changing

While most of the trees in the area are still wearing shades of green, patches of color are starting to emerge.

The trees standing on the edges of Berry Pond in Harold Parker State Forest show the color of autumn.

pop!

A pop of red shows on the inland side of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

Autumn approaches.

on the beach

Low tide was at a good time this morning and today is the last day without predicted rain. That meant I was pulled to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a walk on the beach.

The refuge was quiet, the beach used by a few people and a lot of birds. Sea gulls rested, sanderlings scurried across the sand.

autumn color

While most trees in the area are still wearing leaves of green, an occasional maple is wearing bright red.

It's an early sign of autumn approaching.

late dahlia

It's been a good season for dahlias.

I was delighted to find this beautiful bloom in Maudslay State Park during my wander there last Thursday. Here's hoping that they continue to decorate local gardens for a little longer.

outdoor sculpture at Maudslay

It is time for the annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay event. This year's show runs from September 10th through October 1st. I usually try to visit early in the show, often returning for a second look.

On Thursday I headed to Maudslay State Park to wander through the sculptures.

To see more of the sculptures, click here to visit the photo gallery outdoor sculpture at Maudslay :: 2023

celosia

Celosia blooms through the summer - but somehow it makes me think of fall.

early morning

It was quite early when I opened my eyes this morning. The ground was wet from last night's rain but no water was falling from the sky. It felt like a good time for a garden walk.

Even though we are nudging into autum there are still dahlias sharing bright colors.

approaching low tide

Friday's walk on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge was delightful. While there were other people around the end of the boardwalk I enjoyed a solo walk.

I walked.
I watched gulls and sanderlings feeding by the edge of the ocean.
I absorbed the beauty around me.

the wait is over

Yay! I woke up at 3:52 AM when the lights and the air conditioner popped on; the power was back!

The power was out for 37 hours. I feel very lucky; the weather wasn't too bad from a heat standpoint, and there are still areas around me without power. Not having power makes me realize how much it affects everyday life. I'm glad it's back.

This photo is from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. It is the last photo I took before heading home Friday afternoon, arriving home shortly before the power disappeared.

waiting

My timing yesterday was superb. I managed a pilates class, a walk to and from the class, and a walk on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. I arrived home just as the sky turned black.

While sheltered in the house I watched and listened to a wild storm. There was rain, thunder, wild wind, and hail. Yikes! I can't believe how lucky I was that my badly leaking windows were replaced this week!

The power flickered, then went out completely. When I looked at the power company's web site I saw a projected restoration time of 5 PM. That time came, still no power. I looked again to see that the restoration time was 5 PM on September 9th, a full day after the outage began.

Now, I'm waiting. And I'm hoping the power returns today.

fading

Flower petals fade as the end of the growing season approaches.

black-eyed susans

As the season changes some flowers have faded while others continue to wear bright colors.

Black-eyed susans create a splash of yellow in the garden.

painted slats

A wall outside of Newburyport Art shows a series of painted slats of wood. Each is a separate (and very narrow) painting. Placed together, they almost read as a single piece of art.