More on Autumn

Welcome to another sunny fall weekend. I don't know about your winter routine, but the heat doesn't go on until November at my place and we sure needed it Friday night - it was cold (35 degrees)! I waited until 12:30pm to hit the trail Saturday (about 65 degrees, maybe less out of the sun). Conditions were extra windy with clouds scudding across the sky, letting the sun peak out then disappear periodically.
Beautiful blumes of color had appeared in Washington Valley Park, near the Gilbride Road trail head.

I happily took many photos of the changing leaves.

The forest was noisy and alive with the sound of wind through the branches and the new layer of dry leaves crunching underfoot.

Despite the wind and cold, a solitary Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) appeared mysteriously on a floating log. As I approaching to get a closer shot, it deftly returned to the water without a sound.

There is no time quite like fall. Every season painted a new season in yellow, orange and greens.

Every surface shows off the bright colors.

Entire trees show their fall colors.

Drawing circles on the water by throwing a rock into the creek.

I enjoy the splashing sound a few small rocks make disappearing into the water.

If you can make it out to enjoy the fall or enjoy Washington Valley especially, I highly recommend this park over the next few weeks.

On Sunday I took a brief bike ride down the Delaware-Raritan Canal. The sun had warmed the air by 11am to near 70 degrees.

The sunshine through the leaves was beautiful.

I encountered several fish and the two large Painted Turtles along the way. Next week I have designs on visiting Ithaca, NY where I lived for four years (several years ago now).