Before I retired and moved to French Broad Hollow, when people complained about the weather, I would respond. “At least it’s not 40° and raining.” Well, today it’s 38° and raining, and it looks like the weather won’t change much for the rest of the day. It started raining about sunrise, and we’d already gotten over .5″ before noon. I sometimes walk in the rain, but I’m taking a day off today. 🙂
We’ve had some other rainy days since my last post—and we had our first hard freeze; it was in the low 20s when I got up Sunday morning. Until then, the marigolds were still blooming and being visited by butterflies (including Monarchs and this checkerspot that rested on the laundry basket), but I think their cheery blossoms are gone for the year. At least I have the violas on the deck to add some color.
Nature’s fall colors peaked in the Hollow about a week ago, then—seemingly overnight—the roads and trails were covered in fallen leaves that quickly turned brown.
The American beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) is one of my favorites, and they are plentiful near my house. Their colors remain vivid longer than most of the other trees. Even after the leaves are brown, they cling to the tree until spring. Here is an interesting link to a post by Sharon Mammoser about beech trees. I love the hickory trees along my driveway, too.
I doubt I’ll be posting many more photos of tree foliage any time soon, but expect more of deer and turkeys! More of this year’s fawns show up to eat, and now I often find turkeys AND deer waiting for me to head down to feed. Here is a video of them showing me the way and another of feeding time. (You can hear the turkeys pecking the corn in the pans.)
They’re not visible yet today in this rain, but I have no doubt some will show up when I head down to feed, as I will before long, regardless of the weather!
French Broad Hollow Ramble 