway outside Cathedral Caverns

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In front of a natural wall of rain soaked black limestone

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A Young Maple Grove above Huntsville, Alabama

Monte Sano State Park

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A small grouping of Staghorn Sumac* on the side of the road

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The Autumn here is beautiful, but fleeting.  In one week a couple of frosty nights can bring it on in a matter of days, and just as quickly a bit of rain and wind can take it all away!

For us California Ex-pats, it is a stunning vision that we are just not used to seeing.  It saddens us that it is here for such a short time.  Thankfully, the color returns dependably each year, but sometimes, like this year, it is simply stunning!

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*NOTE:  Poison Sumac has composite leaves with smooth edges, whereas the Staghorn Sumac has composite leaves with serrated (toothed) edges.  That said, if you are uncertain about the plant, then by all means be safe and don’t touch it!