What is Yellow and Red All Over?

That would be the month of October in this part of the world.

When I tried to come up with a theme for this month’s Changing Seasons post, I realized it was just about the colour. I think this is the most photogenic time of the year and my camera has been busy. This is nature’s last big party of the year.

Without wanting to repeat anything I’ve already posted about this month – including on my other blog here, here, and here – I offer you this photo story of the month I had.

One of the apple trees bordering the golf course where I’ve been playing all summer.
Photo taken on my last golf date of the season earlier this month.
On the Bruce Trail at Walters Falls
Early morning light on the Seaton Trail
On the Bruce Trail at Duncan Crevice Caves
What was previously hidden by the trees in summer, now becomes visible.
Another look at Walters Falls in the Beaver Valley
The leaf-strewn Bruce Trail at Walters Falls
Traffic jam on the Seaton Trail
I was thrilled to capture a photo of this handsome guy, looking at me looking at him. I’m thinking it might be an osprey – anyone?
This is the first time I’ve seen one in my backyard.
As if Theo coming home excitedly with a mouse in his mouth wasn’t proof enough of the active rodent population.
In the gloom and rain of this last day of October.
This now marks the beginning of the long winter sleep ahead. ‘night ‘night.

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Changing Seasons is a monthly photo feature hosted by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.

133 comments

  1. I love the yellows and reds of October. We had a really pretty show of autumn leaves here on the Island this year too. Now we’re in grey November, but no snow yet.

    Jude

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  2. The water scenes are so beautiful and serene, Joanne. And it seems people know about it (traffic jam)! Enjoy as long as you can, I’ve already read some posts where snow already fell!

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  3. Lots of color!! We finally have quite a bit of color around here. The wind is increasing the number of falling leaves, but the views are still spectacular. 🙂

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  4. Hi Joanne,
    Lovely pics of the change of the seasons. I insisted to Dan that we stay in NH to see the change this year as last year we in FL by the first week in Oct and I missed it. This year his aunts visited from Michigan and we took them into the White Mountains and also over to coastal Maine to enjoy the season. So glad we did. I’m hoping to share our photos soon…I’ve been MIA and still trying to get my s–t together.

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    • I consider a good thing when I’m too busy to be blogging. It means that real life is taking centre stage … as it should 🙂

      Glad you got to experience autumn in all its glory this year. I can’t imagine missing the seasons – especially this one!! October is pretty close to being my favourite month of the year.

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  5. The autumn colors are very similar here in Seoul. Except whereas in North America I associated fall with apples, here I think of the persimmons 😀 I almost forgot about fall apple picking til I saw that first picture🍎

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    • Yes, Theo is a bit of an attention hog 😏

      I know I would never be a good candidate for living in a tropical country. I just don’t like the heat and humidity … but also I would deeply miss the autumn. Yes, it’s grey and rainy today but there’s beauty in that too 🙂

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    • The trees decorated in their finest colour is a glorious sight. Unfortunately on the last day of the month we had a nasty wind storm and now many of the trees have been stripped half-naked. Looks like I’m going to have to start raking soon.

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  6. Your photos are gorgeous, Joanne! Yes, a lot of yellow and red. I noticed today how all the leaves have pretty well fallen completely off the trees, overnight. Yesterday, colours. None, today. Wow, that was fast. Not sure on the type of bird, although, all I can think about is “are you lookin’ at me?”🙂

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    • There is something a little disconcerting about having a predator look you in the eye. It makes me squirm just a little.

      Yes, the trees really took a beating during the wind storm we had Thursday night. I’m afraid there is more outdoor work required of me now … raking leaves!

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  7. My vote is Cooper’s Hawk too. Apparently the birds they prey on are often the size of Starlings and Doves. A Cooper’s Hawk in our neighbourhood got a crow!

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  8. I’d say you had a colorful active October! Gorgeous photos. Fall teases us into activity and pleasure, ’til the leaves fall and the cold settles in and then we think, “huh, darn, that had been so much fun.” :-0

    And, to hear my video, there should be a little sound icon (looks like a, I don’t know, sideways bell). Make sure it’s not crossed out and move the little line over more to hear. Hope that works! 🙂

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      • I always wondered where that expression came from. So I just looked it up and you are right on the mark. The expression first came from Proverbs, short for the idea of making hay while the sun shines. Hay is difficult to prepare in wet weather, so the proverb points to the wisdom of taking advantage of opportunities while they’re available. Second, make hay means to turn [something] to one’s advantage. So, make lots of hay, my friend!

