“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
We are definitely feeling autumn in the air as our first real surge of cool air arrived this weekend. This summer look from earlier in the week will soon take on a different appearance. Many areas in the west had a lot of snow last week!
Out first garden Monarchs of the season arrived Friday and PJ chased the weary butterflies all over the yard with her camera in hand. They love lantana and zinnias. Pam noticed a difference in their activity depending on which flower they were on. When on lantana, they open their wings more often, and keep them open for longer intervals. An observation we had not picked up on before.
A throwback of sorts, this is the lotus flower bog I discovered in July. We shared several pics and some interesting info about this aquatic plant in SSS No. 350. I thought it would be interesting to see the changes taking place as the growing season comes to a close…
…and here we are in mid-October. I may return in mid-winter and in the spring to get a better idea of the complete life cycle of this interesting plant.
Some of you possibly saw this flower in the July post, but just in case, it is a beauty that is worth seeing again! Today the same spot has a very different appearance…
…and I think you will agree!
The circle of life as time ticks on, these stems have served their purpose.
The seed pods were at various stages in July, with some mature (background) and others like this younger one.
Today many mature pods are still standing tall. Note the seeds that remain, each in their own separate hiding place!
None remain that have the color variations of this summer phase.
This was one of the tallest that I spotted, and while it is still facing toward heaven, others nearby have bowed their heads!
Looking like little umbrellas, I imagine all have completed the task of dropping their seeds to provide for a future generation!
They will all eventually end up on the soggy ground and many were already lying beneath the canopy of dying leaves. The American lotus flower is protected in some places and considered invasive in others. Such is life!
I borrowed a pic from PJ of an autumnal look taking shape across part of the garden. I was thinking the big orange pumpkin won’t survive many more mid 80 degree days, but now with a few nights in the 40’s, maybe it will make it a bit longer? It is difficult to keep pumpkins for as long as we would like…mid September until Thanksgiving. Most just won’t last that long. Possibly they do in cooler areas of the country?
I mentioned during last week’s fungi tour that I had a lot more that I wanted to share. PJ informed me that there are just so many pictures that folks wish to see and can endure of things like mushrooms, and I understand. But I did promise one more and hopefully you will agree this one is quite interesting; not necessarily picturesque, but interesting.
Sure signs of autumn are clearly seen as the fruits of the growing season ripen and mature, providing food for wildlife and seed for another generation. We have a variety of critters that enjoy our persimmons.
When the magnolia shows red, we know October has arrived!
A lot of beautiful shades of pink and orange in our evening skies last week! Grateful for the opportunity to take it all in!
I enjoy your comments, feedback and encouragement. As always, we wish you a delightful and pleasant week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
I love your mushroom photo, it is very architectural and interesting. Lovely lotus cycle of life shots too.
Thank you Carole.
Thanks Carole. Wishing you a lovely week!
Happy Sunday and Fall temperatures Pam and Butch! It is fascinating the study nature through your eyes, you both are so knowledgeable and notice the tiniest details. We had to throw 6 pumpkins away the other day, so sad! I have read that if you spray them with bleach/water solution that helps prevent decay…I hope you enjoy this beautiful Fall Sunday!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. As soon as we brought the pumpkins home, we gave them a bath in bleach water. It probably helps them to last a little longer. Enjoy this gorgeous day!
I wish I had done that, I was too lazy!
Pam and Butch-Your butterfly pic was definitely worth chasing it around the yard. The lotus cycle of life was interesting. I’m noticing more fungi in our yard too. Loving the fall weather that arrived yesterday. The pumpkins are so pretty. I wish they would last 3 months too but the hot weather and wildlife gets ours. Love the sunset pics. Enjoy your day sweet friends. Clara❤️
Thanks so much Clara. Have a beautiful autumn week!
I love today’s post of the circle of life for these plants. I think observing the aquatic plant in four seasons is a great idea. Actually observing any of them in the four seasons is interesting to me. Some of the pictures of the droopy ones remind me of myself now in my mid seventies.😄
Thank you Nancy. I couldn’t help but chuckle with you and fully understand your last sentence. I sometimes feel the same way!
Good morning, Butch and Pam. I love the photos of the Lotus Bog. All I could think about when I saw the dried seed pods was how stunning they would be in a flower arrangement. The flowers are beautiful as well. There is simply so much beauty in our world, we can’t begin to see it all. But it is marvelous to try.
Thank you for all the lovely photos and the work you do to bring them to life. Have a beautiful day and week ahead!
Thank you Sandra. I was hoping Butch could harvest some of the dried seed pods, but he would have needed waders in order to reach them! Happy week to you!
Beautiful photos! God’screation os so amazing.
Linda, thank you and Amen!
O the wonder of it all through your eyes…details that might otherwise be missed. The pod progression has a bittersweet
quality about it.. the bent, brown pods giving off the last of their seeds.. yet, the forthcoming anticipation of newly greened
pods and bursts of blossoms…. The cycle of life around us is cause for curiosity and awe and I thank you both for discerning
the stages and documenting them for us, especially the monarch activity and even the mushroom formations that have a
beauty of their own. It takes special hearts to recognize our world in the smallest things. Blessed Sabbath, dear ones.
Your lovely written words always warm our hearts. Thank you Mary!
Beautiful post ! Gorgeous pictures! Hugs and blessings.
Thank you, Maristella. Sending hugs 🤗
I enjoyed seeing the different stages of the American Lotus flower. Awesome! Beautiful post that blessed me. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you for your visit, Elizabeth!
Butch I’m waiting for what you will learn why the butterfly opens its wings on one plant and not the other. I haven’t seen them this year. Our world is showing the results of poor management.
The magnolia is beautiful all year. I use a lot of it at Christmas but have to order it. Oh the mushroom ruffles are beautiful and so are the lotus pods
Thank you Alice. There is much to learn about God’s creation. We are awed to just observe! Have a wonderful week dear one!
I just found your blog about two months ago. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Thank you for sharing such beautiful places with us. You live in a glorious state.
Thanks so much Lisa. I am so glad you found Everyday Living ♥️
Hello dear friends! Seeing the changes of the seasons in your area flowers is such a delight!
The butterflies are always a treat to see.
Thank you for the stroll… happy week to you both!
Thank you, Nancy. Wishing you a Happy Week!
I have a flowerbed full of lantana that was outside my office window. I changed rooms and miss seeing all the monarchs as I work.
Donna, thanks so much for stopping by.