Kick Up Some Leaves

Design - "October Owls"

Chart - "October" #164

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fabric - 32 count Lambswool linen

Started - 3 November 2012

Completed - 4 November 2012

This was one of six rectangles that made up a larger piece.  It is a 'small' for sure - would make a nice pincushion if I had the skill set!

I always think of Owls as an Autumnal bird.  Maybe that is because they've become affiliated with Halloween.  But for me, the number one sign on Autumn is the turning of the leaves.  In western Oregon the leaf color peaks at the end of October / beginning of November. 

Let's take a walk and take a look.   

This Cherry has so many pretty colors.

A couple of the Big Leaf Maples turned a lovely buttery yellow.

It's hard to top this Dogwood - what a lovely rich color pallet. 

Then there are the Oaks.  They go straight from bright green to dull brown.  And yet, they, more than any other tree, "mean fall" to me.  I have lots of fond memories of kicking through large piles of Oak leaves.  And the smell - the earthy, musty smell of Oak leaves - that smell says 'home' to me. 

While the leaves are pretty mundane, the berries of the Hawthorn are bright and lovely.

And let's not forget the conifers!  Deep in the forest the duff is composed of a layers and layers of Douglas Fir needles.

I have an answer!  My mystery tree from last week - it's a Plum!

Even the Hazelnut shrubs get into the spirit of things come Autumn.

The grand old Cottonwoods are some of the last trees to lose their leaves. 

If you were composing a photo, could you do a better job than Nature?

I think not.

I hope you enjoyed today's walk!