Sunday, October 19, 2008

Shades of Autumn

There's no holding autumn back now. Subtle hues of honey and bisque have deepened into mature tones of amber and bronze. Fiery shades of scarlet and orange ignite and sear the countryside with their flames.

It's a particularly vibrant autumn this year. The sun's warmth carries the scent of fallen leaves, and where I walk, sweet-smelling apples are strewn across the path. The light fades early these evenings, and the nights are crisp and fresh. Indoors it seems right to have a pot of soup simmering on the stove, and if I enjoyed baking, there'd probably be an apple pie in the oven. Today, it's sunny but cool, so grab a jacket and zip it up. We're going for a walk.




The park path which winds around the lake displays its autumn foliage. You can see that there are still a large number of green leaves, and the grass is still healthy and lush. This is the reward from summer's frequent rain. (Please click to enlarge)




A small grove of trees proudly display their scarlet apparel. (Please click to enlarge)




At the base of a tree, a cluster of mushrooms appreciate the moisture from the earth around them. They explode in brilliant shades of copper and caramel as they peer out into the late-day sunshine. (Please click to enlarge)




There are many apple trees along the way. The fruit is sweet and tasty, but by now, all of the low-hanging branches have been picked clean. This duck was trying to grab this one out of the water, but was unsuccessful. (Please click to enlarge)




As the brilliant autumn leaves are reflected in the lake, this duck appears to be swimming in crayon-drawn colours. (Please click to enlarge)




Similarly, this cormorant preens before a backdrop of vibrant hues. (Please click to enlarge)




Up close, one could almost imagine that the lake is on fire. (Please click to enlarge)




The grass is dry. Let's sit for a bit and enjoy the beauty of this little pond. Can't you just feel your shoulders relax? (Please click to enlarge)



At the base of this stem, the leaves blush with tinges of crimson. As you look toward the tips, the red bleeds through and ignites the fronds. (Please click to enlarge)




The warm glow of red-orange maple leaves are classic Canadian autumn to me.




Back at home, vines grow across the fence, providing a colourful wall between my back yard and the neighbour's. (Please click to enlarge)




A purple leaf emerges from the green vine along the fence. (Please click to enlarge)

Now that our outing is done, grab a bowl and we'll have some butternut squash soup. The crisp, autumn night air will soon be upon us.

61 comments:

Gary's third pottery blog said...

you said it: we simmered that soup all day yesterday--it is hard to beat the october landscape!

the Bag Lady said...

Okay, that's it...I'm throwing in the towel..err...camera. Your photos are fabulous! I especially like the closeup of the cormorant - gorgeous colours in the water.

I'm also just a wee bit jealous that you still have leaves on the trees - ours are mostly gone now. Big winds have blown them away.

blunoz said...

Beautifully photographed and masterfully written. Well done!

Crabby McSlacker said...

Just beautiful.

Daryl said...

Lovely .. fall here is far less colorful .. if I want to see fall foliage I must drive upstate or into CT ...
or visit your blog!

:-Daryl

Leah J. Utas said...

Magic. I loved the scarlet grove.
Thanks for the walk.

Zuzana said...

Beautiful photographs, I love the red and orange colors of the autumn. What a stunning scenery as well. Thank you for stopping by my place.:)

photowannabe said...

Thanks for painting the beautiful scenery with your words. Glorious colors.
I would love to have a bowl of steaming soup with you. Thanks for the invite.

Anonymous said...

I'm envious of your seasonal change and the vibrant colors! Gorgeous fall photo essay!

Anonymous said...

Sigh...I just love fall. Thanks for taking us on your walk with you.

Mental P Mama said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. As usual.

Russell said...

How does that saying go? A picture is worth a 1,000 words?

So how many words do so many beautiful images make?! Who cares? I just enjoy looking at nature's paint brush and the colors of fall.

Take care.

The Merry said...

Long wistful sigh... thank you! That hit the spot ;)

steviewren said...

