November 1st - Sunny and 76°

 

When it is sunny and warm on the first day of November, you just have to go for a walk. These bright red berries were the most colorful things I found.

Well, maybe not. The golden tan of the grass and the blue waters are pretty colorful, too.

It has been awhile since we've been out to Green Valley State Park/Lake. I wanted to find a spot to photograph the Platte River which is the source of the Lake - dammed in the early 60's to create it.

This was taken from inside the park looking at the same area of the lake as above.

It is eye-opening to see how low the water is.

There is usually water going through these large tubes.

Now they stand way above the water line.

This is another shot of that bush shown in the first photo. The red berries don't show up as well.

But what does is all the clearing of trees and brush that has been done along that far east side of the water. All along that section of the road has been cleared.

It looks so different.

We only hiked to the top of the hill before turning around and heading back.

It was moderately breezy. When I spotted this little yellow leaf atop the fence post I wondered why it didn't blow away.

And then I saw why - it is impaled by one small twig of that branch. There is some meaning there. I'ma gonna think on it. 

There has also been some clearing - widening of paths on this side, too.

The sun shining on this bit of dead red cedar caught my eye.

As did these small salmon colored leaves among the leaf litter of the dry ground.

A couple more of those leaves - a darker salmon - along with some yellow and green ones.

So there is some color left to be found.

The shape of dry button weeds is fascinating. Stars? Pinwheels? 

There are even some cobwebs on some of these spent blooms. Nature is so varied and interesting.

Finally, a couple treasures - a piece of limestone from the gravel walkway. You can't see it in the photo, but there are some very shiny bits imbedded in the rock.

The other item is a round brass ring with the word "India" on the rectangular piece. What from? From where?

I welcome sweet November, the season of senses, my favorite month, the month of my birth. Snow may fall before the month is over, but this first day of the month has been golden. Fitting, for its birthstone, Topaz, is the stone of love and good fortune. 💛