The trees here in the Okanagan are glowing in the best kind of way with the most intense, fiery reds and oranges.
We’ve had quite a bit of rain and mist over the last couple of days, so these gorgeous trees very impressively puncture the overcast with their colourful abandon.
Happy Thursday.
There are still lots of late bloomers around.
They’re getting lost a bit in the abundant colour show that our trees and bushes are putting on right now, but they are still pretty and lovely to see.
These flowers were in a neighbourhood garden bed, many of which still look appealing despite their seasonal decline.
Happy Wednesday.
The sugar maples are such brilliant colour combinations right now. Enjoying a walk means also enjoying the glow from these trees – a wonderful autumn gift.
There are reds, greens, oranges and yellows on the same tree or a succession of trees – a stunning sight.
They don’t last long, but my, what a show!
Happy Tuesday.
Someone stopped at the year-round duck community next to the creek to drop off some veggies and grain for them.
They were in duck dinner heaven. No scavenging for bugs tonight!
These ducks forage mostly on their own but people will supplement their diet with carrots, peas, cabbage, cooked pasta and quinoa, all of which are good nutritional choices for them. Feeding them bread or crackers really isn’t good for them as they apparently gain weight easily and this affects their ability to walk.
Happy Monday.
Well, more accurately, leaving.
They are everywhere and in huge numbers, swirling and crunching.
I love this colourful ground detritus, a profuse panoply of underfoot leaves that bring a smile in the weather that’s beginning to turn a bit colder now.
It’s a lovely golden, red, orange and yellow mess that’s completely environmentally safe.
But good-bye summer; as we start to experience more invigorating temperatures, we’re looking forward to seeing you again soon.
Red is my favourite colour and I have enjoyed seeing a lot of it over the last month or so. Here’s a selection of favourites.
Have a good weekend.
I recently found a small group of red hydrangeas happily blooming in a protected corner spot next to a public building.
Red hydrangeas are not very common, but this little patch is very colourful. One bloom was a light purple, but all the others were raspberry red. I learned that this is likely a “red cardinal” hydrangea.
The soil in this particular spot must be quite alkaline, as that is what’s needed to bring out this bright shade.
The red and green almost looks a bit winter-seasonal, but I’m glad that in this hemisphere, we’re still enjoying autumn.
Happy Friday.
The honey locust or thorny locust tree is native to North America and in earlier times was an important food source for some indigenous peoples.
The flat bean pods that this tree produces contain a very sweet pulp and the seeds can be used to make flour.
This tree is extremely hardy and will survive droughts, poor soils and even the cold winters of the far north. The wood derived from them is also of good quality and high durability.
It has a mixed history however, as it’s invasive in Australia and has caused significant problems there as they will take over and choke river and creek beds and the open spaces near them.
Its home is North America where it should stay as it’s a good example of why a species works well in one location but not another. Despite problems associated with this tree, it does put on a very pretty autumn show.
Happy Thursday.
There are a mix of beautiful sights right now. Some are quite summery while others are decidedly autumnal.
The ninebark and garden grasses look very fallish, even though ninebark blooms very late in the season. One of the little pink blossom clusters is still visible.
A lovely variegated dahlia – a summery sight.
Dark red chrysanthemums lend an autumnal air.
Last but not least, a summer throwback: these roses are still vibrant and determinedly blooming away along with many others in Penticton’s rose garden.
Happy Wednesday.
The sugar maple trees are stunning right now.
Walking under them is like being enveloped in a softly glowing, gentle dream.
I took these photos during Sunday’s (October 15) evening walk when it was wind-still and fresh, and the world felt like it was taking a breath.
Standing among them and looking up into their reaches conferred a strong sense of our smallness, of the sweep of life and our little bit within it.
Happy Tuesday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 