Sunday, October 26, 2008

Peak


The front maple tree is at peak.
Strong northern winds are blowing her leaves.
The yard will soon be filled.
A cold front is coming in.



Frost for tonight.




The colors are vivid in the afternoon sun.
A few butterflies came to the butterfly bushes.
Bees were happy on the apple slices I set out for them.


Many birds are about.
The Purple Finches are enjoying Dogwood berries.

I shall mulch the rosemary.

26 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your maple tree is so pretty. Ours isn't turning this year due to the drought. The leaves will probably all just fall off the next few days when it freezes.

I love the leaf captured in the sky. Did you accidently/purposely get that or did you photo shop it?

We saw our first of the season Purple finch and Pine Siskins today.

Marimoy said...

breathtaking photos as always. Happy autumn!

Wendy said...

I also like the leaf captured in the sky. And your butterfly is so pretty, sitting on the lavender flowers.
Enjoy your dear little creatures while you can. Our are all gone.

Check our Mimi's blog. I think you'd like to see her monarch butterfly pupae! Lucky Mimi!

ChrisND said...

As I take walks this fall, I find the maples to be the best! That was a nice shot of a leaf...it would be great to keep following it to the ground. We also had a cold front...this week should be very nice though.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Wow--a falling leaf caught in the act!

Our nighttime is cold tonight, also--but a bit more so than yours.
We must be sitting under the same cold front!

Anonymous said...

I love that leaf floating through space. It seems to sum up the essence of autumn.
We are further north than you, so we have already had the hard frost. Enjoy all the birds and bugs while you can.

kkryno said...

I woke up to 10% temps this morning. BRRRRRR!!!

Your neck of the woods looks MUCH more appealing. ;0)

Beautiful photos: The butterfly and Purple Finch are so sweet.

Have a good week.

Lov, Vikki.

ICQB said...

I love the falling leaf! There was a brief spattering of snow here this morning - just to punctuate the fact that it really was that cold out.

Enjoy your beautiful leaves! They are really showy here this year - although it seems like they started a tad early, and all of a sudden-like.

Happy Autumn!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Haven't seen a butterfly here in more than a week. Haven't seen a purple finch in several years. Love looking at your photos. Since I don't have any, I'll be happy to share yours.
Marnie

Cheryl said...

Beautiful Sherry......I love the solitary leaf floating down to the ground......and you still have your butterflies.....mine I think have said their goodbyes.....

We are going to have a very cold night.....we have an icelandic blast arriving.....bbrrrrrr......

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
I am always amazed at how beautiful October is. Drought can be so hard on the trees. Hope yours recover soon.
I worked awhile to get the leaf floating down in the wind. I think photo shopping would have been easier! I just really wanted to get a picture of a falling leaf. I think I was able to get three different pictures where my leaves were in focus.
I also saw some Pine Siskins! I stopped while walking and watched a few. They were enjoying some hedge apples, the fruit of the Osage Orange tree.
I am so hapy to see the Juncos too. Soon the birds will be my daytime companions. I will miss the bees and the butterflies.
Sherry

marmee said...

beauty is all around you and you always capture it so well.
i love the yellow leaf capture.
happy cool fall day to you!

Q said...

Dear Mimi,
Thank you!
I love this time in October, the week of Halloween is always so much fun.
Happy Autumn to you too.
BOO!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
Thank you. The falling leaves are so pretty. I love the energy of the wind and the sound of the leaves. As I sat on the deck reading every now and again a leaf would fall on my legs...it was heavenly.
I shall visit Mimi soon. Lucky her indeed!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Chris,
I too have been enjoying the Maples. My husband brought me home some lovely Red Maple leaves he picked while checking on a job. I was thrilled.
Sometimes I like the browns of the Oaks or the yellows of the Elms. I think I like them all!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Nina,
LOL!!!
I am excited that I actually was able to get a leaf, in focus, while it blew and flew!
I think the nighttime low tonight is to be 27 degrees. Hard frost I expect.
It is time.
The wheel is turning.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Judy,
I know once the leaves are gone from the trees it will be easier to see my birds!
The butterflies and bees were out this afternoon. Tonight hard freeze. I said my, "sleep well", to my bug friends for now.
I think off and on during the winter the bees come out if it warms up and I put some fruit out for them. I will miss them.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
Oh my goodness! It is cold for you. Brr...is right.
It can get that cold in December or January here but I do not think ever in October we have had 10 degrees.
Do stay warm!
Happy Halloween! Come by for some hot cider and scary stories.
BOO!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear icqb,
Snow??? my goodness...we have had snow before in October. I remember a huge snowstorm on October 22nd one year. The leaves were on the trees and the snow was wet and heavy. Around here it is well remembered as the "October surprise". Many people lost trees and branches. I did! I lost an Apple tree and three Blue Spruces.
Hope you are staying snug and warm.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marnie,
I am always happy to share bugs and birds!
I think my butterfly days for 2008 are quickly coming to an end.
I will miss them.
We will need to visit Mimi and ask her to post a few pictures of her lovely butterflies!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Do stay warm! Our temps are dropping tonight too. I think hard frost for us.
I like the picture of the leaf floating in the air...glad you do too.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marmee,
Thank you. I was very happy when I finally was able to get a picture of a falling leaf.
Nature is beautiful where ever we may be.
Sherry

Mary said...

That leaf floating by is spectacular. Wow.

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I was very pleased floating leaf was in focus.
It took a few tries before I was able to get it!
Sherry

Maria said...

Ditto to what everyone else said. That floating leaf photo is a stunner.

Q said...

Dear Maria,
So good to hear from you!
How are the turtles. It is cold at night and warm in the afternoons, crazy making weather for turtles I would think!~
Have a Happy Halloween.
~BOO!~
Sherry