Penny for the - What?

A mystery spotted outside the library.

Now in my day, back in Britain, my first thought would have been "Penny for the Guy". For the benefit of my American friends, British kids used to - maybe still - stuff dummies representing Guy Fawkes and exhibit them to get money for fireworks and then they's be burnt on a bonfire on 5th November.  But what they're doing in America beats me. Probably something to do with Halloween. Could it possibly be that, for once, a British Guy Fawkes custom has invaded American Halloween and not the other way around? There's always hope.

Autumn Glory

Quick before it rains again - have a look at our autumn colours. The western New York autumn started slowly and late, after a heatwave but by the weekend it was developing very promisingly.

This was early in the morning when it was still foggy.

And here a nice flash of red maple.

Even the mundane and ubiquitous sumac makes a pretty pattern.

Fog again, wisping over the valleys.

And coyly veiling the colours until the sun comes out.

Later in the day, I came across this maple in the car park at the CVS pharmacy in town.

And this one was up our lane.

Here's another angle.

And here's the first scene a few hours later. You have to imagine the sounds of the geese gathering on the lake, honking away and occasionally taking off and wheeling overhead.

A tantalising flash of red on a hillside.

And more shots of nature's tapestry.

I can't think which of these I like best.

And there are so many hills to choose from.

All colouring up at different speeds.

Another typical autumn scene around here - the dried up cornfield with the hills behind. I take this road every day. It's easy to get blase. Of course the deer like to lurk in the corn to do their kamikaze thing. Sadly this is prime deer-hitting season. I can't understand why creatures that are so intelligent when it comes to foraging for delicacies in my garden are so stupid when it comes to roads.

Meanwhile back in the jungle.

Our maple tree only manages a few flashes of red.

Though the carpet on the ground is gorgeous.

Autumn in the Jungle

After my absence for a while, things are, how shall I say it, a little overgrown.

But that's not a bad thing in autumn when the unkempt look works with all the fallen leaves that seem to get into everything. There was, apparently quite a heatwave while we were away - just as I predicted. An iffy summer and as soon as we leave, summer comes with a vengeance. Wouldn't you know. But some of the geraniums are still holding their own.

And there's one last remaining daisy putting on a brave show.

 It must have been a little damp though

To produce a couple of largish mushrooms - a meal for someone, evidently.

And the bird bath from above is quite artistic.

Sadly, for the two most interesting sights, I didn't have my phone to hand, let alone the camera. A handsome red fox came exploring the last remaining tomatoes. Unlike London, they are pretty rare around here and this was a gorgeous, burnished gold, bushy-tailed specimen, fitting in perfectly with the autumn colours. Well if they eat grapes, according to Aesop, I suppose they might like tomatoes. I fear for the chipmunk family though - I haven't seen any of them since we got back.  I hope that's just a coincidence. And today a cheeky raccoon appeared to case the joint. He sat up on the grass by the flower bed sniffing the air and then lumbered off, fat and well-fed. We only turn our backs for a minute and it's a safari park here.

This Little Piggy

I swung by the farmers' market this morning and got a huge haul of courgettes (zucchini as my neighbours say), beans, extra-sweet tomatoes, carrots, miniature pumpkin pie and not one but two of the world-beating butterleaf lettuces. I have to make the most of it - only a few more Saturdays to go.  And I had to hurry to get back for United vs Palace.  But the star of the show

was Pop Tart, 2 weeks, held by proud dad John Policastro of  Flanigan Farm which will be  familiar  to  blog readers.  Sadly, she lost her mother, Poppy and her siblings and is being hand-reared on milk mixture before going on to solids. I'd never stroked a piglet before and Pop Tart's ginger mop was deliciously soft. Best of all were the tiny pink trotters (see below).

Best of luck little one -we're rooting for you!  

Up the Lane: Aster Times

Dateline:Cattaraugus County

The blog has returned from some lengthy travels and was surprised to find how hot it is here. Friends inform me that they're finally getting the summer they were cheated out of earlier in the year. I took a walk to reacquaint myself with the lane and found the asters out in force.

You've got to applaud those asters.

The ones in our garden manage to dodge being weeded and then pop up merrily fringing the trees and blending beautifully with the mass of yellow black or brown-eyed Susans, as if saying, "Told you to give as a chance!"
  The weather yesterday morning could be described as "warm fog."

The leaf colours aren't really out yet

Except for the odd sumac but the forests and roadsides still have the "tapestry look".

More of those cheeky asters in the hedgerows.

 And it was so noisy - woodpeckers hammering, bluejays shrieking, drips dripping, acorns plopping, insects chirping and the patter of cloven hooves on the tarmac. (Look carefully)

Our motion detector light went on this morning - probably one of the above casing the joint for suitable winter meals.  Actually, just after I took this pic, a car came down the road. He didn't know how lucky he was. 
Their static friend has new headgear

  Presumably in praise of  "soccer" .   Or perhaps an American football just doesn't balance so well. Meanwhile the trees make pretty patterns.

And still look very green.

 Though I fear not for long.

 Next up: surprises in the garden. Watch this space.

A Long Way From London

Sunday afternoon at Buffalo lakefront and the tourists are queuing up for their trip on Miss Buffalo.

Having decided it was a bit too windy for our little Titanic 2, we went to check out the much-lauded new nature reserve areas.

I wonder why all this "be safe" business is so beloved iof Americans. It seems to me a touch pessimistic. At the beginning of the summer hols our local high school posts a sign saying not, "Enjoy Yourselves" or "See You in September" but, "Have a Safe Vacation". What do they think might happen?
Anyway, here's a map of what you can see at the nature reserve. I think this may be an example of  "interpretive signage."

Well there's some grass.

And some pretty flowers.

A path.

A no doubt lots of interesting birds. But it all pales into insignificance next to the most exotic sight I've seen in Buffalo.

Wow! How about that! As hubby would say. It made me feel homesick for London

Very Vermont

On a fleeting visit to Burlington, Vermont, the Green Mountain State, we sauntered to the marina, which is on Lake Champlain.. Just like in Buffalo, there was more to add to my weird boat name collection.

A pretty sight against the blue sky.

Here's another one.

A lovely-looking little ship too.

Burlington has a railway line, still used a bit and a grand old stone station.

Now how's this for a view from your back garden? Just about perfect!

And they grow their own hops too..

Church Street Marketplace is Burlington's historic Shopping Central. 

But the lake is nicest of all.

With scenic coves and mountains in the distance.

And more ridiculously sublime views. I'm told Lake Champlain has a monster called Champ, who pre-dates Nessie. Can you spot him? I thought not but we did spot a couple of dogs gambolling in the water wearing designer lifejackets as a precaution.

And talking about sublime. Guess what we saw at the airport?

Yes, a proper little yoga studio, complete with mats and a meaningful pile of pebbles for you to cuddle, or whatever you do with them. I suppose it's meant for nervous flyers.

As you can see, it had glass walls. Personally I would have to be extremely nervous before tying myself into lycra-clad knots in full view of passing fellow-passengers. But someone must use it.