Oak leaves carpeted the start of the path...
At the park entrance, mums were glowing in yellow and apricot:
Our village park sits on a small peninsula, with a lake around it and a pond in the center. The edge of the pond has been planted with native wildflowers, including milkweed (gone to seed here):
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...which then skirted a cornfield, all dry stalks and tassels rustling in the breeze:
After crossing another field, the trail led through a second small wood before opening out onto the restored prairie:
Dried flowers stood amongst the native grasses:
Frost-proof asters were blooming in pale lavender...
...and deep saturated purple:
A chestnut tree (I think) shone softly bronze:
Mysterious seedpods stood up from the dried grass:
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The next day began a balmy period of sparkling days in which the very air seemed golden, as if filtered through the deepening yellow and honey of aspen, oak and walnut leaves. Sugar maples, not to be outdone, held up branches like flame against deep-blue autumn skies.
On Thursday the 8th, I rode my bike to work on the kind of morning that gives October a good name. The church on the corner was flanked by maples dressed in scarlet and orange:
Outside of town, birch trees shimmered under a pale half-moon (which looked much larger in real life):
I took a little detour to visit a favourite stretch of maples:
When I reached the river trail, the wildflower killer mowing machine was hard at work on the wide verge (alas for the last blossoms sheltering in the tall grass!):
Hours later, I captured my shadow on the ride home:
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On Saturday I walked downtown to pick up our weekly consignment of eggs. The maple trees on the corner were still ablaze:
Back at home, I lingered outside, enjoying the sunshine on the gloriously golden walnut tree towering over the garage:
A sparrow landed on the roof and posed for a photo:
And I couldn't go in without snapping the bouncing patch of volunteer marigolds next to our door:
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On Sunday, the sun disappeared behind a thick blanket of cloud, taking my cycling mojo with it. Instead of riding, I took a walk to the park, along sidewalks covered with a confetti of leaves:
This superb aster was blooming at the lake's edge:
A few steps farther on grew bright Virginia creeper:
And aster, purple and white:
Maple and pine trees line the park road, making for lovely autumn collages like this one:
This week has been rainy and windy, tearing much of the color from the trees. The walnut tree behind the garage is now bare:
Geese and sandhill cranes are gathering on local lakes and in harvest fields, preparing for the long flight to come. The balmy air is gone, and there's an icy bite to the wind.
Tonight we are forecast for below-freezing temps and widespread frost. Earlier in the month, I covered my tomatoes and herbs on frosty nights, hoping to keep them going for a few weeks longer. But now it's time to yield to the inevitable.
This morning I picked all the remaining tomatoes, harvested what I could of the chives and thyme, and heaved one last sigh for the lost summer.
Any ideas for using these green tomatoes?
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