Bare Naked Trees

November Continues

November Continues

Pheasant Branch Conservancy, in Middleton, the city just north of Madison, contains a marsh with open water, springs, prairies, meadows, lowland forest, and wooded hills. These various habitats sustain a wide variety of plants and animals, including some that are threatened or endangered. Although surrounded on three sides by urban development, the conservancy provides a quiet refuge for bird-watchers, nature enthusiasts, and wayward photographers – lost in a fog!

Lake and Pier in November Fog

Lake Mendota

Lake Mendota

Madison was fogged in today, but it wasn’t my best day for photography. Early this morning, with the fog swirling around the second story window of my studio, I removed the screen from the window. Then I preset my camera and set it up on the tripod for a skyward shot. Hundreds of Canada Geese have been flying past my window several times a day, and with the fog as a background, I thought I’d take advantage of this photo op. When I heard the honking, I sprang into action, but in my hurry to get the window cranked open, I forgot -sigh!  -to remove the lens cover. By the time I realized my error, I missed the moment of the flyover.

The day doesn’t get much better. I went to Lake Mendota and shot a few photographs of the fogged-in lake, then drove to a prairie about a half hour from my home. The fog had settled into a crevice, and hovered magically over the gap. I walked in to get some shots. I had only taken four photos when my battery, without warning, died. No problem. I always carry a second battery, but when I searched my camera bagg – no battery. By this time, my hands were cold, and I was gettting a bit cranky, so I chalked the day up to bad karma, and headed home.

Once home, I again searched for the missing battery – and found it right where it was supposed to be. IN my camera bag!

Yep, one of THOSE days!

November Afternoon

Browns and Blue

Browns and Blue

Though I’m not quite ready for the snows to come, I’m wearying of brown in all its many variations. It’s nice enough with a dose of sunshine and blue skies, but already I am missing the bright colors that were in the gardens only a few weeks ago. And now snow is predicted for Wednesday, just in time to cause Thanksgiving travel woes.

The Last of the Asters

Final Bit of Fall Color

Final Bit of Fall Color

I was out exploring the local Arboretum, simply to see what I could see. In all the many layers of November browns, there was this bit of color – one last stand of Purple Asters  still sporting a few blossoms of bright purples and yellows.

Autumn Mix

Gone to Seed

Gone to Seed

November has been a very brown month in Wisconsin. Though it’s not unusual to get a good snow or two, it’s been a rather mild November and I’ve only seen a few snow flurries. After a disappointing October which seemed rather like November, it’s only fair to have a November that is rather like October. Indeed!