tassels

Windy. Dried tassels of corn in the fields, and dried reeds in the marshes. All that's left of the maple leaves is the leaves at the bottoms of the trees. Sometimes they are the most colorful. After doing this for some time, there don't seem to be many new sights to see. The other day in the parking lot, however, I noticed all the pine needles pointing in the same direction. It must have been caused by the wind.

season of leaves

This is one of my favorites

10/7/09
Cloudy. At this time of year, it's possible to see leaves in a different way. I usually think that the natural state for leaves is for them to be attached to a tree. But now that seems as sensible as saying the natural state for a horse is for it to be tethered to a hitching post. It seems that leaves only reveal themselves, show their "leafiness" when they are finally liberated from their moorings on the ends of branches.

On a windy day, it gladdens the heart to watch them chase each other down the road. They seem to be in such a hurry to get to wherever it is they think they're going. It is uplifting to drive under a cloud of leaves released by the wind from tall trees. They resemble a swarm of butterflies heading south for the winter.

On a calm, New England morning, when the time is right, they just calmly melt off the trees, and drop softly to the ground, like hot wax dripping off a candle. Some of the leaves even seem to have figured out that they would be better off indoors, out of the cold and damp. They congregate outside our front door at home, waiting to get in. Quite a number of them do make it inside. One can find them happily ensconced on the door mat in the kitchen at home, and in hallways and offices at work.

titmouse

out the back door

Rainy. Crackling of dried leaves in the driveway. We've had more mosquitoes this fall than ever before. Don't know if it's because of the wet weather, the lack of bats, or both. The tufted titmouse nest has fallen from the ledge above my office. If past is prologue, she'll be back in the spring.

Maple leaf falling down,

showing front,

showing back.

Ryokan

peak

Rainy. Yesterday I had to drive to Springfield, Mass. on business. On the way back I realized that people come from all over the world, and pay a lot of money to experience what we were living. The leaves were at peak, seemingly aflame in red, yellow, and orange. By and large we live in a backwater here on the other side of the creek, but there's no question that the fall foliage here is some of the best in the world.

moon shadows

Back from the wedding. It was wonderful. Afterwards we were visited by the Montana Kahles here on the other side of the creek. The full moon, the "Hunter's" moon was only a day away so we took a walk in the moonlight. We brought flashlights, but we really didn't need them. Moon shadows and yellow maple leaves visible in the soft silvery glow. Sound of an owl from deep in the woods. Cam asked if I had any bear spray. It was great to have them. They are headed to Boston, Connecticut, and then New York City. It's a trip they'll remember all their lives

champagne

Clear. Heading to Buffalo for the wedding. Return of polar air. The sky has a clear and sparkling quality, like champagne. Jen was wearing her wool hat to the sitting the other day. Another sure sign that summer is over. Pine needles on the walkway at work. Pine trees shed their needles just like the deciduous varieties.

double digits

Getting into the double digit months on the calendar. Yellow band of color to be seen along the tops of the Green Mountains now. The foliage season seems a little late this year, but it has begun. The nest of the tufted titmouse has fallen from its moorings on the ledge outside my office. If history is any guide, she will return in the spring to the same spot.