It's finally cool here and beautiful there. Put the two together and I've got a real taste of autumn.

Please pass the soup!

Frank Baron said...

Beauteous pics and poetic prose Hil. Not to mention educational! I thought a bisque was a Spanish separatist. Or a rate of speed as in: You can't take great shots like this if you're walking too bisquely. Had NO idea it was a colour too!

Thanks! :)

SandraRee said...

Breathtaking Hilary. I especially love all the water shots. This is why I love Fall.

Dianne said...

I'm making soup today :)
Put the heat on early this morn for the first time.

I have never seen mushrooms any color here but white. Copper shrooms are magnificent!!

All the reflections are stunning.

And last but not least the purple (my favorite color) leaf!

Happy Autumn Hil :)

Anonymous said...

I soooo miss pennsylvania this time of year.

texas doesnt *quite* cut it.

Kerri Farley said...

You have captured perfectly why this is my favorite season! OK - I LOVE all of the seasons....especially this one!!
The colors are so vibrant - I especially like the "crayon colored" waters!

Hilary said...

• That's true, Gary. October has to be the best month - visually. I'll bet your soup was delicious. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks, Baggie. We still have most of our leaves on the trees at this time, but it won't be long.. one windy day and the season will be over. Thanks for your kind words. :)

• Thanks very much, Bluenoz.. much appreciated. :)

• Thanks, Crabby. And thank you very much for linking to my blog in your post today. You're too kind. :)

• Thanks, Daryl. A trip into my blog takes much less time, so I hope you'll keep checking out the foliage here. :)

• Thanks, Leah. I'm glad you joined me on the walk. :)

• Thanks kindly, Protege. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

• Thanks, Photowannabe. I'll keep the pot simmering for you. You're welcome any time. :)

• Thank you, Seamus. We're very lucky to have such changes here. Thanks for your kind words. :)

• Hard to beat autumn for colour eh, Susan? I'm glad you could join me. :)

• Thanks muchly, MpM. :)

• Thanks for stopping by, Russell. Your own words always paint some wonderful pictures. :)

• Thanks Merry, I'm glad you liked it. :)

• A great big bowl of soup coming right up, Steviewren. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Thanks, Frank. I'm basquing in your bisque puns and laughing like a son of a bisque. ;)

• Thanks kindly, Sandra. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)

• Thanks very much, Dianne. What kind of soup? I've resisted turning on the heat so far. I suspect that won't last too much longer. Thanks for the kind words.. oh and purple is my favourite colour too. :)

• Mizfit, I imagine that Texas winters are kinder than ours. Thanks for linking to my blog on Friday - much appreciated. And thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks, Kerri. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and that you're enjoying the season. Thanks for the visit. :)

just jamie said...

I've heard about this thing they call "autumn." I've heard about the foliage and leaves and colors and wind...

WOW.

I knew I could turn to you to illustrate and capture these, when this SoCal girl was in need of her autumn fix. ;)

Dave said...

What beautiful photos Hilary, very professionally presented with your lovely prose. Thank you for this. - Dave

Louise said...

What a fabulous post. Every single picture is incredible. Your commentary is amazing. Is that last photo poison ivy? If yes, it makes me mad how it is always so pretty. If not, it looks very much like it to me.

I LOVE where I live, in the southwestern U.S. high desert, but these kinds of posts make me long for some trees. We have some by the river, but they are all one color (and haven't changed much yet), but nothing like this. I would love to take a walk with you in this place, and I'll bring the apple pie!

Dianne said...

Hil - I made chicken and vegetable with little pastina noodles!!

My next go is the soup my Aunt used to make - with the tiny meatballs, I think they call it Wedding Soup.

Suldog said...

Lovely, lovely stuff to see after coming back to work from my vacation. ALMOST makes it worth it :-)

Cedar said...

The reflections in the water looking like an impressionist painting. As always, I love your stuff.

Anonymous said...

