I guess I might as well admit it - autumn is finally here and winter is treading on its heels. Fortunately at my house it's been a very nice season so far, frosty in the morning but sunny and warming by afternoon. The trees and bushes are responding with a palette of color that makes fall photography so fun. I have taken a million pictures and one or two are worth sharing.
Some of my plants are getting ready for the long winter's night, and some are just now perking up. Frankie's cranesbill is a nice contrast with the pansy purple and yellow.
Some trees are turning a beautiful red.
Last week I went on a walk during my lunch hour and took my camera. I work in an office by the river trail. I know I've mentioned it before, but since I'm so used to the dark green/sunny yellow palette of the Rocky Mountain aspens and pines, any red or orange is a nice contrast and I seek it out. The river trail is a quick and easy walk down the street, past a Colorado Champion Tree, a dawn redwood.
On the path, there's usually a walker or jogger and a dog or two. The scrub oak lines the path and an old ditch line runs below the path on a river bench. In the middle of the day, the sun shone warmly through the Gambel oak and the green tunnel of the ditch line drew me like a magnet.
Some years the ubiquitous oak brush on the hills around town turn a uniform brown, but some years, I'm rewarded with all the colors I love. From nut brown to pumpkin orange to the most gorgeous crimson - this year is truly spectacular. I spent some time wandering the path and taking photos of everything I saw. I've posted some I think you'll like below the abstract orange leaf.
Yellow to red, all the colors were represented.
The flowers were also blooming on the rabbit brush and the bees were taking advantage of a nice day to store more food for winter.
I also got busy with some winter storage. I put up several jars of pickles, both regular and hot dills, along with all the hot peppers I grew this summer.
I also have some squash and pumpkin. I thought I'd try a red kuri, so I got one from the farmer's market, roasted it in the oven, and turned it into a delicious cream soup. I've got a cinderella pumpkin and a kabocha, hanging out in my cool back room waiting to be turned into something yummy.
Still lots of gardening time left during this fall season, I've got some spring bulbs to plant and more work to do on my front garden. As you can see, I've been very busy!
What's going on in your gardens?