Autumn has definitely arrived in the Mile High. Cooler temperatures and even a trace of snow seen here earlier this week have made things seem somewhat seasonal but there hasn’t been a whole lot of color change in leaves with a couple of exceptions from a few maples and ash trees. I suspect the summer drought and long stretches of extreme temperatures took their toll on the internal clocks of the trees in the neighborhood. One exception is the tree shown here, taken yesterday in downtown Denver. But this dearth of autumnal color doesn’t mean things aren’t looking somewhat seasonal. The plumbago still has a few flowers but now the mahogany-hued leaves are beginning to show.
What else is blooming in the autumn garden? Oh course, there are the ubiquitous mums and asters but what I’m enjoying now are the ornamental cabbage making for some beautiful texture in the Sedum bed (which is also turning gloriously mahogany). Normally I prefer the cream variegated version of ornamental cabbage but alas, was too late at the greenhouse and only managed to grab the only two remaining offerings [Note to self, make autumn purchases sooner instead of later].
Today will be sunny with temps back in the 60’s so it’ll be a great day to leisurely stroll around the neighborhood taking in all Mother Nature has to offer in city gardens.
The weekend is upon us so I’ll leave you with something totally smile worthy from yesterday’s downtown excursion. While waiting to join a former colleague for lunch, I spied a street busker in full regalia playing tunes on his bagpipes along the 16th Street Mall in front of the Federal Reserve building. Just across the street blaring on patio speakers was a hip-hop tune at a brew pub. Can you say musical incongruent?
Nothing really surprises me anymore but I did find the alley scene below beyond the usual weirdness. It must have struck a chord with the rest of the lunch crowd along the mall because a queue had formed and you had to ‘wait your turn’ in order to get close enough to photograph. I almost miss working downtown for seeing odd and peculiar stuff like this. Almost.
Have a great Friday and an even better weekend. We’ve been asked to ‘pawticipate’ at a hospital event tomorrow to bring a little joy to ER nurses so I’m guessing smiles and fun will be in abundance.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
I have got behind in posts so getting caught up and I love the smiley balloon!! 🙂
It made me smile.
Hoping my first comment went through? Happy Sunday
Yes, thank you for leaving both comments. 😊
We haven’t had much color change in our leaves either. Hoping it arrives soon. Not sure what to make of that giant emoji in the alley. I’m sure you were quite startled!
We just can’t grow the cabbages here, although our local authority does!
We love the overhead walkway. Walking through a smile HAS to be fun.
Thank you for joining the Pet Parade, we really appreciate your friendship and support.
Sorry you can’t grow ornamental cabbages. One of my favorite autumn plants.
I love the ornamental cabbage – that’s something I’ve never had in my gardens. I’ll have to add that to the list for next year! 🙂
I love it too, and always seem to wait too long to get the extra pretty color combination of the variegated with cream. *sigh*
Brrr… indeed:)! it’s chilly today… a day for making cookies as my 14 year old daughter is downstairs doing now! I agree with you about the homeless population. I feel for them, but also don’t feel safe on the 16th street mall and don’t want my kids hanging out there. It’s complicated.
It’s even worse the nearer you are to a dispensary. 😬 When I worked downtown I loved walking around the mall but now it’s just too bizarre. Stay warm and enjoy those fresh cookies. I’m thinking some hot chocolate with Schnapps myself. 😊
that sounds better:)!
That certainly was culture clash! The bagpipes must have been fun 🙂 Enjoy your weekend. It’s 13° up here today with more than 6″ of fresh snow. I’d like a little more autumn!
Definitely a HUGE clash! It’s snowing here too, nearly 3″ so far but slightly warmer at 21.
“Normal” Autumn is forecast for next week. ☺️
Happy pet therapy at the hospital today.
Thanks, we just got back from some incredible visits. Sam always manages to find the nicest people to visit. 😍
The most beautiful autumn scenes I’ve ever seen were the Aspen trees in Colorado. They are phenomenal!
Their golden color is highlighted by the autumn sun. Nothing quite like it. 🍂
That’s so goofy. Are you certain you’re not getting the overflow of goofballs from SF?
Seems more Portlandia to me than SF.
Since Hurricane Michael’s departure the other day, we’ve had some really nice, comfortable fall-like weather. I’m hoping it lasts for a while!
Have fun with the ER nurses!!
We’be got our paws crossed for you. 🤞🏻
It’s a little chilly right now to be wearing a kilt…. particularly if it really is true what Scottish men wear (or don’t wear) underneath them!
We love the fall colors but not a fan of the cold temps upon us. Two nights down to 20 and then we are supposed to warm up again some
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
Some flowers show wonderful color in the fall, Good catch! Enjoy your weekend.
Combined with the incredible light, autumn is so beautiful. My favorite season!