You've done it again: I melt at your words and visually climb into your pictures. I feel like I've just had a visit to the very best relaxation & meditation spa. My heart rate is lower and I am at Peace.

Bless you, Hilary!


PS: I'm usually not a mushroom fan, but copper and caramel 'shrooms? I just fell in love with them.

Anonymous said...

Oh these autumn colors always make me go there. Amazing colors. Have been to so many countries & I love these whether they are in USA or in Europe.
In India we do not have these.

Cuckoo

Anonymous said...

You must have seen me at David's & others' blogs.

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Jamie. I'm glad you could get your autumn fix right here. At least you're keeping warm. ;) Thanks for stopping by.

• Thanks very much for your kind words, Cimba. They mean a lot to me. :)

• Thanks so much, Louise. You always know how to make my day with your kind comments. The purple leaf in the photo is not poison ivy. It's an unknown (to me) ivy that's growing on the fence from my neighbour's yard. I believe it's planted there, and not growing as a weed. In any event, I think it looks nice, particularly at this time of the year. Apple pie sounds wonderful.. it's a deal! (And would be even without the pie.) ;)

• Dianne, that sounds delicious. And I've had Wedding Soup before - it's wonderful. I'm sure yours will turn out great! Thanks for the revisit. :)

• Thanks, Sully. I'm glad to see that you're back - even though it means the end of your vacation. I've missed your blog posts. :)

• Thank you, Cedar. I love Impressionist art so that comparison makes me smile. Thanks for that. :)

• KC, you're too kind! Thanks so much for your sweet words. I'm glad that my photos relax you. It means you'll probably be back - and for that, I'm very grateful. :)

• Welcome, Cuckoo! And thanks for your kind words. We probably have crossed paths at David's/Authorblog before. Thanks for stopping by here. :) I tried leaving a comment at your blog, but it didn't seem to want accept my info (name, web page, etc). I'll try again sometime soon. :)

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

This was just beautiful--gorgeous pictures with stirring words to match.

Unknown said...

Ohh thank you so much for this walk. These photos are spectacular. And such beautiful works to go along with them.

Kappa no He said...

Do people go mushroom hunting in Canada? It's kind of the thing here. Invariably, though, you get the news stories about the ones who ate the poisonous mushrooms. Just curious. Beautiful pics!

Tink said...

The colors are amazing! They almost make my eyes hurt they're so pretty. Why aren't you a professional photographer yet? You should sell your stuff on Zazzle or Etsy!

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

oh my!!!!! it was such a beautiful walk, made prettier by your evocative words........Thank you Hilary! :)

Anonymous said...

I love your Fall photos. You live in a beautiful place!

And thank you for your nice comment on my blog.

Reb said...

Hilary, I am slow getting around this week! Fabulous walk as always, you have left me a bit breathless with the beauty that abounds in your area and your talent in portraying it on your blog for all of us to appreciate. I love the close up of the cormorant and the copper mushrooms.

david mcmahon said...

You have brought nature to life.

Anonymous said...

I love these! They look like a mix of watercolor and impressionism! well worth enlarging!

Indrani said...

How well you have described the autumn both with pictures and with words! The season looks more beautiful to me now. :)
Keep writing, Hilary!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shots.

What a beautiful autumn through your eyes

Sandi McBride said...

I think I love Fall most of all...you get such an array of color and temperatures...it's like all seasons rolled into one...
great post
Sandi

Hilary said...

• Thanks very kindly, Jenn. Much appreciated. :)

• Welcome Faye, and thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed them and hope you'll come back for more. :)

• Terrie, I've seen people collecting them around Frank's place, but I wouldn't know which ones are safe and which are poisonous so I wouldn't risk it. Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Thanks for the very kind words, Tink. I've never considered that.. until now.. nah! ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks muchly, Moi. Your always-kind words are very much appreciated. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Thank you, Carla.. I'm glad you liked them. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks very much, Reb. That means a lot to me coming from you. You're always an ego-booster. :)

• Thanks, David. :)

• Thanks kindly, MT. I might just print off one or two of them. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks for the very encouraging words, Indrani. Very much appreciated. :)

• Thanks very much, Roentarre. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Thanks, Sandi. That's quite true about Fall.. but if you don't mind, I'd rather leave the winter out of mine. ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh Hilary, this is Autumnal bliss at its' best. Shots #2 and 3 are my faves. BEAUTIFUL!

