Thursday, November 11, 2010

November Sights

Wild persimmons -- awaiting a passing possum or raccoon -- if they haven't been well frosted, they'll pucker your mouth for sure.
Oakleaf hydrangea leaves -- rich color and texture.
Three squirrel nests -- a rural apartment building?   Note the penthouse.

And rolls of hay -- better than money in the bank at this time of year.
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24 comments:

Margaret said...

I so laughed at "the penthouse" description. I will forever think of your wordsmwhen I see a squirrel nest in the upper most branches. "Better than money in the bank" was a close second. Very witty.

Martin said...

Sights like these reinforce the sense that Winter is closing in. We've just turned on our heating in the past few days. As I write, the skies are heavy with rain and the wind is shoving itself against our windows. Glad you made hay, while the sun shone!

Word verification is hymoo.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

I love seeing photos of your world, I love seeing your seasons unfold. Our winters here in the north of the North Island are reasonably mild. In bad winters we can have several frosts in a row but last winter we had one. Winters are mush harsher in central North Island and many areas in the South Island with severe snow storms at times.
I have just finished reading The day of Small Things - I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. great pics of the month...hay bails...make me just want to play....kinda like squirrels...

Jean Baardsen said...

The texture in the picture of hay is amazing! Also love the leaves. Beautiful photos!

BB said...

Again, your pictures are wonderful. Don't stop!! It's definitely a pleasure to see nature through others eyes.

Tess Kincaid said...

Your hay image is especially nice. There's something very comforting in fat rolls of hay.

Miss_Yves said...

So you spare hay rolls while the squirrels spare some nuts!
Pleasant photos!

bo parker said...

Persimmons a pucker for certain "if eaten before their time." But if they make it past the critters to become properly "seasoned"--a great taste. Thanks for the memory.

One question. Are there chinkapin, or chinquapin trees in your neck of the mountains. Hiking through the fields, to fence rows along which the small trees bearing these nuts grew, was a favorite family outing when I was a kid. In a smaller way, they took the place of the nuts from the once mighty Chestnut trees that filled the mountainsides.

Suz said...

You have such an open heart
for nature and I love squirrels apartments too..I thought that was original to my brain..guess not
or we're just two squirrely gals

NCmountainwoman said...

Beautiful introduction of the winter to come. I loved all the photgraphs.

Lisa Ursu said...

Great post Vicki!

Elora said...

I've never had a persimmon! How I would love to taste one sometime!

Yes...all those things feel "warm."

Is that leaf from the Castor Bean?

Elora

jennyfreckles said...

It all looks much more lyrical and evocative in your world than mine at the moment. Thanks for cheering me up some!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Hay is very precious this season in the south- no rain and all. Love the penthouse photo...that squirrel must own the tree... :-)
I second Marilyn's post- The Day of Small Things was wonderful!

Friko said...

Still we find pleasure in autumn, but winter's coming. Grey is the predominant colour here now.
I'm shivering already.

Merisi said...

Beautiful sights, all of them!

I used to pick seasoned wild persimmons along the Potomac river. They were full of flavor, better than most cultivated ones.

Pame Recetas said...

Great colors!!! I love Autumn, though I must say I'm enjoying my Spring down here on the other Hemisphere. Big hugs my dear friend

Unknown said...

I especially like the 3 stories of squirrels Good photos, enjoyed each one. I had never heard of Oak Leaf Hydrangeas though.

Tess Kincaid said...

Vicki, re your comment, I didn't mention this, but the reason I was drawn to this little tambourine, was because of my own, exact kindergarten experience of being stuck with either the rhythm sticks or the dumb blocks.

Now all I need is a triangle.

Vicki Lane said...

We've had the heat on a little, Martin and Friko, but the days are mild and sunny just now.

So glad you enjoyed it, Marilyn. I haven't forgotten about the recording -- bought an external mic -- just haven't found the time yet. Soon, I hope!

Bo -- I remember seeing one chinquapin up on the mountain years ago -- but that's all.

Elora -- it's oakleaf hydrangea.

Thanks, SW Arkie!

Merisi, these persimmons are delicious -- but kind of a pain to try to do anything with as they're so small. Nice for eating off the tree though!

Just ordered the Patagonia book, Pamela -- feeding my preoccupation with faraway places.

Pat in MN -- Oakleaf Hydrangeas are wonderful plants -- beautiful flowers and great fall color.

Willow, that is too funny that we both are carrying the same kindergarten memory!

Folkways Note Book said...

Vicki --Great tones in your hay photo -- barbara

J_on_tour said...

You have given a nice warm feel to these pictures in what is becoming a cold month. Nice one.

Paul C said...

I am thrilled to see your oakleaf hygdrangeas, one of my favourite bushes, and so vibrant in fall colours