The Grande Finale! It's November! And I am so glad we had such a lovely display this Fall. It won't last much longer-- the rain and wind will see to that. But it's sights like this that will make me remember and be grateful for the Fall of '25!

 

Leaves! Autumn colors are beautiful near the old Olequa Crossing.

 

It's like a dream or fantasy that turns out to be real...

 

Quiet time on the Cowlitz River with a lone seagull down by the water...

 

Oh, go ahead! You know you want one! The old survivor still does what apple trees do!

 

The trunk is split with half the tree hacked away, and nobody picks the apples, but this old apple tree has probably been in this pasture up the road for well over a hundred years. The apples and the leaves are always the last to fall this time of year. You can see the little red guys all over this tree. This tree is a survivor!

 

Look for the light...

 

That tickles!

 

Nightwing...

 

A formation of Canada Geese--- no, they're not migrating yet. They fly over our house, squawking and complaining, quite often-- and we love 'em! This group is probably headed for some quiet place to spend the night.

 

Beautiful colors--- even the tree on the far right which has lost many of its leaves.

 

What's called an atmospheric river is hitting the Pacific Coast this coming Friday. I imagine it will bring weather that will make a lot of the leaves fall. The colors are nice to see while we can!

 

The gate...

 

The fresh green grass has attracted some of the near by cattle to the decaying old 1940s dairy barn, not far from us. Dairy farms are more common to the north of here, but this one probably served our little town quite well in those days. Lots of cattle are raised near us, but they are not dairy cows.

 

Going 'round the bend... Do you see the little dog on the beach on the far left?

Beautiful weather and beautiful leaves along the Cowlitz River-- and I think these guys know where the fish are!

 

Painted leaves...

 

I don't think there's anything more fun than watching a dog play on the beach!

 

As the day ends, the gull is still hunting...

 

Fly!

 

Just relax and let your horse decide where you're going...

 

Near the mouth of the Columbia River, the cormorants like to sit on the old pilings and watch the Coast Guard go by...

 

Solitary

 

A Great Blue Heron in the late afternoon sunshine! There's probably time for one more fish in the wetlands...

 

I know there must be a unicorn somewhere close...

 

Keeping watch!

 

It's the light! It's always the light.

 

The tree was very sad, but the crow gently said, "It's alright, tree, you're doing the best you can." And the crow sat at the top of the tree for quite a while.

 

Home at last! It's always a marvel to see the salmon return to the little creeks after their long journeys. They spawn and pass on... It's all part of nature's cycle.

 

Just a few raindrops, otherwise it's a good time for walking and enjoying the colors.

 

All the colors of October are on display along this wetlands path.