Speaking Of Leaves....

  Yesterday while photographing the yellow butterfly amongst the possum grape leaves, it was easy to notice that at least those leaves bore a slight resemblance to something like autumn.  Or, perhaps, it was just wishful thinking.  Today, however, there was no mistaking the distinct fall-like colors in the black gum leaves that came fluttering to the ground.  A easy breeze came in off the Bay and showered me with red and yellow leaves from the tall trees.  The garden was littered with these bright bits of encouragement that the seasons would soon be changing. I am so ready.

  Autumn is my favorite time of year...or maybe it is winter.  It is a hard choice between the two.  With autumn comes the usual holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving but my mind is on our annual clue hunt. This takes up the entire month of October so things are already in full swing.  Preparations have to be made and, as usual, time is running short!  The feeling of angst that things will not be finished on time is always plaguing me so as soon as the day's chores are completed, the rest of the day is allotted for creating!  Sometimes this keeps me up until wee hours of the morn but, since it is something of my own undertaking, the lack of sleep is not a problem.

  But...back to those leaves!  Pop always called the trees "black gum trees" so, needless to say, that is my name for them as well.  Another common name is black tupelo which is derived from the Creek Indian name for the tree "ito opilwa".  This roughly translated means "swamp tree" which is fully appropriate.  These trees love growing in near swamps.  

  The trees are the first to show a bit of color here on the Bayou.  Since we rarely get the full "glory of autumn" with the leaf color thing, the black gum trees are highly appreciated for their bit of a show.  The leaves being blown from the trees today are a start of my "autumn".  I will take whatever I can get!  I do not mind getting showered with leaves while I water the garden.