Ornamental maple trees are turning on their autumn razzle-dazzle all over the Pacific Northwest, as we greet October with a few days of welcome rain.

The little bright crab-apples (below) caught my eye and made my mouth water. My grandmother made crab-apple butter that was a blue ribbon winner at the county fair, and her pickled crab-apples were a special treat at our Thanksgiving table when I was a young girl.

The stand of holly in my back yard is a favorite place for birds to rest, nest and shelter. Holly berries start out lime green and begin turning yellow this time of year. The color shift continues shading to orange, carnelian and by December, the bright red of Christmas wreaths.

In spring this Wild Rose is smothered in pink flowers and alive with pollinators. Now it drapes a mantle of golden foliage over its old host fence.

While walking in a different neighborhood today, I was curious just what this tree was. I associated the big seed pods with Locust, which led me to identify it on line. Though not native to North America, Mimosa or Persian Silk Tree is very happy in our PNW climate.

Wishing everyone safe travels. Please be kind and stay safe.🐾
Last week I wasn’t able to post to Leya’s challenge of artificial light, the first one of the Lens-Artists Challenges I’ve missed! Sometimes life intervenes with our best laid plans and intentions, so I’m happy to be back participating this week. Thank you Amy for this timely theme!
Wonderful selections, Lindy. I love the maple tree, looks glorious. The bright crab-apples are so cheerful. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you Amy. If there are any crab-apples left when I’m out at the beach next week, I’m going to harvest some!
Great selection of photos. I love how the Wild Rose hanging on the fence. It looks like a Japanese maple tree.
I hadn’t thought of it that way until you pointed it out. It really does resemble a well tended Japanese maple!
I’ve seen Japanese maple everywhere in my daughter’s neighborhood.
Always enjoy your responses Lindy – welcome back to the challenge. Beautiful choices as always.That Mimosa tree is gorgeous isn’t it?!
Oh yes, I had never seen one in bloom like this!
PS. Would you please send me an email at trschell@me.com? I’d like to send you an email. Thanks
Tina