berries in black

Before the leaves turn, berries appear.

contrasts

Yesterday I wandered through the gardens in Portsmouth's Prescott Park. Some flowers remain in full bloom while others have faded, nearing the end of their floral life.

I find both to be beautiful.

across the water

It was a crisp fall day, a good day for a walk along the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, NH.

a blue sky day

It was a good day for a walk in the woods, a blue sky day. My walking destination today was Goldsmith Woodlands in Andover, MA.

At the end of the trail, trees reflect in the waters of Foster's Pond.

faded

A leaf hangs on, faded, wearing autumn brown. Behind it there are trees that continue to wear leaves in green.

shaped like a flower

As I was walking in Harold Parker State Forest this afternoon I saw a large fungus shaped like a flower. It was growing at the base of a tree.

Isn't it amazing?

changing leaves

While it feels a bit early some trees here have started to show autumn colors. Leaves in red and orange caught my eye as I walked this morning.

sanderlings

These little birds seem to be in a state of constant motion.

I love this description of their behavior, posted on the Sanderling page of Cornell University's All About Birds site:

They gather in loose flocks to probe the sand of wave-washed beaches for marine invertebrates, running back and forth in a perpetual “wave chase.”

sanderlings on the beach, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

yellow

Goldenrod creates a splash of yellow along the edge of the beach.

at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

sculpture at Maudslay

This year's Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay show opened on Sunday, September 12th. I headed to the park Sunday morning to wander through the sculptures. I returned with a friend on Monday for a second look.

As expected, some of the sculptures really pulled me in. My favorite of the show was a horse striding near the trees, his skin made of the bark of white birch trees.

If you're in the area I recommend a visit to Mausdaly State Park while the show is in place. It is scheduled for removal on Sunday, October 3, 2021.

To see more of the sculptures, click to the gallery outdoor sculpture at Maudslay :: 2021.