An Autumn Hang-Up

Caught

Caught ©2008 Bo Mackison

Autumn is definitely upon us. Everywhere I look there is evidence of summer’s long past retreat and autumn’s complete domination. Two of the trees in my yard are totally bare. Brown, crunchy leaves are spread under their empty branches, and while I find it rather satisfying to stomp through the noisy litter, I’m not too thrilled at the prospect of the raking job that is on the agenda for this week-end – that is, if it doesn’t snow as is predicted.

My red maple is still fully dressed, and lovely. Deep reds at the very top meld into bright reds and then orange-reds towards the bottom of the tree. I’ve been waiting for the sun to shine to take a few photos, but without any luck. It’s raining now, and I haven’t the heart to even check the weather report for tomorrow.

Lots of photographers seem to be attracted to the simple leaf this week. I’ve seen a few outstanding examples. A pair of brown leaves here, and here is another favorite, with a great twist, and then one more product of autumn’s touch, and finally one with a foreign flavor.

How soon until we are all taking photos of that white fluffy stuff?  Too soon, I’m thinking. Way too soon.

Leaf after Storm

Leaf after Rain Storm

Leaf after Rain Storm © 2008 Bo Mackison

It’s been very wet in Wisconsin. We seem to be smack dab in the middle of a ‘system’ that is dumping rain and unstable weather on us. Over four inches of the stuff fell yesterday and tornadoes were spawned throughout the Midwest all weekend. I spent a few hours in Chicago on Saturday, and my husband and I dodged 4 different twisters on our 3 hour trip home. One tornado crossed an interstate highway southwest of Chicago, knocking over semis in the lanes going both directions, closing down both roads and generally causing havoc, but no injuries I heard mention.

Definitely tornado feeders visiting in the Midwest. A good day to attend to business indoors.