Saturday, February 1, 2014

Flowers, Foliage and Friends

Every now and then I have a bunch of photos left on my hard drive which never got posted in their time. These were taken during my last couple of weeks living at my old home. The weather stayed warmer there and flowers lasted longer than they did up here. It was as if summer had lived on when everywhere else had turned to autumn.

So enjoy a reprieve of the season with these summer-like images before yet another snowfall arrives. There's a big one due today.

forsythia budding in October
When forsythia are in bloom, we usually know that spring has finally arrived. This typically occurs in April or May. The unusual thing about this particular plant is that it was photographed in partial bloom on the 17th of October. Don't try telling the blossoms or ants that they're out of season. It doesn't appear that they would believe you anyway.





spindleberries in sunlight
The spindle berry is one flower which is at its peak during the autumn season. This bud is green throughout the summer and slowly turns pink in early autumn. It eventually splits open to reveal the bright orange berry which fades very slowly throughout the winter. You can often see the orange seed wearing a snowy winter coat well into February. Right now, in this October 29th image, they're at their colourful prime.





chicory in autumn
One of my favourite wildflowers it chicory. Its brilliant blue petals contrast nicely with the autumn leaves behind it. This too, was near the end of October.





late bloomers
Pretty pink flowers which kept blooming late into October at a local butterfly garden.





wabukayne gold3
Maple leaves shine brilliantly against the deepening blue sky.





october holdout
Another sweet yellow October holdout.







And the sunflower - a little worse for wear but always lovely from every angle.





morning glory2
One of my favourite vine-growers - the morning glory. I think I'll have to plant some of these next year.





Without petals
Even flowers which have lost their petals can be lovely in autumn.






wabukayne oak
The mighty oak is especially beautiful in October.






decorative cabbage
A decorative cabbage catches the sunlight and produces a brilliant magenta glow.





autumn fluff
I don't know what it's called but it's fluffy and wispy and it caught my eye.





fiery leaves
Backlit by the sun, these leaves almost seem to be able to catch its fire.





lady bug on the boardwalk3
A tiny ladybug making her way along the boards of the pond's dock. This was one of the last walks I took at my old place.





so long neighbour
My ex-neighbour (that still tugs at the heart) and still-good-friend Caroline's house. I already miss our morning walks and chats and our weekend drinks and laughs. I think you're overdue for another visit up here, Caroline!

That's it for now. More coming up soon.


60 comments:

Indrani said...

Lovely focus and capture of light!
Enjoyed this series of yours.

steviewren said...

My favorite photo of this grouping is the sunflower....the angle, the backlighting, the forms, it sings to me.

Anonymous said...

lovely to see colour in the garden on a day when we will be getting lots of snow

DJan said...

Ahhhh.... basking in the October sunshine and beautiful flowers and leaves. I especially love the chicory in front of the fence, but then again, they are all beautiful. Thank you, Hilary. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

Your leftovers are very appealing.

TexWisGirl said...

i have no doubt that you left behind some great neighbors/friends and some wonderful, warm memories of that place. thanks for sharing these beauties, although i sort of had a lump in my throat viewing them. i've always been sentimental about homes i've left...

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

So many beautiful images here. Can't believe you found a forsythia blossom in October. The chicory looked a little worse for wear but still pretty. I think my favorite of this set is the third from last, the backlit leaves. I almost feel homesick about leaving this place myself, after all reading so many of your posts from there. :)

Lisa Gordon said...

These are all so pretty, Hilary!
You know, it's strange, because our forsythia bloomed twice last year. Once in April, as usual, and then again in late September. Very unusual.

Have a great weekend!

messymimi said...

If you hadn't moved to an equally lovely place, i'd be horrified that you left such beauty behind!

Maybe you can visit down there sometimes, too, and catch some of your favorite old haunts.

Mage said...

I love your stuff. I'm viewing it on my oblong laptop screen which changes your cropping and my perception. Not bad, but interesting.

Out on the prairie said...

Lovely colors, not that far away.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I always enjoy your "catch up" photos. A mix of subjects but always with your lovely view of where you are. The ladybug just made me smile. I look forward to seeing them again....come warmer weather. Oma Linda

Gail Dixon said...

Hilary, that morning glory seems to be glowing! All the photos are a welcome sight during this long, hard winter we're having. Yes, even us. I hope you get to see your friend soon!

Rosaria Williams said...

The way you capture the light, the shades, the beauty of each object...

Pat - Arkansas said...

Beautiful, as usual! I especially like the maple and oak leaves -- glorious!

stephen Hayes said...

Your pictures remind me of just how eager I am for a change of weather and blooming flowers.

Anonymous said...

I miss my good friend and neighbor that I walked with as well. We still see them, but it was so much nicer when they were right down the street before we moved last year. *sigh*

Brian Miller said...

sigh...lovely pics...its finally warmed here today so your flowers fit perfect...its to snow on monday...ha...but for today i will dream of spring...

Birdie said...

We are not having much of a winter here in the west and the other day I saw a bee. I have never seen a bee in January!

ellen abbott said...

I am so over winter, it's been a hard one this year with lots of hard freezes so nothing much has wintered over. These are some great shots.

