I find it hard to believe, but a few leaves are showing signs of colour already! It seems early to me, but I guess it's inevitable, nothing like the second week of October, but it's interesting to watch as the process unfolds every year.
First, let me show you the seagulls gathering in the field behind us. Usually they're on the far side of the golf course, but these days they're right out back and Mrs. F.G. got a couple of shots.
This shot shows you how close they are, right behind the house. I think they gather to eat worms, which surface with the heavy dew at this time of year.
This is the single leaf on our White birch out front that reminded me of what's coming.
This big Sugar Maple down near the corner always seems to start turning colour first.
Here's a White Ash not far away that is turning yellow. I'm sure there will be many more to come.
Meanwhile we had bought a small Tulip Tree seedling, about half this size, intending to plant it in the front lawn. Kept in a pot over the summer, it's at least doubled in size and it's time to get it in the ground.
The conversation around where to plant it, keeping in mind the electrical line that crosses the lawn, led to this idea. We're grouping the Tulip out from our White Birch along with some small shrubs to create an 'island'. This is how far we got oh Saturday. Our lawn mower guy is just going to shake his head!
The Red Bud in the corner has grown far too large, far too quickly. We got it just two years ago as a tiny 8" seedling, now it's almost reaching the eavestrough! We had 2 or 3 Red Buds at our last home and they never got half as large in 10 years, though they were in the shade. This is going to take some clever pruning.
And does anyone know this vine? Mrs. F.G. says she knows, because she has it written down somewhere, but she can't find it. It just puzzles me because I've tried to identify it and so far I can't. The shape of the leaves is quite distinct, and as you can see it's finally starting to develop tiny flowers.
I took the first photo of our sugar maple today. I take one about every three days until the leaves fall and then compare dates. It doesn't vary much from year to year.
ReplyDeleteTulip tree! One of my absolute favourites. I hope it flowers soon.
ReplyDeleteAutumn is so beautiful but I have come to dislike what comes after it more each year.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of gulls. Like the colorful chairs and your bright red door.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of trees near my place that are always the first to turn. They've started doing so.
ReplyDeleteI love the ground crew! The raccoons are going after leopard frog in the meadow... busy spot. We drove to Westport and the trees are turning.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I took my first picture of the leaves changing today too! Sorry that I haven't a clue what that vine is but I love the leaf shape. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresing how the seagulls are dotting the yard behind you. Early gulls get the worms!
Coming up Powell Lake yesterday we saw two maples that have already changed colour. Not sure why they are leading the pack. All the rest we saw are still green. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI took a screen shot of your photo with the vine and stuck it into my "PlantSnap" App. It came instantly up as "Spanish Flag (Ipomoea lobata)" and the description and accompanying photo seem to match. Maybe Google it to see if correct. You sure have wonderful shrubs and flowers in your garden.
ReplyDeleteI don't want summer to end, even though it was very hot.
ReplyDeleteA few trees here are beginning to show a little autumn colour, but I think they are either diseased or stressed. I was reading an interesting book recently (The Hidden Life Of Trees by Peter Wohlleben) in which he says that trees should really start their lives in the shadow of larger trees; they grow more slowly but eventually are more healthy.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are early signs of Autumn about the countryside alright. The prettiest time of the year coming up with all the Fall colors soon to be in their majestic glory. As seasons go it's kind of the lull before Winter's storm.
ReplyDeleteI am seeing plenty of signs of fall around here, too. Is it really early? I think it's right on time! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy mowing guy shook his head when he saw my back yard. Yes, it is starting to be fall up there. I like your front yard and all of its plantings. I sold my old place and I am sure they have their tree saws all sharpened up to start removing everything.
ReplyDeleteWe are also seeing tinges in the capital region.
ReplyDeleteThe leaves are beginning to change here, and it dropped to 3C last night. The neighbour's play structure looked to have frost on it this morning but if it did freeze it wasn't a hard frost, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteMy immediate thought at seeing the front yard, was I'm glad I'm not the one that has to mow it. But, it will be absolutely beautiful!
i wonder if the "Picture This" app for your phone would help you identify the vine! my "lawn mower" guy always gets annoyed with us, especially when we fertilize the lawn, i guess it's thicker and harder to cut!!
ReplyDeleteyour home looks beautiful. i went with a black front door instead of red. i often think i made the wrong choice!!
Leaves are slower to change here. The new green of spring is long gone. Tired green remains now.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a tree/shrub island bed at the corner of the house.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what your pretty vine could be. Hopefully someone can tell you ( or Mrs FG finds the label).
Yes, the leaves are beginning to change colour aren't they.
ReplyDeleteSorry I do not know what the vine is, I do hope you will be able to find out.
All the best Jan
love your front door, red is my favourite colour.
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