Fall Copper :: Our Smoke Bush

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I happen to love smoke bushes, that fine poof of a flower that resembles a poof of smoke enchants me.  So, many moons ago, I purchased a smoke bush.  Only the smoke is disappointing, a smokeless smoke bush??  SIGHHH

BUT, then fall comes, and it turns into this coppery colored glorious specimen  glowing in the final days of the growing season.  (Oh, and Man says the leaves smell heavenly when he cuts/mulches them up with his monster mower.)

Tween you and me, I don't believe any photo ever does justice to the smoke bush.




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Lunch at Mickeedees

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I was a bit surprised to see these horses and riders in a downtown area, note the stop lights, etc.

And, if you back off a bit,

There were about 10 riders in all.  About 5 minutes later they all headed out the US highway east, going??


 

*Remember the disclaimer stuff, I receive no $$ for mentioning or photographing McDonalds.  They did not ask me to do so.  They collect my $$ when I purchase meals and drinks there.  They own all the copyrights, I can choose to dine there, or not.  I did wonder, however, if it were the riders or the horses that got lunch that day??
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Start With Green, End With Red

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One tree in our yard, taken on October 8, 12th and 16th.

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Gold, Pure Gold

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Carol's Folly, The Bridge, In The Fall

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In my post from Wednesday I was chatting about the pond and swamp being dried up.  Between that swamp and the pond is a low spot, a long but, not deep, ditch of sorts, made by Momma Nature.  For the first few years we lived here that ditch was wet almost year round.  After several years Man conceded to build a "real" bridge.  He was not impressed by my makeshift arrangement of rocks, tree stumps and wood chips I was hauling down there to try and "bridge" the gap and the mud, therefore the concession.

So we put up this bridge, and for the next 5 or more years it was barely wet underneath.  In the spring of 2008, after a particularly snowy winter, we came home to discover the ends standing in muck and much water underneath.  I was thrilled, at least my bridge actually went over water!

But, alas, it is dry again.  Still makes a pretty photo, what with the fall leaves.

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What Pond?

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This green divot WAS our pond.  In the spring after a normal to snowy winter and rainy spring this pond is between 125 and 135 feet across.  And, even tho the drought has not been nearly as bad here in SE Michigan as it has been elsewhere, you can see, there has been a lack of rain.  We also have a swampy area just south of this divot pond.  That swamp has had water in it longer than we have lived here, well over 16 years.  The swamp is dry too, there might have been a bit of a wet spot or two, but, it is dry.

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Morning Glories, At Last, Not For Long

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Son # 2 gave me these morning glories early in the summer.  He had started them from seed.  They grew all summer long, even with the HEAT, holding on for dear life.  Finally a few weeks ago they started growing with a vengeance.  Filled in rather nicely, and then, just about a week ago I saw blooms. Nice surprise!

These photos were taken 4 days ago.  Last night we had a killing frost.  It killed the morning glories, they are a wilted sad mess today.

Next year - - -




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No Small Spider This

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I nearly touched this thing while getting the hose.  I also nearly jumped outta my skin.  Nope, I am no fan of spiders, and I know this is a small one by some standards, but, not so small here in SE Michigan.  Ewww!

Let's get a bit closer:

Have NO idea what it is.  Ewwww!!





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Red And Yellow, Fall At It's Best

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Fall is Coming Along the River

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Just a touch of color, but, not a bad reflection - -

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