If Only It Could Last

I cried over beautiful things knowing no beautiful thing lasts.

Carl Sandburg, Autumn Movement

Oh, the colors of autumn! Is there anything else like them? 

Last weekend, the North Loup River in the Nebraska Sandhills was dressed in the first hints of gold and red. And, while many of the trees remained green, summer's end was clearly evident.

I'll just let the pictures tell the story.

A bald eagle scouts dinner in the corn fields along the river.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Rednesday at It's A Very Cherry World
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Weekly Top Shot
Sweet Shot Tuesday

Roll Out the Red Carpet; National Photo Month, Day 16

This is exciting! Our back garden is mostly in the shade, so it's difficult to incorporate much bright color, other than the lime greens of several hosta varieties. You'll also find some cool blue blossoms, some whites and creams, the true blue of the hydrangeas, a pinch or two of yellow.

A narrow sliver at the very front of this space gets decent sun, so I decided to experiment with these Red Carpet border lilies. They're compact--about eight inches high. But, the blooms are substantial--about five inches across. And the color is brilliant. Love 'em.

This is a long-blooming variety and is supposed to naturalize over time. But, I like them so much, I don't think I'll wait for naturalization. I'm going to plant more this fall.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World
Bloomin' Tuesday

Going Out in a Blaze of Glory

On cue, the charming Japanese maple in our yard is going out in a blaze of glory.

Two years ago, we added this gem to our landscape. We needed a specimen tree and chose this variety mainly to satisfy my husband's fixation on red foliage. Left to him, every plant in our yard and garden would have red or purple foliage.

A nice addition to the landscape year-round, admittedly, she packs a pretty powerful punch this time of year.

Yes, when most other deciduous trees stand naked and shivering in the November wind, this hot little number shimmies and shakes in her crimson crinoline, prolonging the fall we so dearly hold on to.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:
Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer
Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World
This or That Thursday at Deb Duty Photography