Wilson: {continuing} Like I said, windy conditions are making good at disbursing leaves all over. But there still are a few trees that seem reluctant to let go of autumn, most notably the Bradford pears. They will keep shedding leaves for probably another month. Our neighbor has a pair in his front yard and Mum sometimes grumbles when they finally fall all over her sidewalk when it snows. Nothing like shoveling the sidewalk when the first snowflakes of the season arrive and its half full of Bradford pear leaves. But they sure are pretty. Just look at their color when most trees are down to their branches!
The Mum: Those Bradford pear trees scream “GOOD MORNING WORLD!” every day when we walk past the old Elitches theatre on our morning constitutional. It’s a perfect autumn scene made even more perfect by the morning quiet before the city wakes up in earnest.
Wilson: Another colorful specimen is this Scarlet Firethorn tree. Looks like the birds who stay here during the winter will be well supplied with a nice batch of berries.
The Mum: That firethorn ranks right up there in color with this Japanese Barberry Bush-another screamer.
Wilson: What? I can’t hear you, that bush is too loud.
The Mum: You’re too funny, you know that, House Pony? So we had some interesting astrological sightings this week. With the Beaver Moon appearing recently we were also treated to some spectacular Aurora Borealis showers over the past couple of days, I never thought I’d see them in person here with our dense neighborhood tree canopy but my son sent me pics a few pics he took from just north of the the Boulder city limits. The colors were incredible and did not disappoint. I loved seeing the tiny white stars showing up in the dark skies. When you live in the city, you get used to not seeing a lot of stars because of light pollution in a metro area so when you’re in an area that has little or no competition, it’s always a wondrous sight.
Wilson: Pretty cool celestial happenings, Mum. With just 41 days until Christmas, the local neighborhood tree lot is getting ready to ramp up for the season. Although we posted about this lot showing up a couple of weeks ago, does anyone else find this signage somewhat ironic? “Fresh Christmas trees” in November…hahaha. While they haven’t begun to display trees and wreaths just yet, but I think not, at least not this early in the season. They are beginning to put out lighted spheres out that were very pretty when they had them last year along with a nice ‘herd’ of log moose and reindeer. It’s nice and festive especially as our landscape continues to get browner and browner.
The Mum: Speaking of moose and reindeer, do you see any other critters this week on our walks?
Wilson: As a matter of fact, I did although I have never seen one of these before, either in Colorado or Missouri. What the dog is that thing?
The Mum: Silly Floof, it’s just more of unusual garden art that amuses me. This one is in the form of an alligator sunning himself on a low wall. I can’t wait until it’s covered in snow. Now that will be a sight!
Wilson: Harumph…well I for one don’t plan on encountering it, not with that set of choppers.
The Mum: Don’t worry, this guy can’t hurt you. It did made me chuckle though. You know how much I love finding these unique pieces of garden art around the neighborhood.
Wilson: You’re so weird, Mum. Well that’s it for us this week. Hope you’ve taken time out of your busy holiday preparations to get outside and enjoy Nature, Northern Lights and the unusual. Let us know if you have any unusual plans. From both of us, we hope you have a ‘furbulous’ weekend!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
THE Northern Litess are simplee amazin aren’t they Miss Monika an Wilson?? BellaSita has seen them 5 timess inn her Life an they allwayss take her breath away shee meowed to mee. All THE red treess an plantss are so gorgeeuss. Most of our leevess are on THE ground. Autumm iss goin bye too fast. Why has thisyeer z00med bye?
THE lawn ornymint iss heelareeus! Wee shuud get one fore our front yard, mew mew mew..
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
Thanks…it was such a surprise they were in our area-sorta.
Autumn is such a beautiful time of year and the reds prove that over and over. Thanks for enjoying our nature post.
Wee love yore Furiday Nature postss alot!!!
BellaSita meowed Northern Litess aRE goin more South alltho shee not nose why Miss Monika an Wilson…iss a mystery 😉
Aww, you’re too sweet. Thank you. It’s sure a mystery to us as to why they showed up in Colorado, but we’re very grateful!
