Monday, October 5, 2020

A Belated Farewell to Summer

Hello bloggy friends and readers! Happy October to you all.

Summer is well and truly over in Wisconsin. After what seemed like weeks of grey skies and heavy rain, we've now had several nights of frost. Soon the green and growing things will fall asleep for the winter, but in my photo files the flowers of August and September still bloom.

I'm sorry to be so late in posting these. After getting my book published, I fell into a long creative slump which included photo-editing burnout and a deep reluctance to write. (The state of our nation didn't help.) Now that the book dust has settled, I hope my blogging mojo will return.

So today's post will be short on words, and heavy on flowers - but that's a good thing, right? :)

August

From left, purple loosestrife, nodding onion, and ironweed, all growing along the Wisconsin River:

Found on country roads, clockwise from left, whorled milkweed, horsemint in bloom, flowering spurge:

Clockwise from upper left, knapweed, Queen Anne's Lace, wild chicory with red clover, Butter-and-Eggs (yellow toadflax):


A short evening ride with Mr. M, our shadows flying before us:


The photos in the next three collages were all taken on one glorious late-August ride, in which I found oodles of flowers.

Clockwise from upper left, wild sunflower (with Pennsylvania leatherwing beetle), boneset, cattail with purple loosestrife, Joe-Pye weed:


I was thrilled to find an entire field of prairie blazing star:



Also seen on this ride, clockwise from upper left, water hemlock (I think), goldenrod, pale pink thistle, and spiderwort:


Late in August, I rode to work one morning under soft clear skies...


...and rode home that afternoon with the sound of thunder ringing in my ears (just made it before the massive storm broke over our village):



The last ride of August included pumpkins in a field, pussytoes bursting into bloom, and Amish barns under blue-and-white skies:


September

Evening primrose, aster, and my own shadow along the river trail:


On a quiet road, a hint of the color to come:


Late September brought more colorful trees, lavender aster, and golden soybean fields:

One last photo, taken from the car on the last day of September, when a stunningly vivid double rainbow arched over the town where I work, fading and reappearing several times. I caught the last of it on my drive home that evening:

Next week I'll post some (more timely) October photos.

~

I hope you're doing well. If you live where there are fires, may you have protection and clear air. If hurricanes or storms have passed your way, may your home be intact and free from flooding. If you live in an area of conflict and unrest, may you have peace and safety. May all of us stay as healthy as we can, and willingly take care to guard the health of those around us.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

20 comments:

  1. So many beautiful flowers on your lovely outings and even tdhe start of a rainbow too! Very well done to know all those names of the flowers!
    I have also been putting off doing a new blog entry, now I feel encouraged to do so!
    I shall look forward to seeing your October entry!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra! I hope you post something soon.

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  2. Sometimes you just can't bring yourself to write the words won't flow I know the feeling I think we all do, and photos can say so much more than words, yours are stunning I love seeing all the beautiful wildflowers you encounter on your rides and your knowledge of them is most impressive. xx

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I've been enjoying your crochet project posts.

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  3. Your lovely pictures are a true breath of fresh air to a tired world full of chaos. Thank you for your lovely pictures sweet friend. The words may not flow, but your creative heart is always there...crochet, knit, and picture taking...it's always there. Sending ((hugs)) and prayers your way. :)

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  4. I love your plant identification posts. My boneset is still blooming. Allison , has an app that tell her botanicals and trees. But it didnt know clockweed, which we loved at the OKC gardens.

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    1. Wow, it must have been warmer down by you. Our boneset has been done for a while now!

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  5. Thank you for taking us along on your bike rides and sharing all the wonderful wildflowers in your area. I'm a wildflower aficionado so this ticks my boxes. We're having gorgeous weather here, too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thanks, Teresa! I always enjoy your flower posts too.

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  6. All the best to you. Oh my, what is happening on the planet? I'm more than concerned. Whatever will come out of the election, I think it will be bad. Regula

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  7. It is nearly the end of the day here in Europe and your bike ride visuals were just perfect to look at and enjoy. What an abundance of wildflowers you have in your area and what a treat to catch a double rainbow in the background of your photo. We are supposed to be receiving Storm Alex anyday now.....it is that time of the year when this area of Spain gets the storms and sometimes floods! Bring it on the earth is gasping for rain. Keep well Amanda x

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    1. I hope Storm Alex was milder than expected! But I also hope you got the rain you need.

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  8. Your book is AMAZING and there are kudos coming down the pike!

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  9. Such beautiful pictures! You are so lucky. Makes me want to move to Wisconsin!

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    1. If you ever do please let me know so we can get together! Meanwhile enjoy your warm Georgia winters.

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  10. Oh, beautiful blooms! Our autumn is being coy at the moment, one foot in, one foot out, but we're hoping to entice him to stay. He is very welcome.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you, Amalia! I hope autumn comes softly and lingers long for you.

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