October Gold

October is the golden month.

Leaves change from deep greens to yellow, gold, orange and fiery red. It's the gold tones which bring magic to the days and enchantment as the sun sets at night. Please join me for a series of golden images taken around my home, Frank's area and up near the cottage. Sit down and I'll pour you a glass of golden mulled cider to keep the chill off.

On our way up to the cottage last week, I noticed this restored railroad caboose and quickly snapped a shot through my side window - hence the glassy appearance. (please click to enlarge)

There weren't too many moments of sunshine while we were away, but occasional snippets of sunlight illuminated the trees' autumn colours. Benny and I took advantage of the cold, but dry moments and walked for a while. Rain soon forced us to head back to the cottage. (please click to enlarge)

Back home, I discovered the last rose of the season had just bloomed on the bush in front of my house. It only produces flowers for two limited growth periods each year. In late June, I usually get about a half dozen blooms at one time, and then nothing again until September, when I often see one or two buds reappear on the plant. There was just this single, lovely rose this time. (please click to enlarge)

A walk around the park revealed autumn's presence. This stem of Ash leaves had fallen and was resting on the bough of a Pine tree. (please click to enlarge)

As the late day sun began to set, it gave life to the changing trees and their brilliant reflections. Hopeful ducks swam toward me, wondering if I might have some bread, but soon realized I had nothing but my camera in hand, and a sigh on my lips. (please click to enlarge)

At Frank's place, we took our usual walks along the creek. Life is very different there through the autumn months, since the spawning salmon attract ridiculous numbers of anglers from around southern Ontario. The shores of the creeks are crowded with people trying to get their hooks into one of these huge beasts - and not always in the most ethical way. (please click to enlarge)

The salmon leap up the ladder to return to their birthplace and die. As you can see by the carcasses in the background, many don't make it. In their exhausted state, if they land in the wrong area, they often lack the strength to return to the water to try again. Others just keep trying... (please click to enlarge)

A few of the several thousand salmon trying to make their way upstream this year.

This is roe - eggs which have spilled out of a female while she was dragged away from the water's edge. Sometimes the salmon are gutted simply to acquire the eggs (which work well as bait for trout fishing) and are left to die and rot on the shores of the creek. It's a disgusting practice - particularly since a few eggs can often be coaxed out of a live fish. The creature can be returned to the water to resume her journey, none the worse for wear. (please click to enlarge)

These wonderful flowers are in full bloom along the pathway. They seemed to just appear overnight, which is quite impossible because they've grown to a height of about ten feet. From what I could gather from Google, I believe they're called Sunroot, Sunchoke or Jerusalem Artichoke. Of course they're not really an artichoke nor are they from Jerusalem. (please click to enlarge)

As evening fell, there was gold to be found in the sky above. (please click to enlarge)

Even the electric light which cast a warm, amber-toned glow on Frank's back deck provided us with yet another golden moment. (please click to enlarge)

I hope you enjoyed the tour of all things golden. More cider?

September Stroll

Come walk with me. There's no need for a jacket just yet - the mornings are still warm and slightly humid. Put on your comfy shoes and we'll walk through the field and woods, to the creek. While we stroll along, see if you can guess which songs are represented by the snippets of lyrics written in pink, below each photo, and please remember to click on each of the images to enlarge them.

1 "The sun pours down like honey..."

Away from the main path and close to the shore, these flowers had grown tall - just about eye-level. I noticed how the sunlight was filtering through the trees, giving an almost sepia appearance, so I crouched down to capture flowers, branches and sunlight all together.

2 "Spinning at the mercy of an unrelenting force..."

A spider scrambles across its dew-dotted web to claim its breakfast.

3 "The autumn leaves of red and gold..."

The sun catches and illuminates the red and golden tones of the changing leaves. Soon there will be more red than green.

4 "Out past the cornfields where the woods got heavy..."

These woods were heavy with a fungus. Mushrooms are growing like steps in the bark of the tree.

5 "Step by step, one by one, higher and higher..."

An up close and personal look at this growth.

6 " Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high"

September is the time when the salmon are making their way upstream. This is the same spot where trout were jumping in the spring. Every minute or so, you can see one of them attempt to jump its way up the fish ladder. Some make it, and disappear from view. Some hit the wall with a sickening thud. This one made it.

7 "I know nothing about fishing but just watch me go..."

Inside the trash bag, are one or two that got hooked before they had the chance to jump the ladder. This angler seemed pleased with his catch.

8 "Look at the flowers and the green grass so tall..."

Late in the afternoon, the sunlight saturates the wildflowers with deep, rich hues.

9 "Those water-coloured memories, soft as a summer's breeze..."

On this day the creek was like glass, reflecting the trees in its surface. There were several salmon swimming just beneath which continued to make their way upstream.

10 "But there are times that you feel you're part of the scenery..."

Up ahead, Benny catches up to Frank while making multiple detours along the way. So much to sniff!

11 "Keep on smilin' thru the rain..."

The day is done. Back at Frank's place after the sun has set and rain clouds moved through, leaving raindrop-spattered leaves.

12 "Got to sit down, take a rest on the porch..."

Outdoor lighting illuminates the back deck revealing plants which have begun to look September-weary.



Lyrics answers (not necessarily by the original artist).

1 - Suzanne - Leonard Cohen

2 - Nexus - Dan Fogelberg

3 - Autumn Leaves - Eva Cassidy

4 - Night Moves - Bob Seger

5 - Jacob's Ladder - Bruce Hornsby and the Range

6 - Summertime - Janis Joplin

7 - Gone Fishing - Chris Rea

8 - Warm Love - Van Morrison

9 - Sand River - Beth Gibbons

10 - Take the Long Way Home - Supertramp

11 - Keep on Smilin' - Wet Willie

12 - Lookin' Out My Back Door - Creedence Clearwater Revival