past prime

I'm still seeing occasional flowers even though the calendar is well into November. Last weekend's walk along the New Hampshire coast took me to a patch of wild roses that were still in bloom.

exquisite

I love the painted look of this lady's slipper orchid.

Orchids are simply exquisite, aren't they?

a November gift

There was frost on the grass this morning but the temperature quickly warmed to the low 50s. My plan to attend an exercise class this morning was quickly discarded in favor of outdoor exercise. I decided on a longer walk today, targeting a distance 6 miles, walking almost 8.

Later in the day the beautiful weather tempted me with thoughts of a walk by the ocean. I headed to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, arriving as the tide was rolling in. The ocean was playing music. A muted roar in the background was accompanied by the crashing sound of waves. It was wonderful.

late day light

I was heading home from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge just as the sun was dropping to the horizon. Looking to the east I saw a splash of muted autumn color highlighted by the late day light.

seed pods, open

As the days continue to grow short, seed pods open.

mid-tide walk

There were clouds in the sky and a chill in the air. It was a good day for a walk along the coast in Odiorne Point State Park.

orchids!

What luck! I saw an announcement in the Boston Globe last weekend for The Massachusetts Orchid Society annual orchid show and sale, running from today through the weekend.

This afternoon I headed to the show to wander through the beautiful flowers.

More flowers can be seen in the gallery orchids!.

autumn change

It's amazing to see the quick change from autumn leaves to bare branches.

Here are photos of the same spot in Harold Parker State Forest taken just over two weeks apart.

leaves wearing color, on October 13th


bare branches, on November 2nd

trees reflecting

What a glorious fall day!

Late in the day I headed to Harold Parker State Forest for a walk in the woods. Water in Field Pond was perfectly still, creating a mirror for the trees.

in the woods

The air this morning was chilly, dropping just below the freezing point before the sun started a warming trend.

It was a good day for a walk in the woods.

in Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, MA