“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.” e.e. cummings
Yes!
We have enjoyed some amazing “blue dream” skies hereabouts as summer drifts into fall.
Autumn is a favorite time of year for me as warm days give way to cooler nights which bring about the vivid shades of reds and yellows and browns that dapple the many forests and the parkways of my existence. There are hints of Autumn splendor now, even as we mourn the wilting flowers that proclaim their weariness as they turn brown, set seed and die back.
While the woods transform, so do the prairies. They are a moveable feast for the birds and for the pollinators gathering from the plethora of seeds and the last of summer’s blooms. I love to watch the goldfinch, the chickadees and other feathered friends as they flit about gathering sustenance for their journeys on the long winter ahead.
These are, I believe, sawtooth sunflowers. They have brushed the prairie landscape in magnificent swathes of golden splendor and rise above their cousins to amazing heights, touching the sky and daring my beloved Antler Man to see how much taller they are than he is. These sunflowers rise more than 10 feet tall.
So, dear friends, off I go to see what I can see, in search of honey and treetops and all which I hope will remain infinite on this journey of life and for everything that is yes.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Loved this, Penny! I’ll admit, I’m jealous of your taste of autumn…we’re still waiting. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos!
LikeLike
You are most welcome, Jill. We know, hereabout, that winter will follow and will likely be rough, but, I do love this season so and hope that you get a bit of autumn soon. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, Penny! Thank you. Today was cloudy, but I got outside to garden earlier. Other than that I’ve done computer work, shopping, mundane stuff. Your beautiful post made me look outside. It’s actually pretty nice right now. I’m going to go sit on the front stoop and watch the sunset.
LikeLike
As I started to respond, I realized that it is 6:30 and my phone tells me that it is the time for today’s sunset. I hope you are on your porch watching it, Sue. We are overcast here right now. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll catch the setting sun. Thank you, Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your beautiful post about autumn made me so nostalgic for that part of the world this time of the year! It looks like you’re getting some gorgeous weather.
LikeLike
Thank you, Janet. We’ve had just about every kind of weather here this past week. 50’sand rainy with today’s promise of 80+. Still . . . there have been some very autumnal days and nights to enjoy. I wish you were here. The leaves are starting to turn and I’m thinking they will be glorious this year. (I always think that 🙂 )
LikeLike
I am always so amazed, looking at your photos, that the third largest city in the country harbors so many “wild” places in its midst. Love that first photo.
LikeLike
Thank you, Karen, it is amazing. The older I get, the more I appreciate what others have done, in another century, to preserve natural areas in such populated, industrialized, concrete heavy areas. The first photo is a slough about 5 miles from our home.
LikeLike
What a special transition this is, as autumn advances but doesn’t yet bite. I love the bit about the flowere that ‘proclaim their weariness’, and I feel the glow of gratitude in this post, bathing it in warmth.
LikeLike
I like that phrasing, Juliet – “as autumn advances but doesn’t yet bite”. It describes, perfectly, what is and will be. Thank you. You must be seeing some early signs of spring now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post with equally lovely photos, Penny (and a very apt quote from e.e. cummings). The sunflowers are amazing! There were some near me that unfortunately were cut down. I’m enjoying the blue sky right now. I love autumn!
LikeLike
Thank you, L. Marie, and oh-so-sorry that those sunflowers were cut down already. 😦 They tend to look scraggly now, but the birds love the seeds. I love Autumn too – and Trader Joe’s autumnal tea should be out. Hmmm . . . I need to head over there today. 🙂
PS – I’m sorry I’ve been so late recently in viewing your posts, which I love. I seem to be on a busy trajectory lately.
LikeLike
This was a perfect posting, Penny.
LikeLike
Thank you, Nan.
LikeLike
Dear Penny, and I am saying “yes” to your love of nature, which you share with us in this post and many others. You and Sue from “Elephant’s Child” (down in Australia) both love birds and flora and fauna and the beauty you both share on your blogs enriches my life. thank you. Peace.
LikeLike
I am so pleased for you to say this, Dee. Thank you for your kind words. There is such beauty in nature that gives me joy and eases my soul. Peace.
LikeLike
My heart always does a little happy jump at this particular e .e. cummings poem, Penny. If I could think back clearly I’d like to say that you introduced me to it in the first place a few years ago. That’s my “not so clear” memory anyway. 🙂
And those sunflowers must be absolutely spectacular to behold. Our seasonal changes are still quite subtle, but they are definitely observable, and I’m enjoying this season, too. As you mention your movable feast across the prairie, I thought you might find it amusing if you could watch our squirrel population prepare for winter! It always makes me laugh. Our oak tree is dropping acorns and these silly squirrels are grabbing them in their little cheeks and taking them around the garden and burying them for winter. As we have NO snow and little true winter weather, it still brings a smile knowing that by instinct they are preparing! I could put a plate-full of acorns out every day of the winter season, but they’re taking care of themselves.
I loved your photos and am so glad you’re feeling refreshed and enriched with autumn in the air and showing itself across your beautiful prairie! ox
LikeLike
I think I use this at least once a year, Debra, usually come Autumn, but, I’m pretty sure in Spring as well. I should make a poster of it. 🙂
The sunflowers are pretty amazing. There are so many types of sunflowers that grow here and these sawtooth ones are that grand finale. Tom is quite tall and has an 8 foot reach, so . . . They are amazing to see at the distance, there sea of yellow clouded the earth as much as they sky. Ha! those squirrels – they squirrel nuts away no matter where they reside. Even though you might not have cold and snow as we do, you do have a season where the acorns need be in the squirrels’ larder.Gosh, Debra, you now have me wanting to find Beatrix Potter’s “Squirrel Nutkin”.
Thank you, my friend. I do love autumn so, even though I know what comes next. We had 80+ degree temps two days ago. It is in the 50s today. 🙂 Off I go to take a walnut, still in the husk, out of a wreath on the front porch.
LikeLike
What a beautiful poem and post Penny. Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year.
LikeLike
Thank you, Gerlinde. I’ve used this poem by e. e. cummings so often I should make a wall plague of it. 🙂 I think Autumn is my favorite time of year.
LikeLike
I need say only “yes”. This is perfect.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sallie, and “yes”. 🙂
LikeLike