Impatiently Waiting for Fall

Many of you have had your glorious fall and are bracing for winter. Here in the south time moves a little slower and I guess that includes autumn. Here are more drive-bys and a quick stop on Hoo Shoo Too Road in rural Baton Rouge. All photos taken Oct 23, 2013.

Along Jones Creek Rd. in Baton Rouge

Another look at the common buckeye - Jones Creek Rd.
I desaturated the green because it seemed distracting and I rather liked how it turned out.

Hoping to see some fall color was a disappointment. By this time last year the trees on Hoo Shoo Too Road were bursting with deep oranges and vibrant yellows. I'm starting to wonder if we're going to see any color at all this year. :/

Anhinga stationed on his regular perch. It does appear there is color here, but the photo
has been cropped and just this small area had some hints of fall; all else is green.

Still green as ever.

Pretty, but I want the beautiful orange colors I know these bald cedars are capable of producing.

A tiny bit of red. Taken from across the lake several hundred yards away, so I had to crop.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday.

Drive-bys

For a few weeks I've noticed a different variety of wild sunflowers growing alongside the roads around town. I don't remember these last year, but then again, 2012 was a blur. Gathering my gear, I hopped in the car, opened the sun roof, and turned on the music. All the while my ugly hair blew in the humid breeze. (Okay, two posts about my hair, so I think I'm going hat shopping soon.) The plants and flowers seem to thrive in the humidity, so maybe my hair is not so important in the big scheme of things. But it sure feels like it!

I think these are pale-leaved sunflowers, but they are not pale, so I don't know...
Update: Perhaps a narrow-leaved sunflower, aka, swamp sunflower (seen at Our Florida Journal's blog). Thanks, Wally!

No idea if this is some type of wild grass or wild flowers.

This morning glory was growing next to a light post with a large cement base.
Contorting my body to get this shot in order to take advantage of the light was well worth a few moments of discomfort.

I have never seen daisy fleabane asters growing so profusely.
Thanks for the correct ID, TexWisGirl!

Spent sunflower.

This common buckeye (Junonia coenia) posed patiently. Thank you, God.

Linking to Our World Tuesday. Thank you to all the wonderful hosts!

Flora and Fauna, Part II

Leftover fall foliage, Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/25/13

Dried grass, Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/23/13

Unknown blooms, Tickfaw State Park, 1/26/13

Glistening pine needles, Tickfaw State Park, 1/26/13

Calliope Hummingbird, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/2/13
I've been waiting to get a clearer shot, but I've not seen him since and may not again. Sigh.

View of eagles' nest from atop the levee. Notice the red barge floating behind the trees. 2/2/13

Northern Cardinal, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/5/13

Wildflowers among the cypress, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, 1/27/13

Wildflowers, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/1/13

American Goldfinch, Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/25/13

Purple Finch (immature or female), Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/25/13

On another note (but still somewhat in the fauna category), I'd like to wish my little Sparky a happy birthday. Ten years ago today he was presented as a lost stray at the emergency vet clinic while I was working there. We immediately locked eyes, then souls, and have been connected ever since. He's about 11 or 12 now and the effects of old age are starting to slow him down. Spark Plug, I love you. You're my sweet little monkey and always will be.

Please visit Madge and her wonderful meme. Thanks for hosting!

Where flowers bloom

Where flowers bloom so does hope. ~Lady Bird Johnson

You'd think it's springtime around these parts. I keep envying the fall foliage I'm seeing posted everywhere, but then I realized after uploading these pics I had taken recently that we have color, too. Maybe not the way I prefer, but color nonetheless. As the song goes, you may not get what you want, but you get what you need.

Our satsumas are finally starting to ripen. Tiny green fruit resembling small limes began showing up in May. I counted almost 20 satsumas hanging from the branches. Finally, after months of waiting, they are ready to eat, and they are delicious!

I am deeply grateful for all the emails and prayers for my son and me. He has been MIA for 2 weeks, so I have filed a missing person's report with the LAPD. That's the very abbreviated version. I will give an update whenever I know more. Blogging, visiting other blogs, and commenting, along with praying, is keeping me sane for the time being.

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