Frost on Pumpkins and Stuff
Yesterday morning was the first hard freeze, and overnight, all the non-woody understory plants have gone limp and blanched, and you can see the ground in places where it disappeared back in May.
There was a scattered frost in places open to the sky, nothing back under the cover of the overstory of trees. So the photo opportunities were limited to those things along the ecotone between pasture and woods, like this spicebush.
Now here's a "weed" tree that is pleasant to have around for three seasons: first, the wispy yellow tufts of tiny flowers make it glow along the creeks in spring; then the leaves bead water all summer, every time there's a shower, giving the pasture margin a sequened look.
And finally, in fall, there are the brilliant and pungent-spicy red berries (image to come) and later, these parti-colored leaves in such typical fall color combinations, here just before Halloween.
Comments
Absolutely stunning shot, Fred. Almost like a painting!
Posted by: Gretchen | October 15, 2006 10:37 AM
we, too, woke up to our first frost yesterday morning. and a cold and windy day to follow it.
Posted by: amy f. | October 15, 2006 11:26 AM
I was in Iowa this past week and it actually went below freezing and snowed a little on Thursday and Friday. When I came back to east coast, people told me that it was too bad I had to come back to the cold, which was only in the mid-50's:) I feel as if it were still late summer at these temps.
I also want to point out that some parts of our country, like central Iowa, still have diverse and rich flora and fauna compared to the seemingly barren NE.
Posted by: Jim | October 15, 2006 10:35 PM
I love this shot... it's multi dimenstional...almost like computer generated "magic art."
Posted by: colleen | October 16, 2006 9:39 AM