Leaves from red Japanese maple

We returned from a three-week trip to Turkey (more about that in another post) last weekend to find that Fall had made a thorough visit to the property in our absence.  Most of the leaves have fallen so we’ve missed a lot of the color.  There was a sea of leaves in the yard since no one was mowing in the interim.  We’ve had some of those kick the leaves days with with sunny dry weather and the crunch, crunch sound as you walk about the yard and forest.

Sea of leaves

Ironically many of the flowers are still putting out some color as the temperatures have just gone slightly under freezing.  The Pineapple Sage is making a nice case for replanting in the herb garden.

Pineapple Sage after first freeze

The big pumpkin that volunteered in back of the garage almost finished coloring up before frost killed off the plant.  As it is the pumpkin is still worthy of moving to the porch for some Indian Summer display.

Last pumpkin from volunteer plant

Walking through the woods I was struck by how the beech trees really strut their stuff at this time of year.  Only the oaks and the beech trees really have substantial leaves left and they really stand out in the woods.

Beech tree in Fall

Beech leaves

I was also pleased see when I returned that my “abundant harvest” submission for the Gardens Gone Wild Picture This October photo contest had won first runner up.  This is an enjoyable photo contest which always provokes interesting entries from a wide variety of garden blogs.