We are now a week past the autumnal equinox (20 March in NZ)
and autumn has most definitely arrived.
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| Late autumn splendour on the farm |
The nights are much cooler and some places further south
have even had light frosts. The days are
no longer swelteringly hot, but pleasantly warm. The mellow warmth of autumn is what makes
this one of my favourite seasons.
Hamilton city has a very temperate climate so we do not get
as much autumn colour as places further south do.
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| A lone spot of autumn colour |
Birds are now more in evidence again. Their summer moult is finished, they have no
nestlings to care for, now is a time to fatten up before winter cold arrives.
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| Can you see the thrush who had been eating these berries? |
The garden is returning to life after struggling with
drought conditions for the last few months.
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| An autumnal display on Napier's Marine Parade |
Autumn harvest is also beginning.
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| Crab apples ready for picking |
When we lived in the country I loved the misty atmosphere of
autumn mornings.
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| Early morning, south of Te Awamutu |
Autumn is also the time for cleaning up things before winter,
the time for autumn fires in the garden and out on the land.
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| Clearing tree rubbish on the farm |
I am trying to learn to appreciate each season as it
happens, instead of my usual complaining about it being too hot or too
cold. This morning we had some rain to
water the earth and I am doing my best to look for beauty and be thankful. The cloud is breaking up now and the sun is
peeping through – and I am finding it much easier to be thankful!
Enjoy every day as it unfolds,
Margaret.
LINKED TO Skywatch Friday
Margaret, these are amazing views of Autumn. I have only experienced Autumn once in Taipei but the leaves don't change color there. Someday I would really love to see trees of red of gold of orange and or yellow just like you showed to us all. And those apples remind me of 'Gala Apples' as it's called here. Those are one of the two NZ fruits that are famous here, aside from Kiwis :)
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and God bless you! Happy Friday!
Stevenson
Cavite Daily Photo
Stevenson Que Blog
Autumn is a lovely season. The apples I show are called crab apples - they are very small, about the size of a small plum or even smaller. They are also incredibly sour but can be used to make a really nice tart jelly. Stay safe :) xx
DeleteSome seasons are easier to appreciate than others. Autumn is my favourite. Too bad it's followed by Winter.
ReplyDeleteI did see the thrush in the shrubs ( after I enlarged the photo).
Those Crab apples look lovely. My Mom used to can Crab apples in a slightly spicy syrup.
Stay well, GM
The thrush is so well camouflaged, isn't it? Yes, it is a pity autumn is followed by winter! I must make special effort to enjoy winter this time round LOL. We usually use crab apples to make a tart jelly, but what your mom made sounds good. Keep well, Mxx
DeleteI particularly love that top photo.
ReplyDeleteLife is so much nicer when the sun is shining,but you're not suffering because of it! We have winter again, days of rain and wind. Good for the garden though. When the sun shines again I'll do some gardening
ReplyDeleteIt looks real pastoral. Beautiful views.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful pics.
ReplyDeleteStay safe.
It's a perfect time of year, so many harvest, the colours everywhere. We are heading towards summer, it's going to be very different this year.
ReplyDeleteEach season has its charm - and at times its challenges I suppose - but I am quite sure that as we get older we appreciate them more. It is perhaps in recognition that we have so many fewer left to savour.
ReplyDeleteNow you are making me feel old, as I fear you may be right! :))
DeleteLight frosts in Autumn? Eeek.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the trees just turn yellow, "boring"! But the garden sure is beautiful, as is fog. At times on my drive to work I stopped and took pics of it.
Great advise to enjoy every day! Ixx
I like Fall, the colors are so beautiful! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of your beautiful countryside. Thanks for a little break from otherwise depressing news. Have a healthy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI arrived at the photo of Napier and, without reading thought how like Napier parts of Hamilton are. Then I realised it really was Napier. So you've obviously been down for a tiki tour at some time. Makes me quite nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteThere is always something to enable you to play The Glad Game.
When we lived in our caravan we actually spent four months living in Napier and Hastings. Really great place to be. I'd like to go back for a holiday again at some stage.
DeleteI love the first photo! Autumn at its best.
ReplyDeleteOh, I so love that first photo and the one next to last. You seldom hear me complain about autumn. Except I want it to be slow and long! I get frustrated with myself because I am always wishing for different weather. The one that really gets to me is days on end of dark, cloudy days.
ReplyDeleteDreary weather like that drags me down as well. I must try and find something nice in it this winter :)
DeleteI am just loving the cooler temperatures, it's much easier to sleep at night.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Amy. I even have a blanket on the bed now :)
DeleteYour surroundings are lovely. I visited cousins in Auckland a few years ago, and toured the North Island up as far as Cape Reinga.... so gorgeous! I would love to visit again, but.... well, I think it will be a while before we will all be able to do any visiting! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteIt might be quite a while before any of us can travel again. Keep well :)
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