The Splendour of Autumn (秋之風采)

Autumn is come. I expected to find only dry leaves, brittle twigs, ground full of the crumpled remains what was once standing proudly in the air.



Sure enough I found some withered leaves

 and some on its way there



But I also found some sprouting leaves

and tendrils anxious to find some support

and even clumps of flowers

or a crown of red needles

 

and even tiny red flames

But these little strings of tiny flowers are not ready to call it a day

and this melon flower too finds the autumn air inspiring

The leaves too are ready to do all they can to protect them

These tiny flowers seem to be doing pretty well without any special support



The pigs ear is one of them.

So is this chrysanthemum

a little water would do little harm

The autumn sun remains as attractive

These had just their night of splendour

Autumn is seeding time too

 

And seeds need a little cover

Some flowers too feel it much safer to dangle close to the leaves

But these delicate orchids definitely prefer a little extra attention

Not too much direct sunlight

unlike the lotus flower, which can withstand sun, rain and wind

Orchids are delicate

It takes time to grow their pouches

They prefer not to have their liquid honey diluted



How they love shelter



Often they are small

Pelting rains are not welcome

Their leaves are too slender to give any protection

Some of them are a little tougher

But they are no match for these, who choose to win by numbers

They grow in clumps

stretching out in all directions

  

in deep purple

or in lighter hues.

It's a completely different matter for these pond flowers

which can bloom all year round



How freely they spread their petals

Some are their own suns



These weeds grow whenever there's still water in the pond

Whatever different plants prefer, Nature has plenty of tricks up its sleeves 

Nothing prepares me a visit by the butterflies

They literally flutter all around my head

making brief stops only to suck up a little honey

coming in all colors and sizes

That's why I love Nature. You never really know what you'll find when you go out to her.