Some flowers fade sooner than others yet often leave a bit more to appreciate. I thought this was a good example and reminded me of a filagree necklace.
OCTOBER ORANGE
These flowers are a perfect pumpkin orange. All decked out for Halloween (and taken just a few days ago).
LIGHT AND SHADOW
I pass by this spot quite often but I like it best in fall when the ivy turns colour and the trees cast long shadows.
JAILBIRDS
These little sparrows landed on a fence right in front of me. I was lucky to get this shot, as a dog walker passed by a moment later and they flew off.
COMING UP ROSES
It’s hard to believe I took this last week. These late bloomers sure are hardy.
TIME PASSAGES
This building is a landmark on a gritty downtown street corner, sandwiched between an alley and apartment building. It’s been a Bible depot, reading room and gathering place. When trying to find out more about it, I learned that it had closed permanently. Perhaps another victim of the times.
TENDER CARE
Many older apartment buildings on downtown corner lots have small gardens that look to be maintained by the tenants. Someone had fastened this endearing little sign to the wall.
ON THE WIND
It’s been very windy over the last few days and the trees are beginning to lose their leaves. This maple leaf was caught on its way down. I took it with a small f/stop so I got this attractive background.
ANGRY BIRD
We were taking photos of an adult and osprey chick on their nest at a respectful distance (with long lenses and at least 40 feet below 😏 ) but the osprey parent was not happy at all. It flew from the nest, circled above and flew uncomfortably low and close. We took the hint and walked quickly back to the car, content with the photos we had got.
COOLING DOWN
Gardens in fall take on many forms here. This one had a more subdued display than some others in my recent posts. Still, with -C nights and +10C days it’s still looking pretty fine. I even saw a butterfly on a walk today.
CITY BLUES
I haven’t had many opportunities for bird photography this summer, so I was pleased to see this Blue Jay on the roof edge. I liked the way the elements of the building framed the bird.
FIREWORKS
We’ve been having a spectacular autumn. You don’t have to go into the countryside to enjoy the fall colours. Every tree in the neighbourhood seems to be celebrating the season.
SLOW DOWN
I spent many summer afternoons walking along the river. Scenes like this always draw me back.
LADY BUG ON SUMAC
On a recent walk, I saw quite a few lady bugs flying around and landing close by. I caught this one on some sumac.
PLAY OF LIGHT
I liked the sparkles of colour and textures in an otherwise sombre river reflection. At another time of the day, the light would have made for a different photo.
GROWING UP
Not a chick anymore and not quite adult but growing up fast.
Milkweed Bug (Correction)
The insect under question was misidentified as a Milkweed Beetle when first posted. (See Steve Gingold’s comment)
I was happy to get this shot so late in September as we’ve had several frost advisories at night. The milkweed bug didn’t seem to mind though. I had also planned to take landscape shots that morning, so this wasn’t taken with my macro gear. The natural light provided this interesting effect.
TOUCH OF PURPLE
Early fall is a great time for photography. Late summer flowers vying for space with the autumn leaves. I liked the way the purple flowers were standing their ground.
SEPTEMBER SUNFLOWERS
I took this yesterday. Summer’s not quite over.
HIGH NOTE
Many of us are feeling a little sorry that the warm weather is ending but scenes like this soften the blow 😏.
A SLIGHT TURN
The Sumac is beginning to change colour here. These leaves have a shimmery glow to them.
SEEN ON A WALK
I saw this piece of driftwood on the windowsill of an old house which made for a fine display cabinet. The sea, wind and sun produce some striking art.
HOLDING ON (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The temperature’s getting cooler but these flowers are still in bloom, making you half believe that summer is still here.
OSPREYS, LATE SUMMER
Volunteers had built two nesting platforms by a local marsh and we’ve been lucky to see osprey there most summers. I’m glad we passed by when we did because on our second visit in early September the nest was empty. The birds had probably begun their migration south.
NEW LEAF
As the seasons begin to shift, there’s still a lot of beauty to capture.
THE BUSINESS OF BEES
As we move closer to fall, I enjoy scenes like this even more than I did a few months ago.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
They are beautiful birds but tricky to photograph given their dark plumage. This bird was looking for some lunch.
RING-BILLED GULL
Ring-billed gulls don’t overwinter here, and will head towards the Great Lakes or the Southern United States when the cold sets in. They are very common during the warmer months and when seen outside the city, in a natural setting, are quite attractive birds.
METALLIC BEE
This photo was taken in high summer, I haven’t seen any metallic bees in a while. The season is certainly winding down.
This male bee has an attractive striped abdomen while the female is completely green.
SHARE THE PATH, DUCK
Obviously, the signs don’t apply to this duck. 😏
LAND LILY
This plant was growing in a flower bed but reminded me of a water lily. If anyone can identify the plant please let me know.
BUTTERPATS
I saw these attractive late bloomers on a walk the other day. They refused to blend in to the tall grass around them.
ABSTRACT VIEW
The branches overhang the water so it’s unclear where the leaves end and their reflections begin. It created an attractive abstract.
OFF A COUNTRY ROAD
Friends introduced us to this spot a number of years ago and we’ve been returning ever since. We’ve seen egret and osprey here (we saw both this visit) but I’d come back just for the view. I’ve never seen beaver though; there’s no fresh wood on the lodge so I think it’s probably been abandoned.
LOVE BUGS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This milkweed plant was home to a lot of lady bugs engaged in various activities 😏
SLEEPING GOOSE
I often see birds sleeping with one eye open. In this way they can be aware of danger as a part of their brain remains alert. As for the raised leg, it minimizes heat loss. Clever birds!
THE QUEEN’S GOLD
The birds nest shape of Queen Anne’s Lace is revealed as its seeds ripen. The flower was surrounded by the glow of goldenrod.
POND SIDE
Rather interesting to see these damselflies mating on a plant stem near the exoskeleton shed by a recently emerged damselfly.
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The American Black Duck is very similar in appearance to the female mallard, although its feathers are darker and its bill is an olive yellow. Not as common here as the mallard but still well represented.
FLOWER POWER
Out for a walk on a very hot day, I found a tree lined path to walk down and I saw these hostas growing in the shade. A pretty and cooling sight.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 