It is astonishing how suddenly Fall sets in around here. A week ago I was hard put to find evidence of it, bar a scattering of trees that seemingly couldn’t wait to get started.
But in the past few days Fall seems to have got a kick start, which makes me keen to go out around the countryside, but with a strong nor’easter blowing, we’ll have to wait, probably till Tuesday when I have an appointment in any case.
.
By the time we see it again the poor sugar maple may well have shed all its leaves.
Here inland, the storm has brought only strong wind and rain, but the East Coast from Maine to North Carolina is badly affected with terrible flooding. As so often happens, this storm arrived in conjunction with a full moon and higher tides to compound the problem.
Nature is not happy. If we don’t blow ourselves up first, I believe She will eventually shrug all of humanity off to make way for a more viable life form.
.
Further south, the storm was preceded by vividly dramatic sunsets, contrary to the old saying: “Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight, red sky in the morning shepherd’s warning“. I have never found either to be accurate. Perhaps it was 2,000 years ago when the saying is said to have originated.
.
Is it significant that our comparatively mild version of the storm was preceded by pink?
Unlikely, but you can understand how superstitions arise.
.
We continued for the time being to have peaceful skies, although after this serene dawn, the Sun’s ascent of the horizon was feted with showy fanfare:
.
Not long after, we went shopping, or I should say Grant did. I go along for the ride and wait in the parking lot where I find things to entertain myself. I always hope for a dog in an adjacent car, but this day it was trees that got my attention.
.
Maple trees are easy to identify.
Just think of the Canadian flag.
Besides, in Washington I owned several maples of different sorts. They were beautiful and they were one of my few regrets when I sold the house.
Another of the Hannaford’s parking lot trees however, remains unidentified, due to the ongoing failure of the not-so-great intelligence!
.
Chokecherry grows on a bush and I’m not sure I believe they are sour cherries.
.
In this photo, AI sees “Plum”
While it identifies two others as “Autumn olive” which is not even close and “Crab apple”.
So, 5 identities for the same tree.
Crab apples I encountered in the past were much more like regular apples, just very much smaller, but I believe there is another variety, so I am inclined to think that’s what these are.
.
Returning home, we paused beneath the sugar maple, which the Great Intelligence insists is a
“Tropical Almond”.
No. It’s not.
This could undermine one’s confidence.
It is an accomplishment to have created computer devices that will identify objects/plants/insects etc and where it is successful, it is helpful, however knowing that it is not infallible does rather detract from its worth.
.
It’s the same tree. I rest my case.
.
Speeding up here as well! I guess we are off then.