nature photography

I finally spotted a squirrel enjoying the long-awaited sunflower seeds. Squirrel-watching is quite entertaining.

Sunflower seeds are like chocolate for squirrels. To my amazement, ‘Mammoth Sunflowers’ self-seeded in January. That’s never happened before, or if a seedling should arrive out of season, it perishes post haste.

By March, the sweet peas took off, quickly surrounding the lower half of the remaining sunflower stalks, so I left them in place to dry. The thick stems of the sunflowers made excellent stakes for the climbing sweet peas.

I wondered aloud to Mike if the sweet peas’ soft scent overwhelmed the subtler smell of the sunflower seeds since they don’t generally get this far along without a squirrel or two snapping off the seed heads.

This week, they figured it out.

I happened upon a squirrel at the top of the eight-foot stalk, and then I ran inside to get my camera phone. I tiptoed down the path and tried to hide behind a tree, but the squirrel was on to me. I got a couple of snaps as the squirrel climbed down.

At the same time, another squirrel rustled in the Magnolia tree overhead. I looked up expecting a bird, but a squirrel appeared, carefully camouflaged against the trunk, hanging upside down while munching away.

I managed four photos in all before they moved on.

Not for the first time, I have renewed appreciation for nature photographers who capture clear, crisp, gorgeous images of wildlife. It’s fun to capture snapshots, though, and its nice to know they can find food, water, and sanctuary in my garden.

Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, 2000

Several New England states cash in every year as tourists flock to see the autumn leaves. Colors range from golden-yellow to brilliant red. When seen collectively, the trees are breathtaking. That’s me posing in front of a tree on a visit to friends in Mystic, Seaport.

According to New England Inns and Resorts:

When planning your fall foliage vacation in New England, you’ll want to plan your trip for the time known regionally as peak foliage. Peak foliage is the time of year when the colors of the area’s trees are at their most vibrant. Depending on the species, this is when the highest proportion of the leaves in an area are a fiery-bright yellow to light orange, offering visitors a spectacular panorama unlike anything they’ve ever seen.

I’ve taken my own snapshots in my garden here

Acer turning red

and here

Ana’s Hummingbird resting in the Chinese Pistache

but today I want to direct you to two glorious blogs. If you’re a fan of autumn color, these are not to be missed.

First up, Joseph who blogs at The Visual Chronicles. Joe is publishing a series of stunning photography this month entitled The Wonder of Autumn. His photos are incredible. He’s published a series of seven so far. If you want to start from the beginning, click here. Please let me know if you stop by.

Next up, Laurie. Laurie blogs at Life on the Bike and Other Fab Things and she too is sharing beautiful slices of her travels back east. If you’re looking for a calorie-free treat for your eyes, may I direct you Rojo!?

Although I don’t dare complain about the mild, California weather, I do miss the dramatic leaf change of my Ontario home. We get color in dribs and drabs here, including our own Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis), but nothing rivals New England.

I hope Joe and Laurie’s photos are a welcome respite to your day.