We didn’t peak. Peakless. An Autumn without peak. Faded glory.
The leaves were changing and starting to fall in a cascade of colors. Then, something happened. They turned brown instead. After some devastating rains this summer, causing flooding for so many, we are now in desperate need of moisture. I wonder if the hot spell we had a few weeks ago, with 80° temperatures during the day and 70° at night, didn’t stump the colors. Cool nights are needed for the best of Autumn colors. The leaves are falling now, dried and brittle, without the color we expect, while there are still a lot of green leaves on the trees and shrubs.
The other day, the weather bureau issued a Red Flag Warning with the possibility of brush fires, a common problem in Southern California, but, not around Chicago. These weather conditions are what fanned the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The asters. Ahhh, the asters have been brilliant. I don’t know when I have seen them perform with
such verve as they have this year, nor have I seen them in such abundance.
The grasses are at the height of their beauty, waving in the wind that threatened the area earlier this week. Above is a specimen whose name I do not know. She is dancing with the burning bush in the background. I love the contrast in this pairing of airy white and shocking red, grass vs leaves, tall and stately vs round and seductive – all frolicking in front of the Elmhurst Police Station.
Who is performing in the outdoor theater around you?
We had some beautiful color early on as well. The colors are still russet with some yellow in some places. The maples didn’t perform as well around us, they turned a little at a time. We were on a lake yesterday that is surrounded by oaks and the different shades of russet and brown with an occasional yellow splash of some other tree were lovely. The sky was so blue and we saw a pair of deer on shore and listened to angry squirrels bark at them. The crowning glory was watching a small eagle swoop down and back up with a fish in its talons. We didn’t catch many fish, but the trip was lovely. I always enjoy going to a different lake.
It sounds like a wonderful day, Janet. To see the majesty of an eagle swooping in for his prey must have been a sight to behold. Their vision is so acute. To be able to see the fish from on high and grab it at just the right moment. It is good you had a lovely trip, in spite of few fish. It all sounds so peaceful. I just love fall, even when the trees don’t perform on command.
Silly me, I forgot to tell you how beautiful your photos are. Your asters are really showing off.
Thank you. I wish the asters were mine. I have a puny little clump. These were in a public garden in Elmhurst. After seeing them, however, I am determined to put more in next year. Just the color we need when everything else is fading. Have you had a frost yet?
For us it’s the blousy dahlias. They are very obvious and not subtle but I love them to bits. Your asters are just stunning, I must plant some more next year. It’s so worth putting in those late-flowering blooms. They stayed stubbornly green until mid August: and ever since they have outshone the rest of the garden and brought so much pleasure.
Lovely post:-)
The late flowering blooms seem to be brighter, but, maybe it is because everything else is dying back. I plan to put in more asters myself next year. I like dahlias, but, I’m always too lazy to dig them out and replant them come spring. I love your descriptor of them – blousy! Yes!
Thank you.
Beautiful photos Penny. It sounds as though you are experiencing quite different weather to be not getting your usual autumn colours, I think that the weather patterns have changed globally. Today is our first really hot day, the first without a nip in the air, it has a real summer feel to it.
Thank you. I love fall and am enjoying it this year, but the colors just aren’t as vibrant here. Now, if you were to visit you would likely think it was pretty, and it is, just not one of the best years for color. We haven’t had our first hard frost yet, which I am sure will be nipping at us soon enough. I hope you get a bit more of spring and don’t just rush into summer weather.
Who is performing near me? Well apparently that lovely scene in front of the Elmhurst Police Station, which I hadn’t noticed until seeing your beautiful photo! I noticed the colors were a bit drab this year too. Well, Kate isn’t missing as much as she thinks as far as Chicago autumns go anyway!
When our Katy was in California, Pasadena no less, home of the Rose Bowl Parade, she missed the changing colors. I mentioned it to the Moonies and they sent her leaves! It really was lovely in front of the Police Station, and may be still.