Friday, September 23, 2011

HELLOOOOO, AUTUMN!

On the way back from the eye doc's yesterday, I stopped at a little prairie patch up the road, where I made this photo of a southbound monarch nectaring atop a goldenrod.  

Whoopee! Autumn is officially here and summer but a receding memory. Still, truth be told, the new season could have done a bit better with its premiere—a bit of blue sky, some sunshine, maybe a nice little breeze to rustle the drying leaves and blow the last wisps of the previous three months well away.

Instead, the temperature is currently 53˚F; it has been raining since just after midnight; and the morning sky didn't so much embrace the dawn as it did turn—reluctantly and by only a few degrees—from soppy black to a dingy gray the shade of an old wool sock. 

Not the finest fall debut I've ever witnessed. But I'll take it and be glad, for I know better days are a'comin'. 

HELLOOOOOO, AUTUMN!
———————

8 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

I hope your prediction is true Grizz - it is cold and wet here too.

George said...

A truly great photo, Grizz, beautifully composed and awe-inspiring. I'm in route from North Carolina to Maryland and you can definitely see the changes — however subtle at this point — in the foliage. May this fall and this day be among your best!

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

I'm not sure about your corner of the world, but here you can always count on the first half of autumn to serve up some of the finest weather of the year—bright sunshine, crisp blue skies, cool nights, foggy mornings, colored leaves, and long, ragged strings of geese winging their way south, calling as they travel. I love these autumn days and really look forward to them.

Grizz………… said...

George…

You've certainly picked a great time to be on the road. I love North Carolina, coastal, piedmont, mountains—though you're about three weeks early for much leaf color. Still, lovely country any time of the year.

Thank you re. photo. My vision was badly messed up when I made the shot, but the autofocus came through. It came out better than I deserved.

Have a safe trip, my friend…

Robin said...

Oh, yes! The sky was amazing today with all kinds of moods.

Love fall as much as you do.

And what a beautiful photo.

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

Thank you re.pix. And you're right, if you love the outdoors—even just looking at the sky and leaves and countryside out a window—you gotta love fall; it's the most spectacular of the seasons.

I know with that big lake at your doorstep to influence the weather, you must have some amazing skies.

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ- your picture is so lovely and the colors are true and natural as they reflect summer's end. Here, Summer is hanging on with this horrid tropical mist and humidity - we need the A/C on to dry out the wetness in the house - cooler Autumn temps are promised by weeks end - I sure hope so because such weather makes managing MS a bigger challenge. No complaints though - as this too shall pass.

Have a wonderful Sunday.
Loving you in all weather,
Gail
peace.....

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

It's nice here today, shirt-sleeve cool, a perfect fall afternoon, although it's now starting to cloud up; rain is predicted for tonight and through Tuesday.

We picked up a truckload of wood from a neighbor yesterday, then began a new woodstack with that and another couple of loads we got last week. We were going to get another load for our growing stack today, but my back is in bad shape, I have no energy, and Myladlove is pretty sore, too—so no more wood today. Just general yard work, some sawing, brush picking, etc. Maybe a fire in the chiminea later on. We're too decrepit for much more.

Hope it cools off for you. Regardless, take care of yourself.