nature's first green is gold

As Robert Frost once wrote:
"Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour..."

And so it is in Wisconsin, every fall, the trees become shimmering and golden.

But only for a moment, and then it's done.

We just have to enjoy them while we can.

A late summer stroll, and Yoda

Making sure to enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, and the sheer perfection of a late summer day like today. Of course I couldn't just go for a walk... I stroll better with my camera.

Master Yoda, spot him, if you can? 

 sunflowers, reaching toward the light

and this skull planter, of course 

pretty bird feeders, all in a row

ending the walk with some fireworks. 

magical and mysterious

I've been a lazy blogger, I know. Sorry. But I do continue to take photos pretty much every single day. Some days it's just my kittens, growing up way too fast. Many days I'll photograph my flower garden, or the yard, or the birds and butterflies that visit.

Every once in a while I'll take my camera along on my walks around the neighborhood, just to see what treasures I may find...
 

Like this curious and wonderful metallic sculpture. 

And this fairy castle, in a neighbor's garden. 

A peony, poking through a white picket fence, reaching into the sunlight. 

And someone's lilies, in these fabulous colors, that I just might need to plant next!

quiet sunset

Just another night, driving home after dinner with mom, along the lakeshore - my usual route. 

I love driving around the lakes any time of day, but dusk is always the best. 

Looking to the sky, I noticed the colors starting to appear. Sunset... 

No real clouds at all, so it wouldn't be spectacular. You need good clouds for a great sunset. 

But the lake itself provided everything I could have wanted. 

Soft colors in the sky, the Capitol skyline across the water, and reflections on the water. 

nothing gold can stay

The tulip tree, in full bloom... 

This tree and its blooms just make me crazy happy. 

The blossoms only last a few days, sometimes a week. 

And a strong breeze, or a spring rain will bring them all to the ground.  

But for a brief moment, it is glorious. 

"Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay."

-- Robert Frost

the tulip tree

This tree is one of my absolute favorite things about spring in my neighborhood. 

It's at the church, just up the street from my house, 

and every year I just wait and wait for it to bloom. 

The flowers won't last for long, one windy day, or a good rain, and the petals will be scattered. 

But at last, here are the soft fuzzy buds that hold so much promise... 

And yes, it is gloriously in full bloom now, but that is for another day... 

muted sunset

Even when the colors are subtle, a cool clear spring night can give us a great sunset...

(can you spot the Capitol from across the lake?)