October

278/365: top of the ridge, autumn

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.
–  Nathaniel Hawthorne

26.2

274/365: long shadows near mile  19

Sunday was the Twin Cities Marathon – always a festive occasion in Minneapolis but extra special this year because Brad ran it!! Despite in juries & training setbacks along the way, he gutted it out the full 26.2 miles and managed to have a smile on his face every time we saw him.  He’s not in this photo – one of the few I snapped all day – every time I saw him I was way too excited to think about my camera!

Way to go, babe. You did it and we couldn’t be more proud.

fall palette in motion

273/365: blue sky / yellow leaves

An autumnal companion to this spring reflection. I never tire of the play of light, color, and movement on the water. This image to me shines with all the intensity of a bright, sunny fall day, full of unbelievably intense color.

tickled pink

261/365: annabelle hydrangea turning pink

I guess it’s her little secret as to why, but something has our old-fashioned white hydrangea blushing positively pink…

seasons change

259/365: autumn assemblage

New colors are seeping into the landscape to break up the endless waves of green.

I’m ready.

fine lines

256/365: clematis seeds

The Virgin’s Bower clematis is an aggressive vine. Covered with small white, star-shaped flowers in summer, by early fall the whole vine is a hairy mess of seeds. I can’t help thinking of truffula tufts (or a raging case of bed head).

They have a certain disheveled charm. Then, after a while, they just look messy. It’s a fine line.

beautiful mess, part two (autumn)

255/365: early autumn riot

This image expresses the tangled mess of nature and the absolute profusion of life that exists anywhere the natural world is left undisturbed if even a small space or a limited time. The energy and chaos and intermingling of so many different life forms, colors, textures – to me this is what nature is all about. It’s not an idealized concept of ‘landscape’ but it’s very real. For me, these scenes are full of hope – a testament to the how strong, robust & resilient nature can really be.

see ‘beautiful mess, part one’ here.

coming attractions

233/365: korean maple, late summer

In the dog days of summer, there are hints of a new season waiting in the wings. We feel it in the cool of the morning air, the gathering dark of the evening, and the urge to turn on the oven instead of firing up the grill.