Jon suggested that I show you the whole web, because it was awesome.

 

Linda, this is the same one I blew up for that beautiful close up.

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

A few days ago on our morning walk we noticed lots and lots of spider webs sparkling with all the moisture in the air.  I must have taken 10 pictures of different webs.  Some housed spiders, some showed off the remains of their breakfast.  

 

When we got home, this one was across the path to our house.  It was about 4 feet in diameter, and that picture was pretty.  But then when I cropped it and enlarged it I saw all these pearls, and the intricate design.

 

I thought you would like to see the close-up.  I love it!!!

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

My friends, Mark and Karen were in the Wild Arcadia Gardens in Bar Harbor, Maine last week and saw this beautiful chrysalis.  Mark was very proud that he knew what it was:  a Monarch chrysalis.  We enlarged the picture a bit;  it's really only about the size of your index fingertip.  But isn't it gorgeous?  Yes, it is.  I call this color "happy green."  And that rim you see near the top, turns gold when it's ready to open and release the butterfly.

 

Thanks Mark, for sending me the picture so that we can all marvel at this beauty.  

 

 

HAPPY FALL TRAVELS!!!

 

Wow!!!  Have you noticed all the acorns lately?  It seems like there are more than ever before.  We can't remember seeing this many.  It is almost dangerous to walk on the sides of the roads for all the nuts on the ground.  Well, maybe not dangerous, but it sure feels like we're on roller skates skidding out on all those roly-poly things.

 

We have noticed the last couple years that the fruit trees have been very generous, and now the Oak trees are doing it.  Does this mean a cold winter ahead?  And that Mother Nature is providing for all her children?  I better check my go-to source for folklore:  Farmers' Almanac.  I'll get back to you on that.  We have a couple months before winter.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

 

 

I know I've shown you my Mullein, but lately in the mornings with all the fog and dew, it just lights up!!!  It kinda looks like it has snow on it.  It glows white in the gloom.

 

This is a first year plant.  The books describe this as a rosette.  This is what Mullein does the first year, and then it has to survive the winter.  In its second year it blooms, sending up those huge bloom spikes.  

 

This one is in the driveway, near the big ones I showed you earlier.  The old ones went away (onto the trash pile) but we are saving this one because it is so exciting when it blooms. 

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!! 

 

 

 

We are starting to see more color each day.  The Sourwoods are bright red, and the Tulip Poplars are turning yellow and dropping their leaves as we speak.  You can also see the Black gum trees have lots of red leaves.  

 

The science behind all this says that the trees are losing their chlorophyll and the other pigments are showing through.  All this occurs to prepare for the coming winter, when deciduous trees lose their leaves, and go dormant.  

 

That's all I know.  I just love to stand back and enjoy the show and the magic of autumn.  I promise to keep you updated on fall color in our mountains.

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

 

 

Here is a weed that we are seeing all over the place right now, blooming its head off, and dispersing its seeds everywhere.    

 

Erechtites hieraciifolius, American burnweed, is also called fireweed.  It grows everywhere around here, and I've been seeing it for years.  It grows about 5-6 feet tall, and I was never impressed with it, as the flowers aren't showy or colorful.  I certainly don't want it growing near my garden, but instead of disliking it, I have decided to love fireweed for its seeds that float on the breezes, like dandelion seeds.  We call them fairies, so I am calling this weed:  Fairyweed.  How do you like that?  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

This is a small branch of a huge bush growing near our dentists' office.  I love seeing it this time of year:  in bloom.

 

It is Elaeagnus pungens, commonly known as Thorny olive, spiny oleaster, or silverthorn.  I never noticed the thorny aspect, but the undersides of the leaves are definitely silver.  Anyway, we call it Elaeagnus, because it's fun to say.  Here's a pronunciation guide for you:  Say Eely, like a slippery fish, then the name Agnus, like the name of a nun in a movie.  There you have it:  Elaeagnus, and the species name is pungens, which perfectly describes its glorious smell.  I can smell the bush before I ever see it.  

 

When you do smell it, look around for a bush with long, arching branches of evergreen leaves.  Up close you can see that the leaves curl under, and when it's blooming, the flowers are creamy white, and smell divine.   

 

I hope you get to see some on your walks or drives.  

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

I thought you might like to see this:  Poison ivy and Virginia Creeper growing together.  Do you know which one is which?  Take your time to think;  I will wait.

 

I got so excited when I saw this opportunity for a picture for you that I stuck my finger in the way of the camera lens.  Other than that, it's a good picture.

 

The answer to my question (which you probably already know) is this:  Virginia Creeper turns red in the fall, and the Poison Ivy is a sickly yellow.  

 

Now you know.  So when you're driving down the road at 45 mph and see the two together:  they aren't the same thing.

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!!

 

OK, my question is this:  Who ever thought it would be a good idea to cut open a persimmon seed?  Further, why would they think it could predict the weather for the upcoming winter?  

 

Well, somebody did, and according to folklore:  when you cut open a persimmon seed and look at the embryonic leaves, they resemble a fork, spoon, or knife.  If you see a fork:  the winter will be mild.  If you see a spoon:  you will be shoveling snow.  And if you see a knife:  the winds will be sharp and cutting.

 

We found a few persimmons on our walk yesterday, so I saved a few seeds.  When I cut this one open, I think I saw a spork.  So, our prediction for the winter:  mild, with lots of snow.  Hahaha!!!  

 

Really, whatever the winter brings, I will be happy, and I'll let you know.  But for now, let's enjoy the fall.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!