The beauty of autumn is too tempting for my shutter to resist. The blends of reds, rusts, golds and browns remind me of the ochre shades of the village of Roussillon that I love to visit and photograph.
The colours, patterns and textures of the pumpkins, squashes and gourds are magnets to my eye. They are cucurbits. Who knew? And sometimes they ride like this through small towns.
But I’m not in France right now and spending the autumn months in and around Toronto was a pleasure this year. The colours were among the best I’ve seen in a while.
By chance I happened to visit The Artful Garden just outside Bracebridge, ON, on a lovely fall day a few weeks ago. Not only is this a magical setting of inspired plantings, it is also the pottery studio of the talented and visionary property owners, Jon and Suzann Partridge.
The images all around us were irresistible and Suzann was gracious in allowing me to indulge my photo fetish.
You know photo challenge sites are favourites of mine and Ailsa’s travel theme of “Autumn” this week is the perfect opportunity to share a few of these images. Enjoy … and if you are visiting Muskoka, drop by this welcoming property. It’s an easy 3-hour drive north of Toronto.
Stroll … erm … scroll with me now.
When you have some time, visit Where’s My Backpack to see other photographers’ expressions of autumn. How do you feel about this season?
Gorgeous Autumnal shots. And who couldn’t love this season, this year especially? The colours are wonderful, and the weather so mild and agreable.
Has in been a lovely autumn in your neighbourhood too, Margaret? The best time for hiking!
I must say I don’t have any favorite season. They each and all have something special in this part of the world so new to us. We have been in the Bay area for only one year and a half, and love everything – but no season matters as long as we are finally close to our daughters, in our “mature” years…
I do appreciate the photos Patricia always posts, and also the colors of the different seasons. I must sky the sky here is awesome too, with colors I had never seen before.
And I still have a couple of huge boxes with photos that need to be sorted… but who can do it? Not me, for sure, as I am not well at all, and neither is my husband. Our daughters work hard, and cannot do it, so what can I do? I know there are many somewhere of our trips in the canals de Midi (https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=canal+de+midi) and Bourgogne (https://www.google.com)
/?gws_rd=ssl#q=canal%20de%20Bourgogne in our rented penichettes from this particular site: http://www.locaboat.com/en/our-boats-and-penichettes.html
Oh, how I miss traveling…………….. But thanks to Patricia an others we still do, through their words and pictures!
I meant “I must SAY the sky…”
Dear Martha, I know you have many treasured memories of your years of traveling the world. I am going to look up the sites you shared with us and I hope one day all of your photos are together for you to watch and enjoy.
Thanks so much for your kind words, dear Patricia! It may be already too late for having my photos together. I don’t have the strength nor the energy to even get started, and there is nobody else around who could help. I’ll continue enjoying yours!
And the canal de Bourgogne’s site is
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=canal%20de%20Bourgogne
Sorry! I should not be doing this when my hands are so weak…….
Sigh. Heavy sigh.
I so miss the Northeast — especially during this time of year. In Texas, most tree leaves turn brown and then ker-plunk. No. #SOWRONG!
Besides, were I still in Pennsylvania (where I belong) the drive to The Artful Garden would be easy-peasy for this road warrior. I wonder if they’re looking for a maid, a cook, a cleaning service. I’d even do windows to spend time at that slice of paradise.
Beautiful pictures!
Oh … and you should see the henhouse! I’ll post some pics of that later. I have a “thang” about chickens … had 6 Road Island Reds when I lived in the country for 15 years and supplied half the county (slight exaggeration …)with fresh eggs every week. Those girls produced! I let them free-range and they followed me all over the place when I was outside gardening. Odd? Perhaps … but I loved them!
These are such great shots, really capturing the essence and feel of the Fall season. Beautiful rich vibrant Fall colors
Thanks, Debby. Autumn holds the most painful memories of my life and yet there is something soothing and irresistible about Nature’s palette at this time of year. It’s all so bittersweet … but somehow committing myself to the image I capture through my lens has a comforting effect. I’m sure you “get” this.
I can never really commit to a favorite season as we have so few in California. I do prefer our winters to that of someone living in let’s say, Chicago or upstate New York. As for summers… who wants to be in DC in July when there is San Francisco? But as for fall colors, hard to beat them.
True enough, Brenda. There are definite benefits to living in certain parts of the world when weather conditions turn nasty. As I said to Kitt, I seem to be fickle about seasons … enjoying them at times and not missing them at others. I guess that’s part of the life of a vagabond!
Fall being my favorite season, I am doing great! Your photos are gorgeous, Patricia. I loved fall in France but I’ve been lucky to be in Maine this fall and few places beat the beauty of this state during fall season. To all: enjoy the season!
Oh my Gosh, Patricia! Those photos are amazing! What a beautiful place to call home, even if it’s not France. I’m jealous.
Happy autumn.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Fall and Spring are the only things I miss about living in Florida. Love the gorgeous autumnal photos.
I find seasons to be a funny thing, Kitt. I guess because I move around so much, I enjoy them when I’m in them, but I don’t miss them if I’m not. Hmmm – I’m not sure that sentence really makes sense, but I think you will get my drift. I’m back in FL now and appreciating the palm trees and balmy temps! Does that make me fickle? Will this be the year for a latte with you? Hope lives!
Those trees are gorgeous!!! And I love all of the pictures of the pumpkins. This was a real treat. Thanks, Patricia!
Thanks, Chyrs! I love those cucurbits (my new favourite word!) too. 🙂
Love autumn but it also means the beginning of fall cleanup and preparation for winter. I’ve especially loved the gardens this year, I always do. Your photographs are scrumptious. I can almost feel a warm pumpkin muffin coming apart during my afternoon coffee break.
Mmmm ~ now that you mention warm pumpkin muffins I’m feeling a bit peckish! Good idea. Thanks for stopping by, Sheri. I’m popping over to your blog to see how things are going. I hope well!
Allia and I went to the Fete de la Courge in October in Rians, a village near Jouques, about 40 minutes from Aix en Provence. It was fabulous, so many pumpkins, so much talent and so many recipes, we only had a couple of hours, but one could easily spend the day there! Along with many decorative pumpkins I came home with the annual recipe book and am astounded at the number of things they make with pumpkin and the number of varieties. 🙂