The Beauty of Autumn in Portland
My friend Lise texted this morning to ask if I was up for a walk. It wasn’t pouring rain, (a rarity this week) so I grabbed my coat and met her in front of the house.
I hadn’t planned on a “nature walk,” but nature had other plans. Look at how the yellow, purple, green and white leaves complement one another. How could I not take a moment to pull out my camera?!
Pure yellow ginko leaves are never not stunning. I once read that ginkos lose their leaves all at once within a matter of hours, but there were leaves both on the tree as well as the ground.
I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated the absolute consistency of color within a ginko leaf before.
These magnificent reds, oranges and yellow maple leaves are extra dramatic when up against this green plant.
The flowers on this harlequin glorybower tree look like they were drawn by a second grader. So cute!
Of course Japanese weeping maple trees are always going to be scene stealers with their deeply pigmented burgundy leaves.
The leaves off this white oak tree rely on shape not color for attention. There aren’t many oak trees in my neighborhood, which makes them extra special.
This standard Japanese maple tree also peaks in autumn with its cherry red leaves. Absolute perfection.
No autumnal leaf post would be complete without a current documentation of my back yard, blanketed in yellowy/brown leaves that’ll soon turn to slime. I’ll ignore them over winter, as I’ve been shamed in the past for not leaving them in place for native insects and wildlife.
Lastly I’ll share this misty photo, which I took a few days ago while running an errand. (Don’t worry, I was the passenger!) It’s an accurate reflection of what we Oregonians take for granted and occasionally even remember to appreciate.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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Absolutely gorgeous!
Gingkos are my very favorite! When there’s a whole stand of them, all bright yellow, the branches speared out in all directions — stunning!
Gray skies and rain here today, and the leaves are hanging onto a lot of green because we had so much moisture this summer.
I took a walk to Walgreens this morning. I had a coupon for Always Discreet — hardly made a dent in the price; they have become so expensive. But at least I’m stocked up.
Using up perishables, I made blackberry coconut bread pudding and a pasta skillet with spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella. Enough for tomorrow of each dish.
What a great walk! Thank you for inviting us along.
I had to look up the harlequin glorybower tree, also called a peanut butter tree (!).
Thank you for this beautiful post! It’s so amazing seeing all those autumnal colors from Oregon.