a warmer walk

While I'm sure some would say that today's temperature was chilly, it felt much warmer than yesterday.

It was a good day for a walk in Valley Forge National Historical Park. I chose to walk a good part of the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, walking the loop section without adding any of the out-and-back sections.

chilly air

This morning's chilly air allowed me to practice winter layering. When I headed out to walk the temperature was hovering in the mid-20s. Luckily the right set of light layers kept me warm.

It felt like winter today.

the last of the faded roses

oak leaf

An oak leaf, fallen and captured by bare branches, wears an end-of-season shade of brown.

bright

Chrysanthemums in bright yellow present a sea of sunshine.

across Collins Pond

Trees reflect in the waters of Collins Pond, Harold Parker State Forest.

chrysanthemums

On Tuesday I visited the Fall Chrysanthemum Show in the Lyman Conservatory at Smith College. I've been to their Spring Bulb Show before but somehow I kept missing the chrysanthemums. I'm very glad I spent some time among the bright and varied flowers.

It's amazing how many different flowers wear the name chrysanthemum. According to the National Chrysanthemum Society there are 13 different classes of these flowers.

If you'd like to see more of the chrysanthemums that jumped into my camera, please visit my gallery seeking flowers at Smith College :: 2019.

rust & brown

Trees wearing leaves are few; remaining leaves wear the colors of rust and brown.

on the flip side

The beautiful design of the Cairns birdwing butterfly's wings is visible as the butterfly flits about and as it sits with wings folded. I've seen glimpses of the top side of the wings but until yesterday I never saw the full color and pattern of the top side of its wings.

As I enjoyed the butterflies flitting through Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory I saw one Cairns birdwing sitting with wings open, posing for a photo.

Cairns birdwing butterfly, wings open


Cairns birdwing butterfly, wings closed

west to wonder

This morning I drove west to wonderous beauty. First I headed to the Botanic Garden of Smith College in Northampton to visit the Fall Chrysanthemum Show in the Lyman Conservatory. Absorbing color in flowers was followed by a stop at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield for some time with the butterflies.

I welcomed the bright colors; the trees that continue to wear leaves are showing the color of rust.

early dark

Daylight shifted today on this first day back in standard time.

I was happy this morning when I woke up to find the sky lightening ahead of sunrise. I like the morning light, but early darkness will be hard.

It was 20 minutes before today's 4:35 pm sunset as I drove across the bridge over the Parker River on my way home from the refuge. The light caught my eyes, and yes, I had to stop!