Stevyn Colgan said...

Glorious. My favourite time of the year. The cormorant picture is particularly gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

You have such a way! Very nice!

Zuzana said...

Hilary, I keep checking back for new photographs, you are so very talented.
Thank you for stopping by my place so often and for all your kind comments.
I have tagged you in my recent post, but it is a "picture tagging", so that should be easy for you.:)

Cheffie-Mom said...

BEAUTIFUL photos. This is my favorite time of year. The colors are wonderful.

G said...

D'oh, I just realized you've already been tagged to play "Fourth of the fourth"... so no worries. Hope you play! Your pictures are so wonderful.

http://foodfilmfiction.blogspot.com/2008/10/tagged.html

Anonymous said...

These are so lovely, Hilary. And the soup sounds fantastic.

Woman in a Window said...

Soon? Are you kidding? We've not a leaf left and currently I'm roasting my butt near the fire. Fall has gone and moved on in and let out a big, cold breath!

Loved the walk! I wore mitts.

Pat - Arkansas said...

WOW! You've outdone yourself with this series of photographs, Hilary! In addition, your narrative is absolutely poetic. Beautiful, beautiful! Thanks for taking us along on your stroll.

Kaye Waller said...

I have a little something for you on my latest post...

Zuzana said...

Hilary, no problem at all, please visit soon again.:)

Sandi McBride said...

Congratulations on Post of the Day mention, Hilary...I still love this post, lol!
Sandi

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love these photos. What beautiful colors!

Leslie: said...

Hilary, these are spectacular photos of your province! When we lived in Ottawa, I was stunned by the colours of autumn because here in the west (Vancouver) we do have more green than reds, golds, and oranges. And our summer colours seem to last a bit longer. Yesterday, I went for a walk to take a few photos of the remains of summer and posted some photos. You might enjoy them. Lovely lovely photos (wish I could take a walk there with you) and I really enjoyed your story that went along with them. Cheers!

Hilary said...

* Thanks kindly, MamaGeek. I'm glad you liked them. :)

* Welcome, Stevyn and thanks very much for your kind comment. Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thank you, M. Much appreciated. :)

* Thanks very kindly, Protege. Your warm comments are always appreciated. By now you've read my comment on your blog re the "tag." Thanks for your understanding. :)

* Thank you, Cheffie-mom. I agree that the season sure is a beauty. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks for thinking of me Blog Princess G, but by now you've read my comment on your blog. Thanks for your understanding. :)

* Thanks for stopping by, Kate. Much appreciated. :)

* Thanks for joining my on the walk, WIAW. You were very wise to wear mits. :) That cold air came in with a vengeance! It won't be too long until that horrible white stuff comes along (shiver).

* Thanks so much for your very kind words, Pat. They mean a lot coming from you. Thanks kindly for stopping by. :)

* Thanks very kindly, Steph. I'll grab and display that award when I get home. Much appreciated. :)

* Thank you, Sandi. I'm glad you liked it. :)

* Thanks very much, Sandra. I'm glad you dropped by. :)

* Thanks kindly for stopping by, Leslie. I would love to see B.C. sometime. I know it would be beautiful. Thanks for your kind words. I'll be by to check your post.. post haste! ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh which blog you tried at ?
Well, it goes in for moderation for any newcomers ? SO, first time it'll take time unless I approve them.

If you become regular, they welcome you with open heart. ;)

Anonymous said...

Just to tell you, I have 3 blogs and generally ppl land on my homepage.

From there they can go to any of the thre.

Hilary said...

Thanks, Cuckoo. I've now successfully left a comment on your blog. :)