Red said...

It's good of you to remind us of better days. it gives us a little hope for spring. You had an amazing number of plants still in bloom.

Rob-bear said...

Visions of other seasons. So delightful in the world of cold and snow. I'll b waiting for such visions in a warmer part of the year.

Blessings and Bear hugs

Ruth Hiebert said...

You always come up with the most beautiful images,no matter what time of year.

Anita said...

Right now, those images seem like they're from another planet! :)

Colorful and beautiful!

Barbara said...

Thank you for this breath of spring! I'm so tired of gray and drab.

CIN&BUD said...

Great Photos!

Daryl said...

thanks for that reminder of warmer times .. did you get snow? we're due to get it tomorrow ..

A Cuban In London said...

Morning glory. That pretty much sums up your post although I'm reading it at night! :-)

Greetings from London.

yaya said...

A feast for these snow blinded eyes! You'll find new trails and new subjects to make us swoon at your new home. Thanks for a look back! Was that lady bug the stinky orange ones that bite? Oh well, she was pretty!

Mimi said...

What a coincidence! I just posted 3 photos that I found on my laptop!
Mind you, they're nothing like as nice as these Hilary.
It's so nice to see flowers, as the wind roars outside my door - we've a storm here, cold but no snow :(

My favourite of these is that stunning row of leaves, like washing hung out to dry, but boy don't they pick up the sun's rays?

Slamdunk said...

Thanks for the color Hilary. I am refusing to believe what that groundhog saw yesterday and instead cheering that everyone's flowers will be here before I know it.

Sharon Wagner said...

Fall leftovers are appreciated right about now.

Linda said...

Loved the flora and fauna and your last walk around your old neighborhood. We have plants and flowers that bloom out of season, too.

Leah J. Utas said...

That was lovely and so very welcome.

photowannabe said...

Delicious photos of Fall and Flowers.
I really love the backlit one of the leaves...but how does one choose? they are all gorgeous.
Really though, I don't have to choose. I can keep looking at all of them.
It is hard to be missing old friends. I hope Caroline can visit you soon.

Unknown said...

So pretty!

And the ladybug... for some reason I just adore ladbugs, thanks for that!

lime said...

forsythia in october. bizarre!

but i think the golden oak leaves are the loveliest of this set. the yellow and blue...ah, just makes me feel warm and happy on this cold day.

Rita said...

These look especially glorious in the middle of frozen, white winter. :)
Don't lose touch with your friend. ;)

SandyCarlson said...

Hilary,
The colors are so rich, intense. The light and life of the autumn come through in these and take the chill off the evening. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Love those golden leaves! A delicious series of shots.

Unknown said...

What lovely photographs. They are really warming in this cold.

Dianne said...

really love the ladybug
you have a way of capturing detail and color and light that is magical Hilary

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful colouring photos Hilary.

Kat said...

Just the pictures I need right now to remind me that eventually this winter will pass.
What gorgeous flowers! That spindle berry is my absolute favorite! I just love the pink and orange together. Gorgeous!

Suldog said...

I love the amount of detail in the ladybug shot. Thanks for the nice warm photos. The snow has begun here - we're expecting from 6 inches to a foot - and I have never wanted so badly to see Spring and Summer. Maybe it's my advancing age, but this has been the coldest winter in my memory.

holdingmoments said...

Welcome colour on a dull wintry day here. Beautiful.

Jenn Jilks said...

These are inspiring, Hilary! On another snow day.

Tough week this week. Ill hubby and my ex-husband died yesterday. My poor kids.
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Glo said...

You are a master of delight, with the light just right! Lovely to see some autumn colours again...truly enjoyed your photos.

Betty Manousos said...

absolutely gorgeous photos. those leaves backlit by the sun are just fabulous! what a great start to the day.

big hugs~

Magia da Inês said...

♡♡⊱ Olá!

Belíssima série de fotos. Amei a primeira e a terceira.
Boa quinta-feira!
Beijinhos.
° ·.♫° ·.

Magia da Inês said...

♡♡⊱ Olá!

Belíssima série de fotos. Amei a primeira e a terceira.
Boa quinta-feira!
Beijinhos.
° ·.♫° ·.

Friko said...

Beautiful reminders of what will be in about 9 months’ time.

I’d like to have spring and summer first, please.

Laura said...

So much beauty here Hilary… and I'm enjoying the crystalline sparkles on my roof this afternoon too. Every season has its blessed treasured moments. You are such an amazing photographer, I love the way you see and share with us… just the right amount of focused detail and softness.

Unknown said...

Hilary: Such a beautiful journey, as I remember you mentioning these photos.:)

Haddock said...

Wonderful pictures of nature. Yes backlit pictures stand out anytime.

Unknown said...

Quality pictures!! Nice photography..

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Nice to see Spring again. Nice shots.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Jenn Jilks said...

Back to look again. These are cheerful sights! I won't repeat myself this time!

Sandi McBride said...

After weeks of snow and ice and the green meanie blahs this was such a pleasure...hope Caroline gets up there soon!
hugs
Sandi

Chicken said...

Fall leaves always move me. The sight, the smell. What is it about fall?