We are with you Wilson, the leaves have been very “loud” and proud this year!!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Loud but bdeautiful!
We know what you’re meant with that screaming bush, Wilson, we heard it too…MOL…The colors are amazing, never seen that before. It’s time the Nothern Light is spreading itself to our Country😻Double Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday to the both of you🐾💞
They were so loud, I had to hold my paws up on my ears! Enjoy those amazing northern lights. They are something else. Hope it was a great weekend!
Thanks for taking us on your walks. There are always some interesting sights and I especially liked the autumn colors.
Thanks, Sue. It’s been an interesting autumn to say the least. Hope you’ve had a great weekend.
I love the alligator sculpture!! So fun! It’s been cloudy here so I didn’t see the lights although i heard we could have gotten cell phone images down by the lake.
Thanks, Martha. Wasn’t it clever? I so love unusual garden like that. While I would have loved to personally see the northern lights, truth be told I’ve had so much on my plate even if conditions would have been favorable in my neighborhood, I still probably wouldn’t have been able to fully appreciate and enjoy but my son knew I’d love to see his pics and he was right. He’s so thoughtful that way. We hope you’ve been enjoying a swell weekend.
We’ve got nice weather going here as well right now and I really shouldn’t have said tha . . .
The wind is another matter, but yeah, I guess it does provide a service to us in that it scatters all that mess. Of course, it’s not how I’m feeling after raking a mound to the curb and then watching them flutter but yeah, LOL.
LOUD yes. And these colors are delicious to the senses as well.
Christmas tree time . . we knew it was coming.
Hope you guys are having a splendid weekend
You know, Mother Nature tends to take notes about comments like that. LOL There’s nothing good can be said about wind…any time of year.
Christmas coming…yes but cut trees…at the beginning of November. Nope. Here’s hoping your weather holds out and you have a great weekend.
I’ve heard tell she does . . .
You got that right! I went for a walk and it would have been rather pleasant if not for that dratted wind. Yes, dratted.
Cut tree at the beginning of November is just mean if you ask me.
I’m with you all the way around!
BOOM!
Walked by the lot yesterday-trees are now being displayed-just in time to dry out by the middle of December (we haven’t had any moisture since early September!).
It’s cruel if you ask me.
Our silly Bradford Pears haven’t even STARTED to lose leaves but almost all the other trees have…….our yard is totally covered in leaves now – just three weeks ago when the landscapers were here re-seeding, aerating, etc., they blew all the leaves into the woods and now it looks like they were never here! Well, Mom and Dad said they wanted a wooded lot and by golly that’s what they got!!!!! I like burrowing in the leaves and turning around so only my head is out of the leaves. Mom giggles. Dad rolls his eyes. While they are laughing I’m in my little leaf hut going potty. TEE HEEEEEEEEEEE
Hugs, Teddy
Bradfords are the last to leaf out and the last to shed their leaves. Trying to outfox falling leaves is an exercise in futility. Every year I think I have a new strategy but every year, Nature says, “not so fast.” LOL
I’ll bet you looked beyond adorable hiding in the leaves.. We hope you and your paw-rents have a pawtastic weekend!
Your autumn is certainly colorful. As for the alligator, I’d much rather have that one than a real one in my yard (an actual possibility here) any day.
Thank you. We’re with you on the ‘gator sighting. Wouldn’t want to encounter one of those prehistoric creatures either! Have a paw-tastic weekend!
Your trees are lovely, especially the scarlet firehorn one. Hadn’t heard of that one before.
LOL at “chompers” Don’t worry Wilson your brave mom will protect you from him! 😂
Happy weekend!! Enjoy the 70’s!
Oh and yes, love your northern lights! Sadly, it was too cloudy here. But we did get to see them 2 years ago here, which was amazing!
Thanks. I think my plant identifier may have mis-identified it. Firethorn is a kind of Pyracantha but the photo is of a tree. Now you can understand why I don’t trust AI. Grrr.
