“Some single trees, wholly bright scarlet, seen against others of their kind still freshly green, or against evergreens, are more memorable than whole groves will be by-and-by. How beautiful, when a whole tree is like one great fruit full of ripe juices, every leaf from lowest limb to topmost spire, all aglow, especially if you look toward the sun! What more remarkable object can there be in the landscape? Visible for miles, too fair to be believed. If such a phenomenon occurred but once, it would be handed down by tradition to posterity, and get into the mythology at last.”
-From “Autumnal Tints” by Henry Thoreau; 1862
One of our most memorable moments was on a fine October day, ten or so years ago, at Walden Pond. You can read about it here. On that remarkable day, Tom and I walked and talked and didn’t talk, seeing the original site of Thoreau’s cabin and a reconstruction of it. The air was crisp and clear and the scenery mystical. The photo on top was taken on Walden Pond on that long ago day.
Across the pond, a singular tree accented the landscape and glowed like no other. When Thoreau’s quote popped up in my internet wandering, I immediately thought of the scarlet tree at Walden Pond.
Thoreau’s quote and our Walden Pond walk came to mind once more as Tom and I walked, much closer to home, at one of our favorite spots, Lake Katherine. It was the same sort of cool, crisp October day, with the sun shining, powder puff clouds sprinkled here and there, the soft crunch of fallen leaves at our feet – and the brilliant mythology of Autumn before us.
Where do you go to find your own myths of nature?
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
What magnificent photos Penny! I love the colors of Autumn and I love the idea, very true, how if it happened just once it would become a part of mythology!
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Thank you so very much, Janet. I love the colors as well. They were slow to start, but, the past several days they have been radiant. Isn’t it a great quote? Thoreau, like Frost, always seem to speak to me.
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What a magical place to visit! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos, Penny. There’s something special about being outside and enjoying nature’s beauty, isn’t there?
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It is, Jill – and it is a manmade lake. They did a wonderful job with foresight in planning it and in what was plantedt. I could not agree more that yes, yes indeed, there is something special about being outside and enjoying nature. Thank you, Jill.
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Lovely photos and prose, Penny. There are trees right in my neighborhood that have beautiful autumn color. And I’ve been struck by the beauty going down busy streets like Naper Blvd. in Naperville. Hubby and I have been checking out the arboretum every week, and while there is beauty there always, I don’t think the autumn colors have been spectacular like some years. Will check it out again this week. Got to savor what color I DO find.
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I didn’t think the arboretum has been as colorful either, Sue, but, went there on Sunday, with the grey skies and drizzle (and long lines of cars). It was actually pretty spectacular on the east side with golden colors galore. Let us know what you see if you go there this week. I know what you mean about savor whatever color is to be seen. Thank you, Sue.
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Went back to the arboretum today, six days after our last visit. You’re right, “spectacular” fits now! Gorgeous. Hard to believe the difference in that short a time.
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Thanks for coming back and letting us know, Sue. I”m so glad you were able to get back to the Arb and that the colors were “spectacular”. It really is amazing how quickly the leaves can turn.
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There is such serenity and also brilliance in this post and the photos Penny. I’ve spent the day deeply immersed in a meditation Intensive and your post matches my inner world perfectly this evening. Thank you for capturing such beauty. I would loved to visit Walden Pond.
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Oh, dear Juliet, how I love reading your comment and of your day of meditation and inner world. I love that! I think you would love Walden Pond. Your inner spirit and appreciation of all the earth has to offer captures this special place in all you do. Thank you for your kind words.
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I do love me a beautiful tree, and these are gorgeous. Thank you for the Thoreau quote, too…equally beautiful.
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They are so beautiful in their own right, aren’t they? I just noticed that I put the same photo in twice. Oops. I’ll need to correct that. sigh. It was Thoreau’s quote that made me do it. 🙂 Seriously, Sheila, the quote called to me and the the trees in Autumn just do their own “thing”. Thank you fo much for stopping by and for commenting.
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Oh how beautiful!!! Fall is such a lovely time of year. And what a great post to emphasize that. I will have to send a friend your blog. She so wanted to see some fall color when we were in Pennsylvania. Alas the trees had not yet turned.
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Thank you, L. Marie. I couldn’t agree more. Fall is so lovely. I was trying to change one of the photos just now, realizing I had used the same one twice, and ended up using another one twice. Sigh. I hope your friend saw this before I tried to edit it. 😦 I am sorry that the trees had not yet turned when you were in Pennsylvania, where I’m sure it would have been gorgeous. Enjoy the foliage show that is going on now.
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I forwarded the blog to her. She told me, “Love! So beautiful!”
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Oh, you are a dear, L. Marie. Thank you for forwarding it on and thank you for her reply. I appreciate it.
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“Myths of nature.” I just love that, Penny. I have never been to Walden Pond and I would be utterly enchanted by the experience, I know. For so many of us who take delight in the natural world, Thoreau’s writings came to us at a young age and took root forever! Your photos are stunning, my friend. I think you must experience a glorious fall in your wooded areas, and I’m so glad you and Tom have Lake Katherine. Your post was uplifting and timely. Thank you.
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Isn’t it great? I love it, too, Debra. I’ve grown to love Thoreau’s words more and more as I grow older. Visiting Walden Pond was such a thrill and one we both recall fondly. The woods here are starting to show their colors. I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t get much color this year, but, the colors are truly starting to come out. 🙂 I wish you could be here and see it, Debra, and I appreciate your thoughtful words.
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Trees do have their very special story as you beautifully put it “Myths of Nature.” Wishing you many more memorable walks along the lake.
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Thank you for your kind comment and for visiting here. I look forward to many more walks in nature.
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“The mythology of Autumn..”…..just the phrase alone belongs in my poetry collection. Or perhaps your whole lovely post. I have just begun reading Walden Pond..in my filling the gaps project. We’ve been enjoying Autumn walks by the Willamette River this week.
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Awwww Sallie, you are kind and I thank you. It is a wonderful passage. I’ll get over to your blog, hopefully later today, and see what you’ve been up to. I am envious of your walks by the Williamette River. Wonderful. The wonderful thing about Walden Pond is that Thoreau’s words are always there. Enjoy.
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