Happy Halloween

Halloween makes me so nostalgic. What a great holiday for a kid! The one day a year you get to totally ditch all of the rules: Be respectful. Don't be greedy. Don't ask for things. Don't eat too much candy. Don't go out after dark. Don't talk to strangers. All gone for one day. On Halloween, you get to disguise yourself, threaten people "Trick or treat," and demand that strangers give you candy--in the dark! Honestly, one of the greatest days of the year as a kid. (Also in the running: Christmas and the last day of school.)

More of the Unknown

I still don't know what plant this is, but it's still tempting me...

Empty Nest

The other day when I was walking home, I saw this birds' nest lying on the ground. I brought it home so I could look at it up close and maybe take a picture of it. (Done!) It really looks like it takes a lot of work to make one of these. The raw materials, design and craftsmanship are all very impressive. Well done birds, well done!

As Usual

I'm a complete ignoramus when it comes to knowing what kind of plant I'm taking pictures of. This one is no exception. There are several of these plants in the neighborhood, ranging in size from about a foot off the ground to one that's well over twelve feet tall. I am completely mesmerized by these berries. The colors range from green to red and they just have the coolest texture. If they're in range of my camera, they'd better get ready for their close-up, because I will be taking their picture.

More Monochrome

Here is another non-Fall color picture from Saturday. (I tried to have all three of these photos in the same post, but Blogger denied me!)

Detail of grass along SW Lander:

Monochrome

Here are two pictures I took on Saturday that have absolutely nothing to do with glorious Fall colors.


Detail of peeling paint on retaining wall along Admiral Way:









Detail of bamboo fence (also) along Admiral:

Reasons to Ride

One of the reasons I enjoy riding Metro is the opportunity to eavesdrop. Where else would I have heard the following snippet of conversation?

"So we were in class today when someone casually mentioned a Zombie Apocalypse..."

I have no corresponding photo for this...consider yourselves lucky!

So Many Leaves

So little time. Actually, today was the first day in quite awhile that I didn't have do anything at a specific time. Nothing scheduled. It was great. I cooked off and on throughout the day, did some chores that I'd been putting off and still found time to go for a walk and take in all of the color. (And blog about it too.)

The Story from the Sidewalk

Hey, guess what? It's Fall. I love the colors and the scattered distribution of leaves and berries.

The Stand

While I was walking around today, taking in the beauty that is a sunny afternoon in October, with light streaming through unbelievably colored leaves on the trees--I looked down and discovered this cute little cluster of mushrooms poking through the moss on someone's parking strip.

The Best of Saturday

This is my favorite shot from Saturday. I was walking back toward our house from Richie Viewpoint, admiring the modern architecture of one of my favorite houses fronting the park, when for some reason, I turned back around toward the water and saw this. It may look like a forest, but it's just some of my favorite grass with a very dramatic and moody sky as a backdrop.

Soaked!

Yet another shot from Saturday. If you look closely at this shot, you can see what is basically a small puddle at the center of the flower. (I told you it rained a lot that day!)

Dahlia


In full bloom:











About ready to bust:

Bark!

These shots are from Saturday, once it had finally stopped raining for good.

Deer Pumpkin

I thought the stem on this pumpking looked a little bit like a deer sporting some big antlers.

Color of the Day

I diced up a bunch of carrots for a batch of Bolognese sauce, and while it was simmering on the stove, I walked for a few blocks and found (among other things) these orange flowers.

What Is It?

I don't know, but it sure looks cool! It's on growing on a plant across the street from us-- in the backyard of one of the neighborhood's top gardeners.

More Fall Colors

Not exclusive to nature either...this VW is sporting quite a few fall colors too.

It's Happening...

Fall. Look at these colors: