Monday, November 9, 2015

Nearing Autumn's End at the Ditch

The rainy, cloudy moods of autumn are moving in and our trees are beginning to drop their color, bit by bit. Still bright in patches, there are more bare branches with every day. Before it all disappeared, it was time for a walk to the ditch.


But on this day, the sun was high, the sky blue and it was a perfect way to say "goodbye."



The ducks were plentiful, of course.


Going around any bend one would see a splash of color.


And it was no different when looking up! Or out!

                  

Of course I was hoping for a guest appearance by our resident Harry the Heron and I wasn't disappointed.


I suspect his mental calendar is a bit topsy turvy with this extra-warm autumn!



He was prancing around like he owned the place. And I guess he does!



The lighting was odd -- when I stood in one spot, the water was brown and you could see every lily pad.


But when you shot from a different direction, into the light, the backlighting offered a shimmery blue and silver.


I may see him again this fall, but chances are likely he'll be taking off soon for a warmer climate.


If you see Harry down in your neck of the woods, say hello for me!

22 comments:

Mae Travels said...

Hi Jeanie,
Lovely photos. Amazing how quiet the colors are now.

You'll be happy to know that Harry might actually stick around for the winter, though not necessarily in the exact spot. Check this map of great blue heron migration ... Michigan is in the "year round" part: http://seagrant.wisc.edu/birds/images/great_blue_heron_migration.gif

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Hi, Jeanie! It's good to be here again. I finally came back to blogging, and it feels so good to make the rounds of my bloggy friends. These are gorgeous photos--the light in them is the light of late fall and so pretty. We have had a very wet fall and a lot of warm weather. The leaves just haven't been as pretty as they usually are.

Anonymous said...

Harry, the Heron - what a gorgeous bird!

Esme said...

Hard to believe fall could be ending. We are just getting cool weather here. The colours are so pretty.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Beautiful photos! I always enjoy seeing what Harry is up to! We have had a gorgeous fall, too, and it looks like the week ahead won't be bad either. I will be happy as long as I see 50s in the forecast as it could be snowing at this point of the year!!

Sally Wessely said...

It was such a treat to see your photos. Everything is so beautiful. Is this really just an old ditch you walk beside? I know it is, but it sure looks like a nice stream or creek. Ditches out here don't look that good. Actually, we have few ditches in Colorado Springs where water is at a premium. We have a few creeks, and even a couple of rivers.

The photos of Harry are stunning. I love the different views you gave us of him. I look forward to seeing him next spring.

anno said...

It's always a treat to see Harry, especially in you gorgeous photos. We don't see herons around here very much, but we have had a lot of sandhill cranes this year... and the fall color has been more on the delicate side. Nice to see the rich color you are enjoying.

Marilyn Miller said...

Farewell Harry the Heron, enjoy your travels south. How lovely to have the ditch nearby to walk around. What a treat.

The French Hutch said...

I see why Harry waits so long to leave his beautiful summer home! Chances are he may come this way and I will wave for you. Beautiful photographs Jeannie. It's always a little hard seeing our glorious "Indian summers" end. It's been so dry and everything looked terrible but now after all the rain and a bit cooler temperatures the lawn has turned green and it looks like fall.
Have a great day……...

shoreacres said...

We're finally starting to see just a bit of color, and the coots are arriving: a sure sign of fall. I've told the egrets to move over. Harry's on his way!

Joanne Huffman said...

The muted colors still show beautifully in the golden light. I'm enjoying every minute of this beauty and this weather because I know it will not last. Great photos.

Kitty said...

I have never seen a heron at (or in) the pool in our park, but if he should stop by (you never know), I will definitely say "hi" for you. Safe travels for Harry and wonderful warm days for you and Rick. Love to you both. And lots of snow for skiing

Anonymous said...

Hi Jeanie! Oh, what gorgeous snaps and that heron is just beautiful! I love these shore birds! Thanks for popping in to see me and hope you're having a good week.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Victoria Zigler said...

I'm glad you were able to enjoy a nice walk before the colours all disappear for the Winter. I'm also glad you got to see Harry before he set off on his Winter travels.

Becca said...

This area is so beautiful, thanks for sharing these glimpses of fall. I enjoy the colors so much more than I ever did. This year everything was so vibrant for so long! Loved it, and hated to say goodbye to it all...

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hello dearest jeanie! I saw a blue herring the other day at the lake as well. What a great view!

Jenny Woolf said...

Sometimes winter has its own beauty, if the weather is fine or dramatic. I'm very much of a Spring person though.

Bella Rum said...

I love that next-to- the-last shot of Harry the Heron. The last one is neat, too.
Oh, okay, they are all great. I like your ditch. We always have herons and snowy egrets at my brother's. Maybe I'll see Harry there at Thanksgiving.

Beate said...

Wow! These fall colours are SO beautiful! I really love fall this year, the temperature is nice and we got to enjoy the colours and the weather to the fullest :)
Harry the heron is amazing. You got some really nice shots there :) :)
I hope you are having an amazing week! Sending lots of hugs to you,
Beate

psychelyn said...

You have a beautiful fall. Ours is not as beautiful this year. It just started snowing in October and became cold. The leaves started falling without even turning yellow or red.

Tracy said...

There is something poignant about these last weeks befor winter takes over. The last dashes of color, the qualities of the colors in the sky... You've had a really lovely autumn there! And always a treat to see Harry! ;o) Happy weekend, Jeanie! ((HUGS))

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Good Morning Jeanie!
If Harry the Heron comes South, send him my way. I am very fond of birds and enjoy watching them and observing their varying personalities! We have a pond close by and I am certain he would enjoy wintering here in Texas.
Thank you for this walk among the glorious changing colors as Fall sheds her cloak for another season.
Happy Friday!
xo
Jemma

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