It was cloudy at my house too plus I think the tree canopy hid them; thankfully my son shared his photos from about 40 miles away. They sure were pretty. Have a great weekend.
Yes, cannot trust AI!
Yay for your son in sharing his beautiful photos.
Weekend is going well. Family photos were a success! 🥰
Glad to hear your photos session was successful! Yay.
Thanks! I’m eager to see the photos!
So it was a professional shoot? Cool.
Yes! It has been a long time since we had one done. So glad we finally did it! And you will see them😉
Looking forward to it!
😊
That’s a nice big bunch of pretty colors Wilson!
Thanks, Terry. Autumn is such a colorful season and we’re happy to share it with you. Hope you nad the kitties have a great weekend.
Awesome photos. My husband was just asking me the name of a bush that grows in pastures and is picky – I couldn’t think of it until I saw your barberry- thank you. Have a nice weekend. XO
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the post and it answered a question your husband has. 🙂 We hope you have a terrific weekend.
Such beautiful autumn colours and berries sweet Wilson and the photos of the aurora are amazing! 💖🌌 xxx
Aww, thanks, Xenia.You’re too kind. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year; we absolutely love the colors. We hope you and precious Bria have an amazing weekend.
I love Japanese Barberry, got one for my yard even though I’m really pushing it here in Zone 10b!
It’s pretty spectacular in autumn. Kinda ordinary in the summer but has great texture for any garden. Have a beautiful weekend!
Love those screaming bushes and trees. The Bradford pears here just turn yellow and that’s it. The Aurora Borealis photos were terrific. Thanks for sharing. We did not get to see them here. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Thanks, John. Anytime you can see red foliage in autumn makes for a great day. Have a terrific weekend. Ear rubs for Tempeste and Twiggy.
Autumn is such a pretty month, a last-hurrah party! Wish we could slow time a bit, I’m in no hurry for the white stuff. 🙂
I know what you mean about the snow. I’m surprised we haven’t had a storm yet. And I sure as heck am not looking forward to shoveling a large corner lot just yet. 😉
Have a terrific weekend.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful autumn and atmospheric treats with us. We still have a few trees hanging onto their leaves, but three days of stiff winds have cleared a lot of them away. I hope you guys have a great weekend!
Thanks, Dan. I never thought I’d see Northern Lights in Denver so it was a pleasant surprise. The windy conditions are trying hard to clear spent leaves, it won’t be long now before they’re all on the ground. Have a wonderful weekend!
Love the reds in the picture and the lights.
Many thanks, Esther. They were pretty gobsmacking by our standards. We hope your weekend is full of wonderful sights!
The light on those trees is just beautiful.
Thinking of Christmas….in our area of France they had a mania for Santa Claus figures climbing up house walls….looked like a special forces outing!
Special Forces…bwahahahahaha! That’s too funny, Helen. This morning on our regular walk, we saw one of those 12 foot Skellies with a Santa hat and a ‘Ho Ho Ho’ tee shirt. I guess that’s one way to extend their presence. Personally, I think I’d rather see Santa figures bivouacking! That morning light really did those trees justice, didn’t it? Thanks. Have a lovely weekend. We hope you’re feeling better and can actually enjoy it.
That was a most lovely tour, Wilson and Monika! Thank you for taking us along!
Thank you so much for joining us.So glad you enjoyed it. Here’s wishing you have a great weekend.
And to you, as well! 🙂
Wow, the Aurora Borealis showers were spectacular. I’m also happy that your son sent you pics of it. And the red in the plants are so pretty. We’ve got a lot of brown leaves still hanging on trees here.
Thanks guys. Nature was very generous to us this week for which we’re quite grateful. Hope you have a terrific weekend!
Great photos and narrative. The SoCal autumn has been extraordinary but over the next few days we have a very big rain storm coming in. The ever popular “atmospheric river” and I guess it will head your way afterwards. I look forward to a couple of days of rain knowing that I’ll be complaining if it starts happening with greater frequency. Have a good weekend.
