Finding Red in the Woods

Red Nail

Red Nail © 2008

Not the kind of red I was anticipating on my hike in the woods. Red sumac? Looking. Red maple leaves? Still looking.

No. I found red nails from the decomposing wood frame of an old farm wagon.

Red Barrel

Red Barrel © 2008

And a red barrel sitting where it ought not be sitting,

Red Screws

Red Screws © 2008

and red screws, more of the wagon frame.

It’s cool outside, my furnace has switched on the last two nights and I’m wearing sweaters in the house, but outside the leaves are still showing mostly green and my grass is in desperate need of a last cut for the year.

Summer is Browning

Browning Leaves

Browning Leaves © 2008

Out and about this Labor Day weekend, always seems like this is the last weekend of summer, though the calendar insists otherwise. But studying the prairie signs on this morning’s hike, everything looks very fall-ish. Seeds are turning dark and scattering, the asters are beginning to show purple, berries are ripening, and the leaves are turning a soft shade of brown.

Acorn to Oak Tree

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Oak Leaves, A Portrait © 2007

At the forest’s edge
An acorn has taken fruit
Four leaves, an oak tree.

This fledgling oak tree was photographed in Owens Conservation Park in Madison, Wisconsin in late October.