“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
1 John 3:11
Little River Falls is beautiful any time of the year, but autumn is our favorite time to visit. Little River Canyon National Preserve in northeast Alabama is only a short drive for us and the falls is just below a main highway. Whether using the steps or the ramp, accessibility to the viewing platform is an easy walk for all ages and abilities. Little River is said to be the nation’s longest mountaintop river.
This view is from downstream, below Little River Falls. Fall color was abundant last week, but probably not quite peak.
The garden is in transition as some summer plants are still doing well while being surrounded by others that definitely know it is mid-October!
Mums usually don’t provide long lasting color and I’ve often wondered if they are worth the price. I have learned to purchase plants that are not yet blooming, and I also immediately re-pot them in larger containers because they are always very root bound. They are looking much better and lasting longer this season.
Squirrels have been at work under a nearby hickory tree but somehow this mushroom has escaped any damage. It is as big as a dinner plate. I thought it was trash and had walked over to pick it up!
We have now experienced frost and sub freezing temps so I figure the monarchs have moved on. I spotted this one on a water hyacinth along the edge of the lake before last week’s cold front.
A dragonfly also found water hyacinths to its liking. Dragonflies may not be popular for their looks, but this one does have a head that is a nice turquoise color!
Blue mistflower has many long thin petals in each flower giving it a misty look. It is a native to the south and east, and belongs to the aster family, along with daisies and sunflowers! I am seeing a lot of it along one of my jogging trails where there is plenty of sun.
After visiting Little River Falls, PJ and I took a drive along the rim of the canyon. It is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River. The rim road covers about 11 miles and has a number of scenic overlooks.
Another native aster, the white heath aster is found along the same path where I see the mistflower. I understand it spreads at a fairly fast rate and some people consider it intrusive.
We had a new dahlia bloom show up last week, apparently thinking this was July. After 27 degrees on Thursday morning, the entire plant was brown and I cut it back yesterday for the winter. A beautiful but short life!
I call this spot “on mallard pond”. Mallards are almost always feeding here when I pass by. I wonder if these boys are all interested in the same girl? Possibly not, after all, it isn’t spring!
I believe this guy is king of the pond!
I sometimes take a stick along when walking or hiking in the woods or on trails. I didn’t have one last week while traipsing through the woods near the river, but ran across an area where beavers had been hard at work. I found two walking sticks custom made just for me by the beavers. They had peeled the bark and cut each a nice length. Autographed with authentic teeth marks…I had to bring them home and plan to use them on future hikes!
Another mum that was placed in a large pot with new potting soil has been a source of amazing fall color!
“Singing skies and dancing waters…”
~John Denver
Wishing you a pleasant and peaceful autumn 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,
BEAUTIFUL! I enjoyed all of your pictures & comments! Wishing you & all of your loved ones a very blessed day!
Thanks so much. Happy week to you!
Pam
Little River Falls does look especially beautiful decked out in Fall colors, you’re lucky to live close by so you can visit often. How smart to repot your mums immediately, I bet that does make a big difference in their life span! How nice of the beavers to carve walking sticks for you 🙂 The photo of the one mallard looks like a painting! Enjoy these beautiful Fall days Pam and Butch and have a lovely Sunday!
Thanks so much, Jenna. Butch is so active, he always has a great eye. Happy Sunday!
Pam
O how lovely is thy dwelling place ….. great photos. I garner so much information from your
journeying through nature, Butch. Your area of Alabama is awash with such appealing scenery and activity. Again, “gratia” for another Sabbath of moving verse and contemplation.
A grand week to you, Pam and your dear Family.
Thank you, dearest Mary. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Pam
The opening photographs are gorgeous of the falls. Your mums are beautiful! I have also learned to buy the ones that are not blooming yet. They seem to last longer that way. Wishing you both a most wonderful week ahead!
Thank you, Shannon. Wishing you a beautiful week!
Pam
Amazing pictures! Hugs and blessings.
Thank my friend!
Pam
Little River Falls is a BIG beautiful place! I love it.
As for Mums… I try to always buy the ones that are just about to burst into bloom. And what a good idea about repotting them. Your Mums are a colorful and lovely fall accent.
The new walking sticks are pretty darn cool!
Thank you for the Sunday Stroll!
Thank you, my friend. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
The lone mallad pic is beautiful! The males are so pretty.
The mums are pretty too.I do buy ones with buds especially as far south as I am. There wasn’t a good variety this year in mums. Good idea to repot in a larger pot. I was also told we would not have any foxgloves to plant this fall. Trouble with the growers. I am very disappointed.
Have a great week.
Thank you, Bonnie. I am sorry there are no foxgloves. Yours were so pretty. Happy week to you.
Pam
Another wonderful Sunday stroll with even more beautiful vistas and flowers. Your monarchs have come to Florida and joined our giant swallowtails in my herb garden. Luv God’s creation. What a beautiful day …Blessings to you and PJ.
Kari
I am so glad the monarchs are visiting you! Thank you, Kari!
Pam (PJ)
Whether I read this on a Sunday or Monday — it’s always a joy! Happy week!
Thanks Jeanie!
You always share peace and beauty my friend. I absolutely love your pictures and words. And the quote by John Denver and the verses always hit home! Thank you for sharing the beauty in life. I love you! 💛🍁🍂☀️💛
Hello, my sweet friend. I pray you are having a wonderful Day💛🙏🏻🎶🧡
Pam
Thank you, Pam. I’m keeping pain at bay and specifically am focusing on strength during this break! Communication is difficult with so many drs (and everyone doing things differently)…it’s a whole other layer! But for God! I love you, Pam! May God bless you and your precious family always. Happy Tuesday! 🍂🍁🙏🏻💛
🙏🏻💛🙏🏻 Always praying!
Thank you for sharing the highlights of your October with us, Pam, along with your beautiful photos. I enjoyed your post while sitting here on our deck soaking up one of the last warm days of 2022. Several trees in my viewing radius are already bare or nearly so after lots of breezes. But a few oaks and maples remain leafed and lovely. This stage of fall doesn’t last quite long enough!
Thank you Nancy. Enjoy the last few days of October!
Beautiful pictures Butch and as always, its hard to pick a favorite! The mums are gorgeous and thanks for the tip about them being rootbound. Love that the beavers gifted you some walking sticks – that is funny! The falls are so pretty – especially the picture downstream and I am partial to dragonflies – I just think they are pretty. Lots of beautiful scenery in your neck of the woods. Hope you both have a wonderful week!
Thank you and I hope your week has been filled with beauty!
Pam
Oh, how I wish I could tagalong on your beautiful adventures. Thanks for sharing the beautiful scenery.
Our pleasure and thank you, Cindie!
Pam
We were in the Smokies Sunday and this wouldn’t post for some reason. The foliage was outstanding! Those mum’s are gorgeous! I don’t ever buy mums as they don’t last very long. I’m taking your suggestion and repotting them the next wr purchase some. Yours are really thriving and the color is beautiful. The beavers made 2 really nice walking sticks. The Little River falls are so pretty. Enjoy your day. Clara ❤️
Thanks so much, Clara. I know you enjoyed the Smokies ♥️
I never cease to be amazed at all the many colors on display in autumn! And, I, too, wonder if mums are worth the money. I never can seem to keep them alive, no matter how hard I try. I never thought about them needing to be repotted right away. I learn so much from you! God bless you with a wonderful weekend.
Autumn is bursting out here in our Foothills! Thank you sweet friend!