Thank you, Summer, for your heat and color.
Thank you, September, for your rain and cooler air.
Oak Leaf Colour Square over three weeks.
Artist: Richard Shilling
Happy Autumn Equinox.
Welcome, season of decay and renewal.
Turning Point
#season
The Official Chestnut
The Official Chestnut
Apparently, it’s the first day of spring, even though the Spring Equinox is still a couple of weeks away.
But here near Lake Geneva, the oracle has spoken – and that oracle is the Official Chestnut of the city, located in the Old Town’s lovely Promenade de la Treille. The apparition of the first leaf on this tree signifies the start of spring in this region, as determined by a Geneva city functionary known as a sautier, a grounds watchman (an official post in Geneva since 1483) . This is the third tree to be dubbed the official season starter, in service since 1929. The previous two trees are gone, but the tradition dates back to 1818. The tree has its own official plaque.
And I must say, it is feeling very springlike out – the sun is shining, there’s a brisk but unwinterly breeze about, and I am definitely hearing the siren song of the garden calling.
The Official Chestnut if full leaf.
Source: City of Geneva
Summer Farewell
A walk during the last evening of summer on the Autumn Equinox.
The images aren’t as sharp as they could be, much like my memories of this long season.
Mont Blanc across the Lake Geneva basin.
Photo: PK Read
Welcome autumn, season of harvest and provision, of warm golden days and crisp evenings.
Jura mountains, facing the Rhône Valley.
Photo: PK Read
A favorite season, the season of new seeds ready to be hardened by winter in the trust that, against all expectations, they will sprout in spring.
Autumn field, just plowed for winter planting.
Photo: PK Read
Seasonal Spiral
Credit: Jim Denevan
Summer doesn’t officially end in the Northern Hemisphere until September 22 this year.
But as it is my official back-to-work day after a very long summer, I thought I’d put this Jim Denevan beach spiral up to remind myself that the tide that washes away also brings renewal and a fresh start.