I’m still here. End of July, beginning of August is simply a blur to me now. My husband and I did manage to take a much too short getaway to Omaha for our wedding Anniversary at the end of August. We did nothing for Labor Day (which was nice).

And last week, I managed a walk at the local nature center. So to show I’m still here….a few phone photos of the butterflies I spotted.

This last one is not the best photo but this poor butterfly was just trying to hang on (or take off) in a pretty good wind. I could relate.

Actually, just a video. I hope it works. Enjoy the nature break, this is from near the Buffalo River National River in Arkansas.  Turn your sound up. Click on the link below:

20240409_074124.mp4

Here’s one photo (more to come, of course) in case the video doesn’t work for you.

I went on a walk at the nature center trails yesterday. It was a bit cold but very relaxing. My legs are a big achy today as wearing my boots for the first time and then hiking two trails, maybe not the best idea. The seasons of fall and winter appeared to merge all around me.

Twenty-two days until winter begins according to the Farmer’s almanac.

While I didn’t see many people on my walk (at least not on the unpaved trails), I wasn’t alone in the forest.

I also heard a couple crows dutifully chasing away a hawk and sadly almost stumbled over a frozen dead squirrel. And saw signs other people had indeed braved the paths.

Someone took the time to stick all these hedge apples on the thorns of a honey locust tree:

Water had a slight sheen of ice in places.

Usually I walk right to the edge of the point that overlooks the lakes but not yesterday, falling into cold water was not on my agenda.

You can see the water just fine from the paved path. Geese and mallard ducks as well. Had a brief conversation with one of the park workers who said last week they had migrating ducks there, he couldn’t remember the kind…redhead and blue beaks or maybe it was the other way around. Sorry I missed them.

Not sure why but my photos are no longer loading in the order I take them. So I’ll just end this post with a few random photos from yesterday.

Which season is your favorite?

Today is J’s birthday and I’ve been running most the morning, getting things ready for dinner. He picked pepper steak of all things for his birthday dinner. Well, at least, it’s easy and saving us on a hefty dinner out bill somewhere. J does prefer to eat at home over going out so it is what he wants. And pepper steak is crazy easy.

And of course, I also made a chocolate cake as well. Almost time to add the white frosting. Ran down here…and, look a squirrel!

Oh yeah, I was grabbing some wrapping paper and decided to take a minute for a very quick post. The birthday boy is sleeping in this morning (early afternoon). Not too many photos of my walk. Had an issue with the camera so wandered into the woods with only my cell phone. 

We’re enjoying some beautiful warm weather this week. It’s been really warm in the afternoons, right now at not quite 12:30, it’s already 69 degrees.

Once I finished my walk and returned home, I calmed down enough to figure out the issue with the camera.

Whew! Still have a minor issue that needs attention but it’s once again useable. Now, what, was I doing down here again?

The leaves are really starting to fall from the trees now.

I wonder how many more days until the trees are bare on my morning (or afternoon) walks.

The unpaved path yesterday was completely covered with leaves. I had to be careful not to trip as there are quite a few tree roots I could no longer see.

They are starting to cover the paved path as well though the wind clears it a bit better. Big leaves, as well.

Each time I go out on my walks I usually take some photos of leaves that catch my eye. So, I thought I’d just share a few (probably too many) in this post. 

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. (Albert Camus)

I almost thought these little green leaves were fake the way they stood out against all the brown.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this post of a little leaf love.

A few photos from yesterday morning’s walk on the trail at the nature center. J didn’t have classes but I decided to go and walk anyway, I enjoy it so much. It was chilly yesterday morning as well!

The nature center puts on a Halloween event the last two weekends in October each year. A not so scary forest with a fairy tale theme along the paved trail, aimed at younger children. The trails are still open during the day. These pumpkins were there to cheer on the start of my walk:

I was in the mood to get off of the concrete and ventured onto the unpaved trail.

Still lots of green leaves but…

The color is slowly arriving.

The lookout:

I found it on my own this time though I did have to let the phone camera take this one. (Not sure how to make it pretty with the “real” camera.)

Need a minute?

Hungry? Walnuts!

I’ll pass, aside from these being green and way too high on the tree, I have proper Halloween candy around here.  Time to go back to the car.

Look it’s a finch hiding out.

And we’re back toward the parking lot. This tree near one of the buildings is showing off some beautiful fall color.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. No time to walk today, back to laundry and “taxi” service for J as he’s not quite comfortable enough yet for the 30 minute drive to today’s class. I don’t mind though, it’s a beautiful fall day, not quite 70 degrees, and I have a great book to sit and read while I wait for him. (Current book: Rewind by Catherine Ryan Howard, she’s fast becoming one of my favorite authors with her twisty thrillers)

Seeing any fall colors? Book recommendations for me? How’s your Wednesday going?

Probably should have posted this yesterday. Tuesday I found myself by one of my favorite parks. Wrong shoes. Wrong time of day. No camera besides the phone. However, I went for a very quick walk anyway. Pretty short walk because I also had no water and it was a bit hot.

Thought I’d share the few phone photos I took before I leave for work.

Happy Thursday!