Images of Autumn, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 8:30PM Streams of light wash the trees with molten rays, dripping glitter upon the forest floor. It is late October, and autumn is beginning to show her colors. Not fieriness yet, for we are weeks away from peak colors, but the woods have a warm glow that complements the season's cooler air. The days are a refreshment to my soul, and I want to soak them in, remembering each detail in the garden. I am out with my camera often.
This redbud tree is laden with dried seedpods.
Some fall vignettes looked staged, but I photographed them just as I found them:
I found this spent Magnolia grandiflora seedpod in an empty pot, one perfect red seed resting in the heart of it.
A fallen feather lies next to a few dogwood berries.
This upside-down mushroom has moss clinging to its stem. I wonder what uprooted it and how it came to rest so perfectly on the ground.
I can not overlook flowers that will bloom right up to the precipice of winter:
A couple of black and white images are a salute to next season:
This dried Oakleaf Hydrangea seed head caught my attention. It reminds me of a cluster of butterflies.
An old stump has artistic swirls and crevices.
Will we have another hard winter? I hope not. For now, I cling to day after day of glorious autumn.
Reader Comments (17)
Deb, your garden is very beautiful this time of year. I wish we got more of your fall color. I do have the same Magnolia seedpods strewn all about the bare soil of my former front lawn area but the seeds disappear quickly - it seems the squirrels like them. I also have mushrooms of various kinds popping up all over the garden, as if they heard the same bugle call. Enjoy the pleasures of the season!
Gorgeous fall foliage and flowers in your garden. I always enjoy seeing your garden images, have a great week.
That Magnolia seedhead with the perfectly placed red seed is something special. I always enjoy your creative observations. Autumn is lovely in your garden!
It's cooling down there but the warmth of autumn colour in your garden looks fabulous!
Gorgeous views, as always! Here in North Georgia we're still awaiting most of our color as well, but enjoying lots of the same things you are!
Lovely observations of the beauties of your autumn garden. The magnolia seed head with its one red seed could be a still-life picture. I'm glad you are making the most of your cooler days. Autumn can be such a special time.
I love the subtle touches of whimsy in your garden. I found the container with a face and the bird bath with the character of a tree branch to be special and produced such a special feel.
Wonderful photos as always!
As you say, nature sometimes (often) produces the most artistic and beautiful compositions without the help of any human hands.
I've often noticed how an entire forest hillside seeded by Mother Nature can seem harmonious, but human-designed landscapes often seem awkward or out of place. Just my humble opinion.
Love the way the Japanese Maple leaves in your photo look to have been dipped in paint with only the tips turning red. Marvelous!
Oh and I like your rabbit statue too. Very nice and subtle. I surprised a real-life rabbit yesterday that had been hiding in my front foundation plantings. It practically hopped over my feet on its way across the lawn to safety near some junipers and hypericums! :)
Autumn brings many nice surprises to the garden, Beautiful colors, seeds and mushrooms. I can see why you are often out with your camera. There is so much to see. I love that maple with the red leaf tips. What is its name?
Thank you all for your comments! Each one is important to me. Denise, that particular maple was an unnamed seedling when I planted it more than 20 years ago. It grew into one of my prettiest Japanese maples. The foliage is incredible. Deb
Even though you are so south of here, you get some really nice fall color - all testament to your design skills. I still like the woodland gardens with the maples and your array of colorful blooms. The B&W images are a treasure, nice photos all around, Deb.
I too am hoping we won't have another harsh winter this year. The garden actually benefits from a continuous covering of snow, but for us humans, last winter seemed to drag on and on. Like you, I ma trying to soak in the glorious fall colors and appreciate the season at hand. The little vignettes of your garden are all just wonderful Deb.
You have such wonderful colours in your garden, it is so beautiful. So many colours, shapes and textures to be seen, it is all so interesting.
Your garden looks so lovely and peaceful. Is that Virginia sweetspire in the upper right of your leaf collage? I love your flower collage too.
I can almost imagine walking in your garden as I look at the picture with the bird bath. The light looks warm and beautiful.
Your Autumn garden looks simply stunning! So many beautiful colours and textures. I love that upturned mushroom and the beautiful plants still blooming away.
Autumn is so gorgeous and bittersweet. And way too short for my liking!
Love your softened garden Deb and the beautiful candid shots. But the flowers oh be still my heart .