I think it will be an early winter as the leaves on my trees started turning the end of August this year. The colored leaves are pretty and I enjoy autumn but I sure hope the trees are wrong and that winter will be late coming and a short one.
Autumn Too Soon
After watching more snow falling and blowing today, I decided I much rather see falling and blowing leaves, even though that would mean winter is around the corner and I sure don’t want a longer winter as this one has been long enough. But a warm, sunny fall day would be great about now as leaves on the road is easier to deal with than snow on the road.
Fallen Leaves Line the Road
I rather listen to the leaves rustling in the breeze than the rattle of icy branches covered in ice and seeing the duller colors of oak leaves is still more colorful than the snowy limbs.
Autumn Rustle
Today might be the last Sunday above freezing for a walk in the woods without the ground being covered in snow until springtime, but with deer hunting still going on, it might not be too safe for a walk without wearing orange.
But if you did adventure out in the woods around here, you might spot some bright green leaves looking totally out of place with the rest of the autumn decor. The Hepatica is first wildflower to appear in my woods in the spring, where the blossoms comes up on its own stem and the leaves do not appear until after the flower petals have dropped. And while they are first wildflower in the spring, the Hepatica seems to be the last one giving green color to the forest floor.
Wee Bit of Green
Once the grandeur of the autumn’s color display is over and before the white coat of winter sets in, there is period of starkness; bare trees, lack of colorful wildflowers and a landscape brown instead of green.
Late Fall Starkness
I think everyone was enjoying the fifty degree temperatures today including these Herefords.
Herefords on a Warm November Day
There were apples left on some of the wild apple trees in my field but with the temperature getting down to 7 last night and not above freezing for two day, I think the deer better be careful so they don’t break a tooth on the frozen apples.
Frozen Apples
Today is Veterans Day, an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in armed service, also known as veterans.
When I look at an oak tree, it reminds me of veterans, protecting and providing a safe home for critters and birds, as the veterans of the armed forces have done for us.
Oak Protective Branches
The milkweed pods seem to be behind this year, just like the crops, and they haven’t release their seeds yet and with the frost, rain and snow, they aren’t flying too well.
Slow Milkweed Pod
When I looked outside this morning, the ground was white but at least it was only frost and since it was clear enough to form frost, you knew the sun would be up soon to melt the frost away. Tomorrow could be white with snow so I will take the frost instead of snow even if the frost probably felt heavy on the fallen leaves.
Heavy Frost
