FALL

The season seems to have turned the corner to cooler weather, with snows on the mountain passes last night, and temperatures forecast only in the high 40s near Seattle during the day. Seems that winter is just around the corner.

The leaves have almost all fallen, but the wisteria (above)

apparently doesn't want to give up it's leaves just yet.

Can't you just feel the chill in the air as you see
these naked cottonwood trees above?

I saw this apple hanging on...
and started humming 'before the next teardrop falls'
but substituted the words,
'until the last apple falls'...

FALL

~Aerie-el

RED COLORS

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year, especially living in a location where the seasonal change is evident by the change in foliage, floral displays, and falling rain...

I looked south and there was sun and blue skies.
Look to the north and there were clouds and a rainbow.

The stewartia tree's leaves were stunning in their sharp red colors. The leaves on the upper branches had already fallen, so I was happy to catch this shot of some still on the branches.

Above is a photo of some of the plants that were growing
in the riparian area (along the water's shoreline) when I moved here.
I love the red branches-they remain to bring so much color for the winter.

~Aerie-el

CALENDULA COLORS

Beautiful flowers, aren't they? But what is the plural of calendula...calendulae? calenduli? just plain old 'calendulas'? (I know there's one of you out there with lots of Latin and/or horticultural knowledge!)


Whatever the plural noun is, the calendula flowers are in bloom now and brighten the cottage garden as it begins to prepare for its winter sleep.

Sweet dreams...

~Aerie-el

AUTUMN ARRIVES

Like on wings, autumn has arrived.

Migrations are more evident with so many transitory birds.
Although I enjoy them all, I find the buffleheads to be so striking
with their black-and-white colors.

Not only are there changes in the bird populations here now,
but also with the plants.
Check out this little bird in the vibrant red of the viburnum.

The ginkgo leaves haven't turned their glowing gold yet,
but they are still so lovely.


There are lots more colors to share next time...Until then...

~Aerie-el

BIRDS and APPLES

Check out this baby flicker (below)!

In the garden, as the apples on the tree ripened, not only did we enjoy them, but so did some of our fine-feathered friends. We weren't sure if it was the crows, raccoons, or which critters were responsible for the holes we found in many of the apples. In many, there was one deep, gaping, huge puncture. Perhaps these critters did sort of a taste-test, moving from one to the next?

Could this stellar jay have been the (only) guilty party?

There were plenty of apples to share with the birds so we didn't gripe too much!

The day ended with a lovely sunset...

~Aerie-el