Sunday, October 1, 2017

Morning Walks Along The Lane

September stayed warm, a turn-about from the unexpectedly cool days that characterized the later part of August. 
Prowling about outside, walking up and down the lane, I attempted to create a photo record of the changes leading into fall.
Days after the goldenrod edging the lane had faded, these stems were a spill of color along the retaining wall that flanks the narrow front drive.


Leaves are still clinging to most of the trees, hickories showing a tinge of bronze.
The tulip poplars and sweet gums release their leaves in slow drifts of deep gold.




The  airy prettiness of cosmos is a summer-long delight--they are much hardier than their lacy foliage suggests.

Ironweed in the pasture has gone to seed.


Sometimes a plant that Jim has leveled with the weed whacker sends up new growth, providing a burst of color after those beyond the fence have had their season.



Cobwebs cling to tangled wet grass, disappearing as the sun's rays absorb the dew.



Wild morning glory trailing along the asphalt near a culvert--annoyingly invasive, but delicately pretty in bloom.



Dark red dahlias, double knock-out roses and one lovely Hawkeye Belle--


The second round of nasturtiums, growing quickly.  I'm watching the seeds developing on the originals--the vines have shriveled.  I intend to gather the seeds for new starts in the spring.

Cool mornings with banks of fog rolling up from the creek.

 
Fog and mist disappear in wisps across a field of soybeans.

Goldenrod by the pasture fence.

An exuberant welter of cosmos at the end of the side porch walk.

When the morning mist burns away the air is fresh and clean, the sky a vivid blue.


The last hummingbirds, two juveniles, departed on Friday.
We watched them on Thursday, skimming above the red cockscomb growing below the porch, zooming to the feeders to recharge on sugar syrup.
I wonder, did they leave at first light--or did they wait for the sun?
I will leave the feeders in place for a few days, in case there are needy travelers.


10 comments:

  1. I sense that when your hummingbirds head south, you share my sense of loss when our swallows and martins depart for Africa. They spell summer to me.

    My Goldenrods went over in August, and I only just grabbed the last to stick in a dyebath (currently in freezer). My garden is mostly decorated by windfall apples at the moment - a few late flowers, the Michaelmas daisies, sedums, white cosmos, romping nasturtiums and some roses reluctant to throw in the towel, but not much else out there. Autumn has arrived.

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    1. Jennie; In New England it was always the departure of the Barn Swallows in late August which foretold the end of summer. Entire clans of them lined up and teetered on telephone wires making their travel plans.
      I have several times planted Michaelmas daisies here--to my disappointment they didn't 'take.'

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  2. Your lovely flowers are such a colourful way to end the summer. We too have goldenrod and cosmos still brightening the garden.

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    1. Ann; These late flowers are so appreciated. I enjoy their 'revival' after the long weeks of humid heat when they all droop.

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  3. Your posts are a gift of fresh air, a simpler way of life, hints of changing seasons, life enjoyed. You have a wonderful way with words.

    Thank you ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Rainey; So many sad situations that we can't change, and the mind goes into an emotional overload at times. Like you, I find that keeping close to the change of seasons and 'simple' things has a way of grounding me.

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  4. A beautiful autumn walk. Finally starting to cool down here too.

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    1. Janet; Our weather is ideal just now! It would be nice to have these temperatures last through December [dream on!]

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  5. Thank you for the beautiful autumn walk! It must be so pretty to see the mist rising in the morning. It always amazes me how the flowers have one last flush of bloom before the frosts - a sweet remembrance when winter winds are howling. x Karen

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    1. Karen; It may be that our pro-longed summer is coming to an end.
      I'm hoping for cooler weather and the energy to tidy the messy garden.

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