Wildflower Wednesday

As we walk along the road, 

the bright red berries of the Sumac bushes 

tell us that summer has drawn to a close. 

Soon the sumac leaves, too, will be a brilliant red.    

End of the Season

Leaves are starting to fall, and autumn chores are well underway at Smith Lake.  Docks are being pulled onto shore, and boats are being readied for their long winter sleep.  No water skiers on the lake now.  The water temperature has cooled considerably to a brisk 40 degrees or so.   There was frost on the rooftops on Saturday  morning!

Bright golds and oranges burst from the far shore as the morning sun touched the autumn leaves still stubbornly clinging to the trees. Soon they, too, will be convinced by the autumn winds to let go and fly through the air in a brief moment of freedom before they tumble to the ground.  Already a soft blanket of leaves covers the ground in the woods.

The sunset is no longer across the lake from us in the west, but way down the shoreline.  It looks like even the sun is moving South for the winter.

Fungi Friday

Walking down the road through the woods this week we saw some interesting mushrooms growing on this old stump.  The leaves are turning red and gold.  Many have already fallen to carpet the woodland floor.

October skies

Not many sunset photos recently.

We arrive after dark now on Fridays.  The days are getting notably shorter!  And, of course, there are no lovely sunsets if it's cloudy and windy like it has been recently.

But the leaves are changing, and when there is a peek of sunshine the colors just POP!

I love the wonderful, earthy smells of autumn leaves and delight in the crunch of the leaves underfoot.  Even raking leaves be an enjoyable chore on a lovely autumn day.