Well, will you lookie here…it’s Friday and that means we’re joining our ‘fur-iends’ from Adventures of the LLB Gang for this week’s edition of Nature Friday. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others shared.
Autumn is unfolding each and every day with a new scene in the 303 and we managed to find all sorts of signs of it this week on our walkabouts. This week’s offering is somewhat of a catch-as-catch can, with some unusual sightings from around the ‘Hood. First off, as Norman and I arrived at the hospital we came across something unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Like most hospital parking lots, there are a few trees placed around the parking lot. One of the trees along the far perimeter has been on a downward spiral for at least the past year. This past spring it appeared this poor wretched tree looked like it had finally given up the ghost. I always feel badly whenever I see that a tree that has died but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. Well I’m not sure what it’ll mean in the grand scheme of life but this scrappy little tree started blooming like it was April. Weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. I had to go back after passing it to get a closer look to see if those were actually blooms among the skant few leaves. Sorry about the blur, I was so blown away, I didn’t get the camera to focus as well as I should have.
When we’re out walking the neighborhood, I like to keep my eyes open for interesting things and that sure seems to fit the bill but it wasn’t the only unusual thing we saw this week. Wisteria is ever so lovely in the spring, but in late summer it can produce bean-like pods. I’d never noticed them in past years, but it sure caught my eye this week. Kinda weird, huh? Given that Halloween is just a month away, it kind of reminded me of a scene from the Bodysnatchers.
Last weekend was the end of the season for most of the Farmers Markets in the metro area. A friend and I went to the one in Old Towne Arvada and apart from the typical booths with handmade craft items as well as fresh produce, various flowers caught my attention while we walked around and took in a picture perfect day. Just check out this pretty strawflower and coleus.
With autumn’s arrival, a few mushrooms have begun to pop up. When I saw them on this slight grassy incline, they remind me of an air filter on a car. More weird things around the ‘Hood.
Changing leaves is a sure sign of autumn and the Virginia creeper always delivers. The reds are always eye catching.
Lastly are a couple a pollinators we saw in the yard. The dogs paid no attention but I kept following the Hummingbird Hawk moth through the Plumbago. They tend to be fairly elusive buggers…big but very flighty.
And finally, as I was working in the garden tidying up a few areas, I came across the fattest bumblebee I’ve seen in a long time. This guy had been apparently working very hard as he was carrying large bags of pollen on his body though you can’t see them from this vantage point.
One of the true signs that autumn has arrived is when a neighbor’s begins his annual display of ‘skellies.’ Every morning when we walk past this house, the guy has arranged them differently. I laugh out loud every morning. The guys on the roof especially crack me up.
So all and all, it was an interesting first full week of Autumn. How was yours? Find any interesting things? We hope you have a fantastic weekend. We’re sending loads of thoughts and prayers to all those affected by monster hurricane Ian and pray for all those in this path.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Mee-yow so much Autumm happenin there Miss Monika!
Wee think those Mushroomss are furry kewl lookin…..
An wee love THE littel blue flowerss an Hawk Moth…he iss gorgeeus!
**nose bopss** to Sweet Norman an Elsa an ***purrss*** BellaDharma
{{{hugss}}} BellaSita Mum
what a great post! I wonder if they have names for all the skellies…? We have a few people like that too, oh to be younger and more agile on the roof! I love the photos, just beautiful!
We start out every morning walking past that scene and smile big time. It’s fun to look at each of them in their different poses.
OMD, there’s a skeleton of a giant!! We wouldn’t want to walk by that thing! XOX Xena, Lucy and Chia
Bark for yourselves, girls. I bet I could get some good chew bones off it. *wags* Riley
You’d think it might be a good source of calcium for dogs but I think the plastic used to make that guy probably wouldn’t taste very good, Riley.
Plastic? Bleh.
Wow to that tree not giving in just yet. And who knew wisteria had pods? Beautiful images and that moth! Whoa… Love to see the fatso bee.
Here, I woke up to a 34, feels like 30. Quite the reality check and a tad cooler than I like so early into the favourite season,
Happy Sunday (coz I’m late, of course!)