Just love the fall colors. I would sit and listen to the bagpipes. Cool balloon.
Fall is the best! Have a super weekend.
What gorgeous fall colors! Our leaves aren’t turning yet!
Autumn seems late all over the country. Hope yours is worth the wait! 🍁
Love the plumbago, and all your views today…I wish we had a bit more season changing in our area…
Remember, Autumn is always worth the wait.🍂
At least you have that gorgeous autumn light-the best time of year to take photos.
Nothing quite like a big happy face to start the weekend. We heard there could be a few snowflakes here in the KC area on Sunday – and just about all the leaves here are still green:)
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Who doesn’t love the happy face? 🙂Our high will be in the low 20’s tomorrow. Eek. Better get out the rest of the sweaters. Have a good weekend snuggling with the pack.
Lovely Flower Friday. Same here in that the weather is lovely but there is still a lingering air of depression about the place and the recoverey, whilst happening, is slow going. The piper was interesting though. Don’t see them around here.
This is a beautiful time of year but I keep remembering that winter follows.
I know you like the summer weather better, but I’m ok with the seasons changing. Makes for some interesting views in the garden.
Everything made us smile, Sam, Elsa and Monika, see😺Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🐾😽💞
Thanks, Binky. Hope your weekend is pawsome!
That huge smiley face reminds me of the giant marshmallow man in Ghost Busters. Hope no one lets it loose! I know you and Sam will have a great time tomorrow with the ER nurses. 🙂
It was very well anchored (no doubt because anything not would surely be stolen) and totally cracked me up. Yes, a good time will be had tomorrow, for both nurses and us. 😊The Knucklehead will be ready.
Heard it will be a high of 26 degrees on Sunday. Brrr…that’s enough to frost your marigolds. Oh well, I recall a certain someone complaining about summer temperatures so the sub-freezing temps will likely be welcome. 👿 Oh, btw, during his Denver visit, Max poo’d on the 16th St mall very close to the where the piper is. We were mortified by his lack of decorum. The dog, not the piper. Just thought I’d pass that along 🙂
Sunday will be chilly but today it will be low-to-mid 60’s. Pawfect weather for us. It’s easier to throw on extra layers. You can only go down so far trying to keep cool. All part of our 5 seasons (spring, summer, pizza oven hell, autumn, and winter).
As for pooing in front of the Fed, a lot of the city ‘mall rats’ do much the same. The homeless population downtown has grown and they are not shy about bad behavior. Most are young folks waiting to score some medical MJ, others are just lazy and quarrelsome millennials.
Homeless in Denver in winter is a tough slog. Honolulu has a huge homeless population but that may be in part because the weather won’t kill ya.
Same thing in Kona. The day before the hurricane hit Kona, a plane from Seattle dropped off a homeless guy who my son helped out finding him a place to stay. Apparently they do that often…it’s cheaper to put them on a plane to Hawaii than house them in a shelter on the mainland. 😬
Everything sure is pretty and I hope you have a good time at the ER Nursing Event tomorrow! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
This is a beautiful time of year and no doubt tomorrow will be a very smile inducing day to go with beautiful autumn scenes. 😍
P.S. Thanks for the heads up on the disappearing comments. As you suspected, they got waylaid in the spam folder. Sometimes technology is crabbish. Sorry.
Everything sure is pretty and I hope you have a good time at the ER Nursing Event tomorrow! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
What a lovely Autumnal post!! I love the Red Maple…our trees also are rather drab in comparison to other years. Definitely the lack of rain & high temps & scorching Sun.
I LOVE Ornamental cabbages. I was going to buy a couple of neighbors garden but I bruised ribs so that plan went nowhere. The geraniums are still blooming & the Golden Glow & the ground covering….I’ll take it!
I’d love to have heard the bagpiper….very cool.
Wishing you a lovely weekend @ Mile High with your beloved ‘Knuckleheads’…..
{{{hugs}}} Sherri-Ellen & **purrsss** BellaDharma
For being so well outfitted, he wasn’t that great of a piper. I’ve heard others downtown who were quite good. Still it was lovely in the midst of the city. Have a super weekend!
The pipes! The pipes are calling! . . .
That’s a pretty cool sight to behold when you’re minding your business, just walking down the street. Live music done up that way, love it!
You always have such fantastic captures!
Thanks! Urban settings are always ‘interesting.’ I saw stuff yesterday that floored me. We’re starting to vie for weird as if we’re Portland (and yet we aren’t nearly as cool).
Haha! But weird is interesting . .
Interesting in this case wasn’t meant as something positive. Maybe it was the cloudy conditions, but the city looked grimy and grim, a small version of NYC. And more homeless people than I’ve seen in a good long while.
Oh my, I’m sorry to hear that.