Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Wednesday Walk

The Prairie Schooler owl is coming along nicely.

After a cold and soggy September, we've been reward with a mild and pleasant October.  No excuses then.
Let's take a walk.

While western Oregon cannot begin to compete with New England's fall color, we do have patches of nice color this time of year.  This is a vista from the house off to the east - the color is provided by cherries and Big Leaf Maples.  

Here's a reward for looking down - a nice moss covered stone.

I know this photo does not look like much, but close observation shows a sizable patch of matted down grasses.  Someone, probably a deer, has been bedding down here. 

October is mushroom time.

And Licorice Fern time.

Tiny, tiny bright yellow - a lichen? A mushroom? 
A mystery. 

On a blue sky day the Big Leaf Maples glowed.

Here's a close-up.

The September rains were very hard on the blackberries - most of the fruit got mildew and rotted on the vine.  But there are still a few, a very few ripe berries for eating picking.

We'll end the walk with one of my favorite bits of fall color.
The rusty red of the Vine Maple.

10 comments:

linda said...

Thank you; I learned something today. I looked up licorice fern as I had never heard the name. It said they grow on rotting logs or big leaf maples. Interesting. Photos are beautiful.

Pam in IL said...

Red and bright orange are my favorite fall colors. They seem to be rare colors here while gold and yellow are the most common.

The PS owl is adorable!

Melissa said...

I like your little owl!

Hasn't the weather been fabulous? Thanks for sharing photos of your walk. I wish I was one of those people who can identify the wild mushrooms for eating!

Barb said...

Your little PS owl is so cute! We look much the same in the fall.

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

Loved taking the walk with you. beautiful sights.. Love the Owl!

Mouse said...

ohhh well done on the owl :) and I enjoyed the walk today ... and yummmmm blackberries :) love mouse xxxx

Chris said...

What a beautiful time of year! Thanks for taking me along on the walk.

Shari said...

gorgeous fall pictures!!! And I love all of the owls at the top......

Magiczny Świat Krzyżyków said...

Śliczna sowa! Moja faworytka :)

Melanie said...

Love these photos. Fall is my favorite season and it's nice to see the fall bits in other areas of the country. :)