34? Whelp. I’m all in for cooler temps but not sure I’m THAT ready, know what I mean? Guess there’s just no pleasing me. Yup, those wisteria pods were visually disturbing to me (no doubt from all the Halloween themed fright night movies being offered this month). C-r-e-e-p-y to say the least! Hope you’re settling into the new position well and that the reno is moving forward well.
Yeah. 34… And I love the cooler temps but, yanno… ease us in, wouldya? All those pods are weird, to me.
I cannot believe how exhausted I was this weekend. I was fried and basically did a whole lotta nuthin!
The house is moving way slower than I like and I only have one more week here at my friends. Not looking forward to living in a house with no kitchen and a shitty basement bathroom…
Renovations always take longer and often cost more than we expected. Just keep reminding yourself of the end game. You got this!
Yeah, those pods were creepy. They look a lot like edamame 😉
Don’t get me stahted! Oy… I keep saying: It’ll be worth it, it’ll be worth it, it’ll be worth it…
They are. Giant edamame!
Oh so lovely! And how fun! Like many others, Autumn is my favorite season! 🌞
The quality of light is staggeringly beautiful this time of year! 🍁🍂🍁
Agreed! 🌞
What gorgeous Fall sights to see…….Fall has its’ own special gifts doesn’t it….I love the seed pods, the late blooming flowers, the changing leaf colors – those body snatcher wisteria pods are just a little too SCARY for me (haha). We have more acorns coming down like rain than EVER before so I think we’re in for a “heavy” winter!
Hugs, Pam
It sure does! October is my favorite color! 😉
P.S. I was a bit unnerved by the Wisteria pods as well. I had to Google them before I could breath normally. 😆
A few years ago the city planted an oak on the tree strip (that little piece of land between the sidewalk and the street). Every year I intend to pick a bunch of the acorns to make teeny little candles. Every year the tree rats beat me to them. Grrrr.
Beautiful photos. I especially like the hummingbird moth.
Many thanks. That moth was something else. First time encounter with one and I was most impressed with its size and flight patterns. He was a quick one!
Trees will sometimes put out a last ditch effort to reproduce before dying, perhaps your parking lot tree is doing that. Looks like a Bradford pear, an invasive species that isn’t all that long lived anyway, but birds eating the fruit spread the seeds so it manages.
Those tall skeletons are something. I’m often astounded at the amount of time and money that folks will put into Halloween and Christmas lawn displays. And where do they get stored 11 months of the year?
Yes, it’s one of those flowering pears which is no longer recommended at commercial sites (or in home gardens for that matter). Their are well known for their habit of breaking branches. Still it’s always sad when a tree dies.
That neighbor has a baker’s dozen of the life sized skellies, a dog, 7 vultures and a large spider all which had to cost a fortune. I suspect he’s got a separate storage garden shed to house them. Hard to believe he’s rearranged the scene every day so far. Dragging out a ladder to do the ones on the roofline has to be a hassle. It would be for me! 🎃
Those skellies cracked me up.
Loved the tour. The skellies were fun. We have a neighbor who does a massive about of Halloween decorating. Will have a photo nearer the time. Have a super weekend.
Thanks John. I’m not a fan of Halloween generally but absolutely love and look forward to seeing how he rearranges the scene every day. Last week he had a Broncos jersey on the Colossus with the regular sized guys lined up in football formation. Cracked me up. Here’s to a ‘wagnificent’ weekend.
😊 How clever he is.
Sounds like he has a good sense of humor.
He certainly is clever. There was another rearrangement when we walked by this morning. It’s a great way to start out the day seeing those things hanging all over the place. 🎃
I like folks who care enough to consciously do something like that. 😊
Beautiful nature shots. Love the Halloween decorations. That’s brilliant.
It’s still to warm here to think about Christmas. I refuse.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups, a smooch to Norman and a big hug to mom. ♥
Thanks Sandee. You’re right about it being way too early-I audibly groaned two weeks ago when I was in Costco at the sight of Christmas decor. It’s crazy!
Do you think they have enough skeletons?!
