Signs Can Say So Much

Signs, of course, say things to me. Yep, that’s what they’re there for. But signs say so much more than their intention. I have a whole section of photographs devoted to just signs. This is one of those that I’ve captured over the years – from 21 years ago, during a trip to New Mexico.

I adore eating in Mexican restaurants but I take it from this sign, that this place closed many years before this image was taken.

Surely, after taking this picture, I had a delicious meal. Somewhere else.

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Fractals In The Garden

An incredibly beautiful vegetable. And delicious too. It tastes like broccoli which might be my favorite vegetable, just a bit more mild tasting. This is Romanesco (Brassica oleracea ‘Romanesco’). In the autumn, Pedro, of Saint Isidore Homestead & Permaculture, carries this at the Greene Farmers Market.

This fascinating plant was developed by using traditional cross-breeding during the 15th century in Italy.

A fun example of fractals containing the Fibonacci sequence. To my eyes, totally enchanting.

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Blueberry Red

Each season holds special qualities with Blueberry bushes. In the autumn, the leaves are right up there in their intensity. Right up there with all the other leaves here in the woods, celebrating another spectacular season.

From lovely blooms in spring to yummy berries in summer. A color celebration in autumn. Red branches, buds waiting in winter.

Each season makes me gleeful to have Blueberry bushes to share with the birds that love those berries as much as I do.

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No Leaves Left

Our autumn is now past its peak. The wind has come through in a rage, taking not just the leaves but some branches and trees as well.

Here, sitting in a Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is an Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe).

Dogwoods are so beautiful all year long. With their leaves gone and the berries still there, that adds up to extra beauty.

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Yoga Moth

Yesterday at yoga I noticed something high up on the wall, near the ceiling. It looked like a bit of a smudge. I wondered how it got there, but didn’t give it another thought. Today that smudge turned into a moth. A yoga moth, or in the real world, a Dot-Lined White Moth (Artace cribrarius).

Thanks to my teacher’s gentle action, the moth was quickly released to the outside world where it will feel more at home. And speaking of home, they’re native from northern Argentina to the Caribbean into the United States. In the US they’re found in a broad swath of the South and the Mid-Atlantic states. Their host plants are Oaks (Quercus), Cherry (Prunus) and Rose (Rosa).

I wish I had a photograph of the caterpillar to show you as well. The adult moth looks like a fuzzy, stuffed toy of a moth. The caterpillar looks the same way, in a Lhasa Apso sort of way.

Yoga, and another new moth for me.

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A Symbol Of Halloween

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). One smart bird. Smart enough to use tools to accomplish tasks. They remember human faces and mimic sounds.

I have conversations with them, although I have no idea what I’m saying since I don’t have knowledge of the language of the Crows. When I do start a conversation with one crow, others seem to gather. Hmmm. Is that a good sign or a bad sign?

Nice to have these birds around.

Friends.

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The Last Leaf On The Dogwood

There was just ONE leaf left on the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) out by the pond yesterday. This morning. This afternoon, still it held on. Then came the cold front. Dark clouds as sunset approached. Wild winds. And then darkness of the night.

Tomorrow morning autumn leaves will be scattered all over the ground. Leaves that will protect larvae of butterflies and moths from the cold of winter.

I expect one of those leaves will be the one last leaf from the Dogwood out by the pond. Crimson with hints of scarlet, finally falling with the other leaves.

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Soon To Let Go

Soon to let go. Soon to drop to the ground. Soon to be bare branches with buds of flowers at the tips. Flowers to bloom six months from now. All set to go. Just waiting for the perfect time. Time for the blooms of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) to open and delight.

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Not Blue But Lavender

A common name for this Aster is Blue Wood Aster. It’s not a blue flower but pale purple or lavender. I choose not to use that name but rather another common name, Heartleaf Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium). I’m seeing these precious puffs of lavender all along the gravel road going up the mountain. A perfect accent color for the warm glow of oranges, reds and yellows – leaves that are decorating my world right now.

An added bonus in this photograph, there is a Northern Walking Stick (Diapheromera fermorata) hanging on to the flowers. Walking sticks make me think of dinosaurs, and they are indeed mighty old. They’ve been around for 126 million years.

I hope YOU are enjoying this autumn as much as I am. These colors are inspirational!

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Rearview Mirror

They have been gone now, a bit more than a month. Looking at us through their rearview mirrors. An incredibly beautiful bird of blue, the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea).

Flying, perhaps with a planisphere under one of its wings, since it flies at night, using the stars to find its way to its destination. Their winter home will be somewhere between the southern tip of Florida and northern South America.

Wishing them a good winter. I will be looking forward to seeing them again next spring. The returning sight of bright blue will bring joy to my heart.

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