Colors of Autumn

This morning's temperature was in the low 60s and a cool breeze was blowing, a pleasant surprise from the past few weeks. We turned the air conditioner off and opened the door. Autumn is in the air—and in the landscape.

Around here, the colors of autumn are purple and gold. Last week, I took these pictures down the road at the farm:

The ironweed blooms near Dinner Creek.

Pokeberries are starting to turn purple.

See the butterfly on the Joe-Pye weed?

See a different butterfly?

Jewel weed and Joe Pye grow together on the creek bank.

Meanwhile, autumn shows its colors in my own backyard. I took these pictures yesterday:

Mums the word in the flower bed.

Ditto.

Leaves on the pin oak are turning brown.

 I've never seen so many pods on the redbud before.

  Across the road, the corn is stunted but starting to dry.

A few flowers still keep their summer color, like these marigolds.

But soon the colors will be shades of brown.

Autumn is coming. The signs are here.
~