They Do Their Own Things
Human events rage around us, but this time of year plants care about nothing but the shrinking days, the temperature, the wind, the rain, and possibly the last insect visitors moving just a little more pollen around. They’re busy putting forth seeds in expectation that spring will come as it always does, and their next generation will be born.
The brilliant colors of spring and summer are largely gone, but the muted colors have some subtle beauty all the same.
A few, like these flowers, are still in full bloom, possibly evolved to monopolize the last insect pollinators.
Others, like this grass, Joe Pye Weed, and milkweed, have completely gone to seed.
Fall fruit is emerging, possibly to take advantage of migrating birds who will spread the seeds as they cover a lot of ground.
And other flowers are in a halfway state, with some flowers stubbornly hanging on while others on the same plant have completed their transition to seed.
Wonderful photos!
Our leaves are turning or have fallen but we still have roses and dahlias. Weird fall this year. We had 60mph gusts on Friday but somehow most of the leaves stayed on the trees yet some trees blew down.
We’ve had no rain for a couple of weeks and I think everything is taking it as a signal to let flowers bolt and leaves drop.
We have the small white asters blooming – the bees are all over those. Also, a few skippers.