Change of Seasons

"All of the pink flowers are gone, but look at these," said the man in the orange shirt, walking a milk chocolate brown chihuahua.

He was pointing to the golden rod -- that often maligned flower -- or weed -- that comes out when the nights get cooler and fall is in the air.

We were walking around the ditch -- he had gone one way, I the other. And somewhere along the way we passed and exchanged pleasantries, as all the ditch walkers do. He was captivated by something -- something in the goldenrod and was eager to point it out. A grasshopper. At least that's what we thought it was -- although he didn't move a muscle for all the time we were standing there.

I admired that -- it was rather difficult to photograph him with a few fairly gusty breezes whipping him around. But he stubbornly remained.

The ditch takes its own character in the early fall. There are more lily pads, but the flowers have gone.

My white heron had returned, fishing for dinner.

Harry wasn't happy to see her and quickly flew away.

But she stuck around, looking for fish and finding a few, too.

The ducks were having a time of it, looking for food...

...and just looking cute!

The light changes and almost every scene seemed like the inspiration for a painting by Monet.

My orange-shirted friend is right -- there are new flowers out. The seedems are turning pink now -- I love these handsome blooms.

I don't know what these are, but their dark red cone-like flowers seem to be the very essence of fall.

Signs of fall are even coming to the leaves on the trees.
 A sure sign.

Berried branches seem all the more vibrant in the end of summer light.

My own yard is showing signs of wear. today I bid farewell to much of the basil, turning into a rather tasty pesto. And the sunflowers? They're looking good in the new little teapot I bought from Marilyn. I suspect I'll be enjoying these quite some time.

Things are changing for me, too. I retired yesterday, after more than 32 years at WKAR. I have lots to post about on this, some self indulgent, some reflecting, some with much gratitude... that's coming soon.