Tag Archives: nature

Picture Jumble

These are October pictures that I like but haven’t posted before as I chose to publish others from the same sets in more cohesive ways.

Petunias from a large pot on my deck; they’ve been beautiful all summer and are actually still blooming.

Yellowing ginkgo biloba leaves – I love the shape of them. Ginkgo biloba trees are ancient; they’re part of the fossil record.

A path through the Japanese Garden; I walk there probably two or three times a week. It’s peaceful, calming and beautiful.

The stages of autumn change are shown through a colourful ash tree, some dried ornamental grasses and in the foreground, grape vines.

This clump of dahlias looked particularly pretty against the blue sky.

Autumn is beautiful and can be beautifully surprising with its colours, skies, and often, lovely temperatures. There’s probably nothing better than sitting outside in comfortable, glorious autumn temperatures, the season settling and relaxing into a luminous winter.

Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile. ~ William Cullen Bryant 

October Perspectives

We had a very hazy sunset that was followed by another wind and rain storm. At times the wind reached 80 km (50 miles).

It seems that this autumn, we have to enjoy its beauties while peering around or avoiding the storms.

I hope this means that the weather is blowing itself out and we will have a gentle little winter!

Happy Saturday.

October 24’s Friday Fleurday

Although the flowers are of course dwindling now I am still discovering a few here and there.

The matador roses are really hardy and in some protected corners I see them blooming even into December.

The crane’s bill flowers are almost all gone now, though.

Asters are quite tolerant and I may also find some of them well into November or December.

Chrysanthemums are the stars of course and will tolerate a light frost; I’ve even seen them survive a freezing rain. The fact is, however, that time is running out for our garden lovelies. It’s time to enjoy the last of them!

Happy Friday.

Marvellous Maples

The Canadian red maple trees are turning.

Ranging in autumn colour from light orange to fire engine red, these trees are very hardy and thrive in a wide variety of climate and soil conditions.

Although they look lovely throughout the year, they absolutely shine during autumn. There are groves, thickets and entire forests of red maples throughout this country which is one reason why they are our national symbol.

The other reason? They’re tough, hardy and resilient. 🇨🇦

Happy Thursday.

Treasure

Right now we have treasure; a feast of golds, reds, oranges and yellows, a bounty to appreciate and enjoy.

A honey locust tree …

… and a lovely Japanese maple delight our colour senses …

… while the dark green leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree have faded and are now turning yellow …

… a cornucopia of autumn brightness.

Happy Tuesday. 🍂

Red and Blue …

… and gold, too.

The contrasts in colours at this time of year in the northern hemisphere can be spectacular …

… but they have to be enjoyed right now …

… as this beauty is fleeting and precious …

… and has to carry us through winter.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus

Happy Monday.

An Autumn Storm

A couple of days ago we had a major storm blow through. The wind was roaring and savagely bending the trees almost to the ground while the rain whipped furiously against windows and scudded down streets. But a few hours later, voilà! Sun and lovely clear air!

The wind had disappeared, the sun had come out and except for the dampness still in the air and the puddles on the ground, it was almost as if the storm hadn’t ever happened.

The sun even had a bit of power; it actually felt more spring-like than autumnal.

Okanagan Lake was strikingly beautiful in its calm and tranquil demeanour; there was no sign at all of the recent weather tantrum.

The wind did leave a reminder of its power, though. Heaps of leaves were left piled about in an explosion of colourful autumn detritus as if to say, “I’m gone for now but I’ll soon be back!”

Happy Sunday.