Thanks-we appreciate your comment and so happy to see you around these parts. Oooh, an atmospheric river…I wonder if that means we’ll be getting some moisture in a week or so. It’s that time of year when we get hit with a surprise storm. I’m sure Thanksgiving will be interesting. Have a great weekend.
We had some cold days that stayed in the 20’s this week which took down the rest of the leaves. Today Mom hopes to get the mower out one last time and mulch them all down as it is supposed to be 60 today, probably the last time for a while. Love that alligator, I doubt it will appreciate being snowed on. Have a fun weekend!
The temps have been so mild, when it gets cold, we’ll likely be shocked. On the few mornings when it’s been below freezing, Mum has struggled trying to wear gloves, hang on to me and holding on to my ‘gift bag’ until she can find a rubbish bin to deposit it. Sheesh, you’d think she’d be grateful for a ‘gift.’ Don’t let your Mum work too hard on mulching the leaves. Have a wagnificent weekend!
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
I have enjoyed each picture even more than usual…and that is a great deal. Beautiful examples of Nature’s grandeur! I wish that alligator lived here, I would go see him many times. I saw plenty while living in FL.
Aww, aren’t you sweet, Carole. Thank you. We use our walks to focus on ordinary but interesting things we might otherwise overlook. Nature can be subtle or smack you over the head with its beauty. The trick is to look for it. I cannot imagine living in a place with gators! While just as dangerous, I think I prefer moose. 🤣 Have a truly marvy weekend!
I do not like the hot temps into NOVEMBER here now. Of course we can’t open windows at night because of the gas lines work causing me to lose sight often (7 weeks now and still counting) but I used to see the AB when I lived in Edmonton. What a spectacle and people dragged lawn chairs out to watch the show
LeeAnna
70’s do seem strange but after the summer from hell, 70 ain’t bad at all, even if it’s November. What a real treat the northern part of the hemisphere enjoys with the Northern Lights. I saw several pics originating from all over the metro area on social media-they were spectacular and not to be taken for granted. We hope you get some relief soon and are able to enjoy the weekend.
Lulu: “SQUIRREL!!!”
Java Bean: “Ayyy, those Northern Lights are amazing! We can’t see them from here, but lots of Dada’s friends and relatives back East have been posting pictures too!”
Thanks. We naively believed we’d only witness the Northern Lights in Alaska so we were tickled pink to see them make a couple of appearances in the metro area was a real treat. We hope you all enjoy a swell weekend!
ooh the sky… and this wonderful colors… we also love the gator… he looks a little hungry
Those northern lights were simply exquisite! And anytime we can see red foliage, Mum is happy. We hope you guys have a Weim-erific weekend!
Love the berries! I love anything with berries. We have a relatively new crabapple tree and this year there is a bumper crop. Anxious to see how long they last.
Thanks, Kate, aren’t they pretty? We love it when Nature provides meals for her critters, especially when the weather turns harsh. Have a wonderful weekend enjoying Nature’s bounty.
Wilson, we have some stubborn trees here as well. It has been windy pretty much all week, but while the leaves have turned in color many are not interested in turning away from their branches. We like our loud bushes too, always on the lookout for those fire-red screamers. Those berries on the Firethorn look like an ample food supply for the locals to enjoy. We have holly bushes our birds like to frequent frequently. I think that alligator is smiling at you, hence the choppers on display. You two can co-exist nicely. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Bruce. We probably wouldn’t mind the stubborn leaves is we weren’t downwind just looking for places to land…as in our covered patio. I don’t dare guess how much they’ve been filling up the gutters. LOL Between those Bradford Pears and the Catalpa leaves from across the street, we get buried ankle deep in crunchy leaves. Here’s wishing you a wonderful weekend to enjoy all the beauty Nature so generously presents us.
Christmas tree time already! Yikes!
True enough but then I realize Christmas is just 41 days away. Still…they’ve been setting up since the first of the month…way too early for me. Have a great weekend!