Serviceberry Trees in Autumn

Ottawa is using more native species of trees in the parks,

 because they are better suited to the climate than a lot of imports.

 This is a serviceberry, although I have never seen any berries on them.

 

Autumn Leaves

The leaves are beginning to change colours,

 and to fall.

 But the days are sunny, and warm, in the afternoons.

 

Unknown Flower

A tiny yellow flower was growing on the bank of the Ottawa River.

 

Feather

This feather was caught amongst the seeds, 

 and I photographed it over the course of several days.

 

Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye weed is one of the few wild plants I can think of that comes in more than one colour -

 my plant book says only the pink, but there is a lot of white around here, too.

 

Burdock

Burdock is another pesky weed which is altogether too common around here.

 After the blossoms have finished, I am going to have to take the clippers out and cut down all the bushes in the areas where we usually walk, in self preservation.

 Otherwise, Annie will bring home all the burrs, a few dozen at a time, the whole winter.

 

Bindweed and Queen Anne's Lace

Bindweed is a relative of the morning glory,

 but grows in the fields and fouls the machines.

 I love the shadows the Queen Anne's lace casts on the bindweed.

Bindweed

I had to stop and admire the bindweed again,

 and I managed to capture a bee, hard at work.

 

Black Eyed Susans

The black eyed susans are more numerous this week.

It is so hard to narrow down my choices to only a few,

when there are so many photos!

 

Wild Grapes in the Morning Sun

The wild grapes may be forming

 but the vines are still

 reaching for the sky.

 

Peony Seed Pods

I split open one of the seed pods of a species peony, and I was surprised what I found inside!

 

Today's Flowers

I posted photos of the false lupines when they were blooming, and someone asked what is the difference between them and true lupines. Well, the false lupines take longer to set seed, and the pods are longer, thinner, and vertical.

 True lupine seed pods are horizontal, shorter, and fatter.

 Here you can see both sorts.

For more photos of flowers from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Chicory

The first chicory flower of the summer!

 

False Lupine

The true lupines at the college are not blooming yet,

 but the false ones are.

 

Aloe

I have never seen an aloe plant like this one.

 The simple size of it is amazing,

 and the way the leaves curl.