November Leaves

Santa Cruz Mountains

Not all November days are bleak. Sometimes bright sunshine plays on the leaves, making multicolored patterns upon patterns upon patterns.

September Time Out

Castro Valley, CA

Sheriff's order to evacuate due to wildfire while sheltering in place was confusing and stressful. After a few motel nights, we accepted our friends’ kind, open-ended offer of shelter.

Hues of a Dry November

Santa Cruz Mountains

Autumn rain nourishes the garden. But lack of autumn rain prolongs blossoming, as plants make more seeds. This coreopsis blooms nearly year round in fair weather.

October Cheer

Santa Cruz Mountains

As October commences, so does chrysanthemum season. Newly minted spider mums change from burgundy to purple as the month rolls along.

Last Harvest

Santa Cruz Mountains

The last of autumn’s harvest. Squashes and pumpkins abound. Apples picked and Brussels sprouts stalks cut. Cold weather greens like kale and chard appear again.

November Leaves

Santa Cruz Mountains, California

It’s been said that California has no discernible seasons, but our dogwood tree thinks otherwise. Its festive springtime blossoms become ripe seeds as its bronze foliage suddenly turns multicolored.

Life of a Gerbera Daisy

Santa Cruz Mountains

Gerbera daisies are the most elegant kind, though I love all varieties of daisies. Brightly colored and many-petaled, these warm weather harbingers add a color pop to the yard throughout the summer.

Last Harvest

Santa Cruz Mountains

End of the growing season and rose blooms are gone. Yet their fruits, the rose hips, linger and ripen in a blaze of color. High in vitamin C, clever cooks harvest these for jelly.

Autumn Abundance

Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Of all the autumn flowers, the chrysanthemum has the widest range of colors and forms. From simple daisy-like whites and purples through multi-petaled riots of sunset hues. Every color imaginable.

Long-Awaited November Rain

Santa Cruz Mountains, California

It's been a long dry spell throughout much of the western US during the past couple of years. Californians on the central coast are thrilled to see the forecast: rain likely every day this week. Even this junco appreciates it.

Last of the Season

November is a month for saying goodbye to this year's growing season. The last of the leaves that served the dogwood well during the year turn golden red and fall. It is time for the tree to rest.

Too Many Autumn Leaves

Boise, Idaho

Ever photograph a tree? They're tough subjects because the detail in the leaves can distract from your overall composition. Still, it's hard to resist photographing them, especially in autumn.