PUMPKIN FLOWERS

PUMPKIN FLOWER BLOSSOMS,

growing, unfurling their petals late Summer

... and a little spider, trying to get away from my camera

squeezing through the narrow gorge,

to the safety beneath the broad leaves.

 Imagine- tiny corkscrews,,,   PRETTY!
First the bud opening up, then it's almost open, with tendrils curling all around.

Fall bounty - chestnuts

Some Autumn bounty from our area.

A colorful rustic birdhouse with an apple and a pear, from 2 trees nearby.

A version of this photo is available at:

http://christina-verdgeline.artistwebsites.com/art/all/natural+with+man-made/all

This is what CHESTNUTS look like, freshly picked after they fell to the ground in their protective cupule.

Beware! 

Those outer burrs are so spiney & prickly.

interesting note: Chestnuts are a typical delight in Croatia, where they are sold , roasted, by street vendors. There's also a delicious whipped-cream dessert I wish was available here in the States.

(Yes, there is a pear hiding in this basket.)

Early Fall Colored Leaves

This past Labor Day weekend, and early Sept, I saw the first hints of color in our area. We are near the Poconos in NE PA, and people from other states/areas come here to see the Fall Leaves changing color.
Here are a few early views, all within approximately 1/2 hour drive of my mountain.

 Below is a pond with an early fallen leave floating among the drops of rain falling from an overhanging branch just after a late-afternoon thunderstorm.

 Below is a sunny view at Nesbitt Park, across the river from Wilkes-Barre, on the west side.

Here's a link that gives more information about PA and Fall foliage. http://www.visitpa.com/season/fall

 Mountains and late-Summer flowers, approximately 1/2 hour away. 

I visitt this way often and love the sunsets from this viewpoint as well. AHHHHH!