Whoo-Whoo What To Do?

I mentioned earlier that I had three 'big' Owl projects line up.  Well here they are: Plum Street Samplers "Thirteen Owls", The Stitching Shed "Owl Sampler", and The Prairie Schooler "O". Yes, it's the 24th of the month and I've not started any of them.  I'm thinking I'll have some Owl carry-over into November.

I'm seeing some sun breaks between the rain showers.  Grab a coat and let's take a walk.    

This little Paperbark Maple is one of the prettiest trees on our property.  It has such a pleasing shape, interesting bark, and this time of year the leaves are glorious.

I have to mention the abundance of Blackberries one last time.

This is their 'swan-song'.  Many are being consumed by the critters - the deer love 'em as do many of the birds.  The wet, cold weather will end further production and of those that remain, many will mold and rot on the vine.  

The Vine Maple down by the Big Creek has dressed in its Autumn Finery.  I think the extra moisture it receives in this location helped stave off the stress that most of the other Vine Maple suffered from this year.  They went straight from green to brown.   

With the rain and the wind, Douglas Fir cones are scattered on the forest floor.

The Hazelnut catkins are visible.  It always surprises me to see them this time of year.  So much earlier than I would expect.

We've had enough rain that there are puddles and pools of of water in the Big Creek.  Soon there will be enough accumulated moisture that it can begin to flow once again.  I love the sound of moving water.

The Madrone are quite pretty now.  Like the Paperbark Maple, they too have wonderfully colored bark.  And they are lush with berries too.  Where are the birds?  I'd expect to see someone feasting on this bounty. 

I think this vignette is a precursor to Christmas.  The cheery orange-red honeysuckle berries and the green of the fir boughs - all we need is a dusting of frost!

Brr!  I'm cold.  The sky is dark with heavy gray clouds.  I think it's time to go back inside.