Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Dancing in an Autumn Sun

I see
the turning of a leaf
dancing in an autumn sun,
and brilliant shades of crimson
glowing when a day is done.
~ Hazelmarie Elliott


Okay, own up - who asked for autumn?

Whomever it was, I don't blame you entirely. Don't get me wrong - I love summer best of all. I don't mind the heat and I can't quite get enough of the long hours of sunshine. The bugs were a challenge though. This was a new revelation for me - a city girl most of my life. Who knew that when people said that the black flies would drive you nuts up north, they really meant it? Well maybe not full-out nuts but the maddening sting-itch they cause can make you a little bit crazy. And then on came the mosquitos. And deer flies. And staple flies. And so on. Still, despite the lumps and bumps and blotchy red spots, summer came and went all too quickly. It's not what I would have chosen for my favourite season but nobody asked me anyway.

So autumn is here whether it was invited or not. The changing of leaves has come early but has been beautiful. We've already peaked and are now in swift decline. But while colours were still at their best, I made sure to give the camera a good workout. I hope you enjoy autumn in my world.

autumn in sun and shade4
Autumn that year painted the countryside in vivid shades of scarlet, saffron and russet, and the days were clear and crisp under harvest skies. ~ Sharon Kay Penman
Our view wasn't quite this brilliant all of the time, but it was on overcast days when the sun peeked through tiny breaks in the clouds.





autumn in sun and shade
The mountain trees that grew between the pines were a brilliant blaze of fall colors, like fire against the emerald green of the pines, firs and spruces. And it was, as I'd told myself long ago, the year's last passionate love affair before it grew old and died from the frosty bite of winter. ~ V.C. Andrews
That kind of light and shadow could be quite dramatic at times.





autumn in the bay4
Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.
~ William Cullen Bryant
Sitting on the dock, this is the view of the bay to the right. That rock face is Blueberry Island off to the left.





autumn in the bay7
I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
~ L.M. Montgomery
Here, have a closer look at the bay.





autumn leaving home
Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.
~ Jim Bishop
That's our dock over on the right - abandoned for a few hours of fishing. Those lovely colours in the hills are what we see each morning through our kitchen window.





peninsula house
I was drinking in the surroundings: air so crisp you could snap it with your fingers and greens in every lush shade imaginable offset by autumnal flashes of red and yellow. ~ Wendy Delsol
This is a house just down the road from us. They live on a very large property on a peninsula.





autumn down the road-coast
Just before the death of flowers, And before they are buried in snow, There comes a festival season When nature is all aglow.
~ Author Unknown
A little further down the road, these cottages were doing good business in the summer. Frank figures they'll continue to rent to hunters through the fall.





autumn on baptiste
Autumn flings her fiery cloak over the sumac, beech and oak.
~ Susan Lendroth
It's difficult to tire of a view like this - even for a summer lover.





blueberry island late day autumn
I am struck by the simplicity of light in the atmosphere in the autumn, as if the earth absorbed none, and out of this profusion of dazzling light came the autumnal tints. ~ Henry David Thoreau
Beautiful Blueberry Island in the late-day, autumn sunshine.





autumn pirate ship4
Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.
~ Faith Baldwin
There are a lot of interesting characters in our neck of the woods - not the least of which are pirates. Or at least some very creative people who built this wonderful boathouse to mimic a pirate ship.





overlooking bancroft3
Methinks I see the sunset light flooding the river valley, the western hills stretching to the horizon, overhung with trees gorgeous and glowing with the tints of autumn -- a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost.
~ John Greenleaf Whittier
It was a sunny but misty and deliciously warm day when my friend Carol Anne came up for a visit. We decided to take advantage of the good weather and take a bit of a hike around Eagle's Nest which overlooks the nearby town of Bancroft, Ontario. This is the view of the town from the lookout. That's the York river winding its way through the lovely town below - a town which slowly but surely is becoming mine.





overlooking beautiful bancroft4
October was a beautiful month at Green Gables, when the birches in the hollow turned as golden as sunshine and the maples behind the orchard were royal crimson and the wild cherry trees along the lane put on the loveliest shades of dark red and bronzy green, while the fields sunned themselves in the aftermaths. ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery
It's a pretty nice place to spend your time shopping, dining occasionally, or just wandering about. And I get a kick out of seeing the hills and rock faces (underneath our feet from this vantage point) whenever I go into town. That's the York River, once again and the obligatory Canadian small town Tim Horton's (one of two!) with the cars parked behind it to its left.





view of York river from Eagles Nest4
It was October again... a glorious October, all red and gold, with mellow mornings when the valleys were filled with delicate mists as if the spirit of autumn had poured them in for the sun to drain - amethyst, pearl, silver, rose, and smoke-blue. The dews were so heavy that the fields glistened like cloth of silver and there were such heaps of rustling leaves in the hollows of many-stemmed woods to run crisply through. ~ L.M. Montgomery
This was taken a few days earlier from a stop at the lookout. It was a clearer day and we were at bit of a lower altitude.

