September Art

I call this art, but I think most birds are calling it "dessert." To be specific, these purple clusters are American Beauty Berries, or Callicarpa americana.

Prolific in the Southeast, these shrubs are found in rural areas where birds drop their seeds along fence rows, beneath trees and underneath my back porch. This fat branch of berries is lit by the afternoon sun. It's been conveniently planted by the birds near their favorite watering spot.

Lipstick Red

I often see red male cardinals resting in trees at the edge of the woods, about 500 feet from my kitchen window. But I'm not sure if they're actually birds until I see them fly to another branch. My uncertainty comes from seeing an occasional "lipstick red" leaf that stands out from the vibrant summer greens. I'm sure this also confuses the predators who stalk the colorful birds.

In Georgia, the appearance of red dramatically increases in late August. The sumac, above, appears like a precocious child who's discovered her mother's makeup.

Let Me Count the Ways

How do I love thee, pretty watermelon? Let me count the ways..... I'm charmed by your fat green stripes that meet precisely at each end. I enjoy the wonderful cracking sound as you split wide open.

But most of all, I'm thrilled to discover that you are RIPE.

Intelligent Vine

This bright green vine began a vertical ascent, but then it made an abrupt U-turn. Upon very close inspection, you'll see the delicate new growth waiting directly beneath the faucet. (Click the image for a larger view.)

Does the vine smell water? Does it like the bright blue knob? Maybe it's just curious.

I find the 1950s style of the faucet quite charming, but I didn't pay it much attention until the vine appeared with its refreshing touch of green. Just when I think I've photographed everything of interest in my yard, I'm met with something more.

A Rich Palette

I enjoy clipping bits and pieces from a landscape to showcase what might otherwise be unnoticed. My photographer's eye is always alert for vignettes of unique interest.

God used a rich palette to paint the Georgia country where I explored on this day. A bold red bluff was the perfect backdrop for woodland sunflowers and other blooms scattered along the roadside. Together they form a glorious tapestry, enjoyed by the few who travel this remote thoroughfare.

Muscadines

Muscadine vines spilling gently over a red clay bluff provide a quintessential view of rural Georgia. But this picture of leaves and soil also hints of exotic, far-away places. Grape leaves whisper of Italy, and the earthen wall suggests Mexico—while vibrant colors allude to both. A wide vein of mica near the ground adds balance and a golden shine to this "multi-cultural" scene.