stacked

stacked, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

While walking in the wildlife sanctuary down by Stanley Park today, I found these stacked stones in a dry streambed. Someone got creative!

more 'shrooms!

idolatry, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found not one but two awesome fungi-covered trees on my walk today up Western Ave. in Westfield.

Dear Santa

This is what I really want for Yule.

Just putting that out there for the universe. *grin*

rosy

rosy, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

All that's left of summer's roses are these ripe hips and a few dried leaves. These are old-fashioned pink roses from Grandmothers' Garden in Westfield, MA.

Here's what they look like in bloom:

and unripe:



and dried, in the depths of winter:

thistle

thistle, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I thought a little evoking of summer would be a relief after all these days of cold, so I dug in the archives, and found this pretty thistle flower that I took at Brushwood Folklore Center in Sherman, NY last year. I can feel the sunshine on my back just looking at it.

browse

browse, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found some great ice at Grandmothers' Garden in Westfield today. All this cold weather is good for something, I guess!

insouciant

insouciant, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Another bench under another beech tree at Stanley Park, this one near the fountain, which has been turned off for the winter. Taken on November 9, 2008

mammon

mammon, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found this tiny little maple tree, with its bright leaves still hanging on, last Sunday at Pine Hill Cemetery. While all its big brothers had long been bare, this little guy was still colorful, cheering the drab surroundings for a little while longer.

auspice

auspice, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This very wet year has given us lots of wonderful fungi. I found this on a birch tree in Pine Hill Cemetery on Sunday.

peaked

peaked, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The green of the fern really stands out against the brown leaves piled beneath it. Taken at Pine Hill Cemetery on November 16, 2008

panoramic

panoramic, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

All the leaves are gone now from these big old maple trees in Pine Hill Cemetery.

Here's the same spot on October 19th:

fitful

fitful, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Walking through Pine Hill Cemetery today, I found some gorgeous pink roses that had blown over and were nearly buried by leaves. It was a fitting metaphor, I think.

fanfare

fanfare, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Layers of fungi, leaves, and wood make a natural still life in Heritage Park, East Longmeadow.

passage

passage, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Bare trees overhead are bisected by a contrail from a passing jet yesterday at Heritage Park in East Longmeadow. It was a cold but bright day, perfect for a jaunt through the woods there. Today is cold, rainy, and grey; typical November weather in New England!

forest

forest, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Actually, it's not really a forest; just one very large beech tree, near the rose gardens at Stanley Park. Looking straight up like this was a bit surreal. There's nothing like a really big tree to remind us just how small we are!

appease

appease, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I'm not sure what this plant is, but it sure looks pretty when its leaves turn color. It's a shrub-sized plant, taller than I am, and every Autumn I seek it out to see what lovely colors it has this time. I like the texture and shape of the leaves, too. In summer it is rather plain, but in Autumn it outshines its neighbors by far.

restful

restful, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This peaceful spot is under a beech tree in Stanley Park. I love how they have benches placed around the park so that you can sit and enjoy the beauty around you, often under a big, shady tree.

objectify

objectify, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

A Japanese maple drops the last of its leaves, while a stone bench sits among the fallen at Stanley Park.

gloss

gloss, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Most of the leaves are brown now, but here and there, bits of color still brighten the landscape. I found this at Heritage Park in East Longmeadow this afternoon.

objective

objective, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

What was once green has turned orange and brown. Leaves cover the path, and bare trees cast long shadows in the Autumnal sunshine.

splash of color

splash of color, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Some lovely red leaves add a splash of color along the river, brightening a dulling world. Taken at the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA on November 2, 2008

civic duty

civic duty, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I voted today! Did you? Make sure your voice is heard in government. Please vote, if you haven't already done so. Your country thanks you!

stay off the road!

stay off the road!, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This stretch of path reminded me of that scene in Lord of the Rings where Frodo realizes they're on the road, and yells to get off just before the black rider shows up. Yeah, I have an active imagination!

Taken at the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park in Westfield, MA.

along

along, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Red oak leaves catch the sunlight, glowing brightly. It was such a lovely afternoon yesterday that I took a walk on my lunch hour, walking along the stream around the corner from the office in East Longmeadow. It was a nice break from looking at the computer monitor! When I got back to the office, my boss was baking cookies. It was a nice Friday afternoon. :)