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        • Oh, interesting. I wasn’t aware of the second meaning about turning something to one’s advantage. Indeed, may we all recognize opportunities for what they are and act accordingly!!

          Happy Monday and hay making! 🙂

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    • So sorry to hear about your snow. The loooong winter up north is hard to take 😕

      Glad to hear someone else liked the corn photo. ‘Enchanting’ is exactly the word I used looking at that light in the corn field!

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    • oooo – you’re the second person to suggest it’s a Cooper’s Hawk! I would be terribly excited if it wasn’t for the fact that they prey on small birds 😳

      If it’s one thing we seem to have an abundance of it’s apple trees!

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    • He is so ridiculously excited when he brings home a ‘treat’. He’s practically prancing in front of the patio door. I can’t help but laugh.

      If the mouse is lucky enough to still be alive (which it was that day), Theo is ‘encouraged’ to let it go and we force him back inside while the poor little mouse has a reasonable chance to make an escape.

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  9. Don’t you wonder what those birds are thinking when they look at you?? love all of these pics, but especially the kitty at the end. I miss having one in the house…that will change soon I hope!

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  10. Beautiful pictures, Joanne. I really can’t get enough of the change in colors that so many experience in other parts of the country. Sigh… (but then I immediately feel better when ya’ll start complaining about the winter cold 😎). Oh, I met a part-time (October-April) expat here in Oaxaca today. She lives the rest of the year somewhere outside of Toronto.

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    • Sadly, that’s not what the preliminary long range forecast is suggesting. They’re talking about a repeat of last year.
      I’ve been stocking up on art supplies so I think I’ll be good 🙂

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  11. Looks so lovely! Somehow I feel like this stage in nature went really fast here in Finland this year. Now all the leaves have dropped and I’ve even raked them away. Tomorrow I’m changing winter tyres and I’m ready for the snow and ice!

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    • I’ve been watching the forecast and saw all that ‘blue’ stuff your way 😳
      Hopefully all the snow stays north of us, but we could be seeing some flurries.

      Snow in November just makes winter that much longer 😕

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  12. Beautiful photos that capture our October, Joanne. I think that’s an osprey. I left you an email inquiry about November 15-17. Hope it didn’t go into spam prison.

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  13. Well, I’m not sure what that bird of prey is, but it’s a beauty! Your whole month has been filled with gorgeous scenery and colors. I love that little fall with the weathered building on the left. I thought, ” Oh, let’s paint it!”.😀

    October is ending on a cold note for us. I hope this evening isn’t too cold and we some trick or treaters.
    It’s our first Halloween here. I’m so excited. I’m even dressing up, but not scary dressing up.

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    • Thanks Mel. The other blog became a bit of a challenge when Helen withdrew from our plan to explore Canada together. I’ve had to take a much different approach and I’m hoping I can keep it alive and relevant.

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  14. I love your photos this month. It hasn’t been pretty here, so I have to enjoy autumn colors through other people’s pics. Difficult to believe that soon we’ll all be immersed in winter…

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  15. Oh, Joanne, what a stunning post! A beautiful bird of prey, but particularly those lovely apples on the tree and the Bruce Trails waterfall are frame worthy… and the corn. And who could resist Theo? Everything is such a delight. Happy Halloween hugs!

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    • I think I did pretty well considering I was sick for the first half of the month 🙂

      It’s always nice to have you along, Teagan, and thank you, that photo of the corn is one of my favourites!

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    • I’m afraid my knowledge of birds is pretty pathetic. It usually falls in the category or big or small, brown or not 😏

      I love the month of October for many reasons and I think it’s the best time to be out on a trail!

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  16. The fall this year definitely made up for the miserable spring we had in Ontario. I’ve only walked a very small portion of the Bruce Trail near Georgetown and it was gorgeous. Maybe a summer activity for my first summer of retirement? Thanks for always inspiring me with your outdoor fun, Joanne.

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    • There are SO MANY gorgeous parts of the Bruce. We started hiking it in late November in Niagara Falls and finished the following September in Tobermory, so we never really got to experience autumn on the trail. It’s really beautiful in all seasons and I recommend it as a great retirement project!

      Have you put a retirement stake in the ground yet?

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