Can you even fathom? A baker’s dozen, the Colossus, 7 vultures, a dog and a gigantic spider! You’d need a separate storage shed just for all those Halloween decorations.
LOL!!
What a beautiful array of Autumn today! We are just now starting to cool down at night…LOVE the Hummingbird Moth…I saw one in the Spring, they are so very cool!
They are most fascinating. I’d never seen one, especially in my own garden! Have a great weekend.
That tree has its seasons mixed up, LOL! Maybe it was a last ditch effort to prove its worth as a living thing?!
I wonder if those pods on the wisteria would be carrying fertile seeds? My 2 year old ones are prolific growers, but still no blossoms. Maybe they need more time to mature?
There sure are a lot of fall signs in your ‘hood.
Those skellies made me giggle…though for the most part I actually loath Halloween…
I’m with you on the whole Halloween thing but I do enjoy the constantly rearranging of the Skellies. What I briefly discovered on Dr. Google, was those pods are in fact seeds, kind of like snapdragons. Wouldn’t it be great to start a whole new Wisteria vine from seed? Have a super weekend.
I saw a neighbor had their multiple tombstones and “skellies” already out at the beginning of the week (no roof-dwellers however), but they must have had to mow their lawn because when I went by yesterday they were all gone…and today they have all returned to the yard. Those “bodysnatching” pods you have there are perfect for October. And, that spunky tree decided it wasn’t done just yet, didn’t it? Gotta give it credit for being feisty. Have a bee-utiful weekend!
Right back atcha, Bruce. Yeah, I’m rooting for that poor pitiful tree surviving the winter. Flowering pears are notorious for croaking after a few years. Here’s wishing you a super weekend.
The neighbor with the skeletons has a good sense of humor! I’ve heard that when a tree is dying it will give a last harrah before the final death.
It’s really fun to see what he comes up with; though I can’t believe he plans on rearranging every day! Even every other day seems a lot. He must really like Halloween. It’s got a fortune invested in those decorations! Those skeletons are not cheap, if you can even find them!
Since it’s a flowering pear, I doubt it will survive the winter. But to see blossoms this time of year really blew me away. Wishing you and the kitties a great weekend.
Glad that that tree seems to make it still.
It’s likely not to survive the winter; flowering pears often die after a few short years which makes them not very reliable in a commercial setting in particular. Around here they advise not planting them for that reason. Have a great weekend.
Love the photo of the moth — I have been trying to get a shot of one for a very long time. And that bee! Love it!
They don’t linger long enough to be able to focus on them. And for some reason my ‘live’ photo feature is no longer functioning despite the setting specifically set. Argh.
That bee was the fattest little guy I’d ever seen. And busy as a well…you know…a bee! 🐝 Hope you and the fur-kids have a great weekend.
Charlee: “Ooh, a moth! We love moths! They flutter around all crazy-like!”
Java Bean: “I also like moths and try to catch them and eat them when I can!”
Chaplin: “Whaaat? We cats have something in common with a dog?!”
Lulu: “I’m afraid so, Chaplin.”
Can’t imagine they taste very good, but what a great wind up toy, eh guys?
what a show! I’m struck by the endurance of the first tree… just can’t write off things can we??? love the message. We have those moths this year and they are awesome. We also have a lot of run of the mill moths that are annoying. I saw a fat bumblebee and wondered was it the queen it was so big. No pretty flowers though, but I have a few wildflowers in pots that are holding on amid the dead ones.
This time of year is always fascinating to see what lingers and what gives up. I’m sure the tree will perish over the winter. It’s a flowering pear and while they are so pretty blooming, they are notoriously short-lived and no longer recommended for the Front Range. They tend to have a lot of serious branch breakage. Hope you, Milo and DH have a lovely weekend. The weather is perfect IMHO and hope it lasts to November. 🤞🏼
our people skip halloween and start with christmas decorations rght now ;O) … the tree touched my heart…. there are such things what go deep under our skin…
Noooo Christmas now? Ugh. The stores are decorating for that but no houses yet. Wishing you a very lovely autumn weekend.
Noooo…Christmas now? Ugh. The stores have their decorations out but thankfully no houses yet. Wishing you a very lovely autumn weekend.