Tag Archives: Autumn

nature, Photography

November 14’s Friday Fleurday

48 Comments

Amazingly there are still quite a number of hydrangeas about although most have packed it up for the year and are headed into their seasonal rest.

This “penny mac” hydrangea is definitely still doing well.
These blooms are on the same plant as the bunch above. It’s interesting how some hydrangea blooms will revert to alternate genetic material.
The leaves on this panicle hydrangea are turning yellow but the blooms are still vibrant.
Another pretty penny mac.
This hydrangea is getting ready to rest until spring. Only the tip is still awake!

They will soon be gone but will start returning in early spring. Looking forward to it.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Leaves

25 Comments

There have been lots of leaf pictures around WP as we’ve progressed through autumn. And why not? It’s such a beautiful time of year and many people quite enjoy the colours and cooler temperatures. So herewith are some recent leaf collections.

A leafy park bench.
Honey locust trees.
Bedraggled maple leaves.
A garden bed strewn with colourful cast-offs.

And last but not least, our weather has been rather more wintery than autumny …

A view of a very restless and moody Skaha Lake. I managed to avoid the rain that arrived a bit later.

… so it’s best to enjoy our remaining leaves while we can!

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

Windy and Wet

19 Comments

Over the last couple of days it was intermittently windy and raining.

The gulls were huddling near the shore; it wasn’t a great day for flying.
And although it was very grey, this was offset by some great autumn colours.
Orange, red and yellow leaf litter.
A red lace maple next to a green autumn rhododendron.
A transitioning maple tree.
A view from our deck, pretty nice despite the rain and overcast.
And last but not least, another lace maple with its gorgeous fire engine red fronds.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Okanagan Swans

53 Comments

I had heard that swans will overwinter in the Okanagan Valley but I had never seen them here before, either in the summer or the winter. I was happy to spot this little family a few days ago. They seem to be two parents with their juvenile or cygnet.

All that flying means that they have to do some serious grooming. I can hear their conversation now!

Impatient swan: I’ll guard, you two get cleaned up!

Impatient Swan: Okay, you look clean now. Time to go!

Calm Swan: But darling, we’re swans. You know how important it is for us to maintain our image.

Impatient Swan: Okay, but you two look great. Let’s get going before all those Canada geese arrive. They’re so grumpy and mean and they always travel in gangs.

Calm Swan: Darling, you need a break. You’re the grumpy one, you know. Don’t worry about those geese. After all, they’ll never look as good as us. I’ll take point and you can rest your feathers.

Impatient Swan: Okay, I do feel tired. It’ll be good to rest and settle in for a while. How do I look?

Happy Tuesday!

nature, Photography

November Sunset

33 Comments

The sun starts to go down quite early now. I was out for my regular afternoon ramble and to my surprise – I really shouldn’t have been – saw the sun beginning its sink at 3:22 p.m. Given that we have mountains all around, we are totally dark by about 4:30. My, that really is early!

The sunset felt wintery, too. The thin, veil-like cloud, the slight chill from the wind and the tint of the sunset itself all contributed to that sense.

But it’s November. A little bit of a wait, but I’ll nevertheless soon be counting down to spring!

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

November 8’s Friday Fleurday

33 Comments

Although it’s November we still have quite a variety of flowers contributing their lovely presence to the autumn riot of colour.

These Japanese anemones are still doing well among the leaf litter.
A pretty dahlia; this one was growing in a kitchen garden.
Although the public rose garden has been put to bed for the winter, there are many matador roses around in the city parks.
Asters are always a welcome sight.
There are lots of sunflowers everywhere, too. The birds will appreciate this!
A couple of days ago I found this rhododendron bloom that was breaking its dormancy. There were additional buds on this bush that were also beginning to bloom, but another bush nearby showed no sign of “spring confusion.” I hope it goes to sleep again as it’s not time yet!

Happy Friday, happy weekend.

nature, Photography

Ginkgo Trees

16 Comments

The ginkgo biloba trees turn a lovely yellow in autumn.

Their fan-shaped leaves are beautiful, either in green or yellow.

They usually assume their golden hue very suddenly, almost overnight, and then the leaves fall quickly, too.

When they change colour they have to be enjoyed in the moment; there’s definitely no waiting!

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Japanese Garden Tour

32 Comments

The Japanese Garden is very pretty all year as it cycles through the seasons, but right now it’s decked out in autumn loveliness.

Rhododendron and azalea bushes.
Japanese “Fullmoon” maple.
Japanese maple in the foreground.
Across the pond.
The koi are still active although they’re beginning to slow down and will soon go into dormancy.
Ginkgo biloba leaves festoon a hedge bush.
A last look.

Happy Tuesday.