So, as you can probably tell, I'm not too upset that somebody ordered up autumn. But please, just don't put out any requests for winter just yet.

I have more photos from the days prior to autumn so you'll probably see some of those coming up soon. I just had to share this season with you while while it is still ongoing.

56 comments:

Cloudia said...

Oh Honey! You have awakened an elemental envy in me! I adored the North and Autumn for so long. Your view over the lake is now my desktop background! Thanks.....MMMM, I'm smelling burning leaves!



ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

joeh said...

Beautiful! The only problem with Autumn is Winter is not far behind.

ADRIAN said...

I love autumn and these pictures demonstrate why.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

I know, we moved from the city to the woods of New Hampshire years ago and the bugs were exactly as you describe, UGH! Your fall pictures = stunning :)

Andy said...

Beautiful spectacular colours reflecting in the water are real eye catchers.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous scenery .. I love heading up there for all the sights and fantastic photo opportunities

Catherine said...

I have only known you in your country-girl life - hard to think of you in the City. These are stunning photos, as always. You have such a gift. I do sympathise about the bugs and the intensely itching lumps and bumps - the bites I acquired in Italy drove me potty and I had a big reaction. Spent the holiday reeking of citronella and scratching madly!

Tabor said...

Truly perfect autumn out your way. I bet you filled that memory card!! Our leaves here are just starting and the weather is perfect. Too bad I am sick and sitting inside!!

Anvilcloud said...

You live in a gorgeous spot, but we tend to avoid cottage country in spring and summer, preferring autumn and winter, believe it or not.

Mind you, we seriously considered living up there full time.

We haven't driven up to the Eagles Nest in a very long time, it being a very bumpy ride when we last went.

DJan said...

Those trees are simply stunning. Some of the captures took my breath away. You are such a good photographer, I always enjoy gazing for a long time at your pictures. :-)

TexWisGirl said...

just gorgeousness! the biting flies and bugs sound atrocious, though, for your summer. :)

Karen said...

I love Eagles Nest! Have not been in awhile. Long weekend of lovely weather coming Might be a nice weekend coming for a trip up.

Bob Bushell said...

Thanks for the autumn in your place, wonderful, truly remarkable.

ellen abbott said...

I had to laugh at your first view of the town. I saw one building! some lovely shots here. being a coastal plain Texan, fall color doesn't happen much but that's OK with me. I'll take the extended summer and milder fall any day in exchange.

Gail Dixon said...

I detest summer and cannot wait for fall, my favorite time of year. All of these shots are fabulous, but the 4th one down is dazzling! Cannot wait to see more of your autumn collection.

Rosaria Williams said...

What a celebration of color!

Brian Miller said...

heh it was me...i will take the blame...i love autumn in all its splendor....i love your views....

Gayle said...

Raising my hand,,,, I have been waiting and waiting for your gawjus autumn. OMG, FAB!!!

Red said...

Colorful photos and colorful quotes as well.

Lisa Gordon said...

What a gorgeous autumn you are having, Hilary! Almost all of our leaves have fallen now, but we had some really beautiful color this year.

Ruby said...

No offense to any of the other seasons, but Autumn is the best and most beautiful!!!

Lovely colours and wonderful quotes!

Anonymous said...

I love autumn but like a house guest she overstays her welcome and around the end of November I am tired of her. After she leaves winter comes and he is a nasty and cold brute.

Linda said...

Outstanding pictures in a beautiful setting. I agree about summer, although they are hot and humid here, and the warmth tends to stretch into fall, with a sprinkling of cool days and cooler nights.

You do live in a beautiful place, but I do not envy you the bugs. I know about black flies from vacationing in Maine every summer as a kid, and 'skeeters' are everywhere!

Daryl said...

these are spectacular … here trees are still green … sigh

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful,Beautiful images.I love all that colour,I only wish it lasted longer.I guess now with the pictures it will last as long as we want it to,if only on the computer.

stephen Hayes said...

Such beautiful colors. I've never been much of a landscape painter but these photos are tempting me.

Suldog said...

Are there blueberries on Blueberry Island? Beautiful place, in any case.

Out on the prairie said...

Amazing colors, it is just starting around here

Out on the prairie said...

Amazing colors, it is just starting around here

Wendy said...

What a picturesque place you live in! Your shots are so clear - they look like postcards!!

Sittin' on the dock of the bay - taking pics and absorbing those lush fall colours - not a bad way to usher autumn in. LOL.

Summer always speeds by in a flash. I didn't order fall either, but she came anyway.
Tks for sharing

Anonymous said...

