September Rose

MY PHOTO OF THE DAY

It is a challenge to find perfection at this time of the year here in West Michigan. Leaves are chewed and dropping, heads are dead and blooms are elusive. Asters and mums are just not that interesting to photograph, although their hues blend well with pumpkins and the emerging fall colors. Soon splashes of red and yellow will be spreading like a slow fire through the city. A few maples have already started to flame. We wait for a temperature dip to snap some more trees into display mode.

This spray of roses I found to be the exception today--really quite lovely and perfect:

Roses should perhaps be my favorite flower since my name is a form of Rose. Of course, there is the thorn issue and that is a deterrent to loving roses. They are still blooming, even on tips of shrubs that have been decimated--and I give them a shout-out for their long-suffering efforts to bloom--often through much of November!

At the Beach Again

The dune grass at Lake Michigan was looking very healthy. What else thrives in the sand? I found the specimen below, whatever it is. But the most beautiful thing about the beach this particular weekend was that there was no one else there! Two kayaks drifted by once, but otherwise the great space stretched out endlessly just for us.

At the farm market:

 Lots of pumpkins, white and warty, ready for fall decorating.

The Red Delicious apples appeared to be ripe for picking. A late apple, they are usually ready some time in October, so it may be a few more weeks... The apples were abundant, and amazingly perfect, the branches of the trees hanging heavy and low with their sweet offering.

This time we bypassed the animals. The farm market was deluged with children, taking rides through those apple trees and having pumpkin fun, but Marissa couldn't resist helping one donkey to some fresh grass.

The sky view at the lake is always changing and often stunning.

 

Sunsets are great as well, but grab the camera quickly!

 

September Annuals in the Church Garden

Frank's Fabulous Flowers

Begonia Circle - View Two

Begonia Circle - View Three

Mandevilla

 Yesterday it rained gently most of the day. This morning at 9:25 when I arrived at church the flowers were sparkling in the morning sun. I was a little late for the opening praise songs, but I was able to capture the annuals at their freshest.

The begonia circle is still expanding--will it last through the first October frost?

One more photo taken last week of white lantana which has grown into enormous mounds, taking over any other annuals in the area. But Frank and I agree--this lantana--new to the garden--is a keeper.

Charlie in the Garden

A Garden Story Book

Once upon a time there was a dog named Charlie. He spent the whole day running around, getting  very thirsty. Then he spent the whole day drinking out of birdbaths and walking into the garden pond, lapping noisily. Then he spent the whole day lifting his leg, watering every green thing in the garden.

Can you find Charlie in the garden?

Do you see Charlie in the sedum?

Do you see Charlie on the porch?

 Do you see Charlie in the celosia?

Do you  see Charlie by the chestnut tree?

Do you see Charlie by the waterfall?

There's Charlie!