Lens-Artists Challenge 106: Autumn

A Pinterest favorite is this home surrounded by trees of autumn splendor standing in the square of Castine.

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.

Henry David Thoreau

Autumn truly is my favorite time of year — cooler temperature, luscious colors, and activities related to going back to school, hiking, and taking long drives in the country. Life truly does begin again in the fall.

Fall scene at Pipestem State Park, W Virginia
Peaceful fall scene at Pipestem State Park, West Virginia

I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

Henry David Thoreau

Working with teachers in Clark County, Nevada, allowed me to stay near the Bellagio on the Las Vegas strip. As always, I would check out the displays in the Conservatory, no matter what season I was there. This talking tree surrounded by pumpkins, the epitome of autumn, kept most of us visitors in stitches as it “spoke” to us in a deep voice and rolled its eyes at us!

Pumpkins at Bellagio Conservatory, Las Vegas,
Can a tree talk? It can if it’s part of the autumn display at Bellagio’s Conservatory.

How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.

John Burroughs

It’s the leaves, of course, that make us all aware of fall in the air. And no matter how busy we are, the leaves get our attention, especially if they’re ablaze with sundown color.

Pipestem Resort fall leaves, West Virginia
Fall leaves kissed by afternoon sun: Pipestem Resort State Park, West Virginia

Americans are at our best when we build bridges between us not walls around us.

Eric Swalwell

This treasure — an 1857 humpback bridge near Covington, Virginia, with its middle higher than the ends — speaks to the lessons we can learn from a structure that’s at its prettiest in the fall: we need to continue to strive to build bridges in all walks of life if we are to co-exist peacefully.

Fall at Humpback Bridge, Virginia

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all.

Stanley Horowitz

Be sure to check out more entries to this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #106: Autumn at Patti’s Moed’s blog.

Thanks for traveling with us,

Rusha & Bert

39 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge 106: Autumn

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. It’s my favorite time of year! And it was fun looking through my photos. Stay safe out there, and thanks for commenting.

  1. anne leueen

    These are delightful photos as a response to the autumn challenge. And the quotes you have chosen are also so good with these photos. I really enjoyed this post.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thank you so much. I wasn’t sure I had May pictures to share. But once I got down to reviewing photos, I found more than I remembered!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I agree! In fact, a lot of Thoreau quotes are me!! Thanks for taking a look and commenting. Stay safe.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I love the Thoreau quote as well. Although it was a little hard to focus on fall pictures this week, it was kind of fun to look back! Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them very much.

  2. Amy

    Such a beautiful series, Rusha. The first image is so beautiful. Bellagio’s Conservatory has the best display. Thank you for sharing Eric Swalwell’s quote. 🙂

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks, Amy. It was helpful to have the theme ahead of time. I got to look through a bunch of fall photos!!! Stay safe.

  3. Greenglobaltrek

    Beautiful photos and colors. I miss Fall – having lived in tropical countries: Nicaragua, Sri Lanka and Vietnam for the past decade… it’s hot all year round. Usually we try to schedule a US trip during the Gall but sadly this year I don’t think it’s gonna be possible.

    Peta

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thank you so much. I love autumn. And since I was a teacher, fall was the time we started a new year fresh and full of hope for a good year.

  4. maristravels

    At first I sighed and muttered “Only in Vegas” and then I realised I was being a grumpy old woman and I thought again and this time I smiled. What a lovely idea, a talking tree, just like in the fairy-tales. So why can’t we believe in talking trees? I will, from now on. And probably fairies and elves, and that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Thanks.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I’ve seen 3 seasonal displays at Bellagio, and they’ve all been magical. I guess it fits in the city that seems other-worldly anyway!!! Thx so much for your comment! And stay safe.

  5. pattimoed

    Well, you got me with that marvelous statement about building bridges. It’s true now, more than ever. And your photos are lovely. The talking tree reminds me so much of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones! Wonderful.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      It was amazing how many adults were standing in front of the tree smiling. You might have thought that only children would enjoy it, but not so. We all like being childlike, I guess! Stay safe, Patti!

  6. Stine Writing

    I too love the fall except for one spider that comes that time of year. It sort of ruins the whole season for me.

      1. Stine Writing

        No, even though I think I would die if I saw one. This is an orange one. I have had to go to therapy because my fear is so bad. I don’t even know why. I have spider nightmares when I’m under a lot of stress. Some people laugh and show me spider pictures but honestly it is nothing to laugh about.

      2. Stine Writing

        No, even though those are horrid. This is an orange one. I have terrible spider nightmares when I am stressed. I went to therapy for it. People think its funny to then show me spider pictures or act like there is one on me but it really f—s me up!

      3. Oh, the Places We See

        I have a friend who is deathly afraid of snakes. Won’t even look at pictures. So I get it. Hope you can always keep your distance.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. We love traveling in the fall — and when we worked we were never able to do so.

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