How totally gorgeous! You get the full range of fall colors. Our trees haven't even begun to change colors yet - we're still stuck in summer (bugs!) Wishing for you that winter bides its time getting to you.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Holy moly ... those were some gorgeous sights.

Ahhh

You have me really jealous

For the moment.

But in my neck of the woods, I'll never have to worry about a frost or shoveling snow. (Keep reminding yourself, Mac)

yaya said...

You didn't tell me you lived in Heaven! Or maybe God felt so bad about the nasty bugs that He sent all that beauty as an apology! I love the colors reflected in the water..a double delight! I do love this time of year. Our peak time is here and I'm loving it too! Enjoy what's left of Autumn colors!

Barb said...

Oh, pleeez! I'm having color envy!

Unknown said...

Beuatiful snaps Hillary..I love the autumn in the West ...do not find much of nature's change in India though

Marking your blog.

http://rathinasviewspace.com/

Anonymous said...

Wow - what glorious autumn shots! So beautiful.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Just blogged about you, a little :) with links! http://garysthirdpotteryblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-good-life.html

Stewart M said...

Great pictures - and wonderful colour.

Who ever ordered autumn for you managed to get spring sent here as well!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Chicken said...

Hi Hilary-I'm a summer lover, as well. Fall is beautiful, though. It's like a lovely departing gift, I guess.I would love to go on a hike with you sometime.

Mandy said...

What fantastic autumn colours!! Our leaves are still as green as can be but then it was basically summer until last week! I don't mind getting an extra month of summer though - it is my favourite season too.

I'm humming "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" now after reading your post (you were saying you were sitting on the dock with the bay to the side).

Maggie May said...

Autumn does look so beautiful but it's not my favourite season. I think that's because it heralds the freezing Winter. Somehow Spring seems to be full of the promise of better things!
Your water looks so crystal clear.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Leah J. Utas said...

Gorgeous. Thank you. We don't get many reds here. It's quite a treat.

Shammickite said...

You have certainly moved to a lovely part of Ontario, entirely different from Mississauga! The trees have been gorgeous haven't they? Some leaves still left in my neighbourhood, but the little tree in front of my house has been stripped bare naked by the wind. poor little tree, I think I will knit a scarf for it, to make it feel better.

Kerry said...

Oh my goodness. These are just beautiful, impossible to pick a fave, but maybe I'll go with the first and last ones. And what, you say that the colors have already peaked? We're behind you by a week or two.

EG CameraGirl said...

The scenery is awesome!

A Cuban In London said...

Me, me, me! At the back, me! I said autumn! :-)

My favourite season and your photos have just proved why.

Greetings from London.

Joanna Jenkins said...

THAT'S what I'm talking about when I whine about missing autumn cuz Los Angeles NEVER, EVER looks anything like that in the Fall. Wow, wow, wow!

I can see why you aren't in any hurry for winter-- the colors and views (that I doubt aren't as easily to get to in winter) are beyond gorgeous.

Thanks a million for the eye-popping beauty.

xo jj

William Kendall said...

Breathtaking and beautiful!

Unknown said...

I do miss seeing these leaves. Your home, Hilary is beautiful--leaving or returning! In the second grade, we were given an assignment to collect different colored leaves, and have our mother's seal them in a plastic pouch the teachers handed out (to be done with a hot iron).

Indrani said...

OMG! Such beautiful sights! I could sit and stare the whole day! Wish I got that time.

Linette said...

Breathtaking scenic shots absolutely beautiful! =0)

Just Fluttering Around

Mage said...

Not only am I joyful over all that wonderful color that I've never seen in person, I've been truly enjoying the quotes. Few people know of Faith Baldwin any more, and the LM Montgomery quotes made me hold my breath. What great pairings. Thank you.

steviewren said...

The reds and golds are so vibrant. It is gorgeous.

Come visit Alabama for green. We still have most of ours. The trees have barely started turning.

Kat said...

Oh these pictures are just fantastic. So gorgeous. There is not much prettier than fall and you have captured it so well. Honestly, it looks so much like "up north" at our cabin. Makes me miss it. I haven't gotten a chance to get up there this fall.
I hadn't invited fall either, yet here it is. I would live in summer if I could. Fall is too quickly followed by that blasted winter so it is hard to enjoy all it's glory. But it is glorious.
Hope you are able to enjoy the beauty.


-and yes, black flies are HORRID. There is one week (usually the middle of May) when I avoid going up north at all costs because all the black flies hatch and there are SWARMS of them. You can't be outside for any length of time at all (not even minutes) They are every where. Ugh.

Jenn Jilks said...

I dearly love Bancroft! We are skipping our October visit to Muskoka. Just too much going on with appointments...

Unknown said...

I think the Canadian autumn is as beautiful as the autumn in Poland. And looking at your picture I think it may be even more beautiful. :)