Autumn Color - Part 1

I dropped Seamus and Fergus off at the groomer for their autumn haircuts. On the way home, I noticed what beautiful autumn scenery surrounded me, so I took a few detours in order to get some photos:

We were only at 40% color at the time according to the weather report, but it was glorious color:

I'd say that the woods bordering farm fields were more than 40% along:

These old hay bales appeared to have been there beside the road for years, but they framed the picture nicely:

One of the roads I took was called Pleasant Valley Road, which was fitting:

I've become adept at recognizing Roughleaf Dogwood in spring bloom and autumn color, even from a distance. That's it in the bottom right hand corner:

I took a detour though a tiny settlement called West Stockbridge and passed by this lovely lake:

The trees on the far side were beginning to take on color, and the lake itself was filled with Canada Geese and waterlilies:

The shoreline of the lake was home to New England Asters, dried Queen Anne's Lace and Cattails:

And the trees beside the lake were displaying lovely colors:

I took one last photo of the lake and then continued on my way:

Passing through farm country, I kept my eyes open for trees abutting hay fields and corn fields. But I knew there were even more colorful trees to be seen as I got closer to home, so I kept going. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

How To Make Dogs Really, Really Happy

It's simple. Just take them for a romp in a hay field! I walked the dogs across the north field in search of colorful maple leaves. I found no leaves to use, but the dogs had the time of their lives. You can see little Jack in this photo, just rounding the bend at full speed:

And then Clover took off running - so fast that no one else could keep up:

Of course, everyone had to stop and sniff for wildlife:

But then they again took off running:

It's not a big field, so we were soon at the opposite fence line. I walked along the fence, watching for colorful leaves:

The dogs walked with me, sniffing for wild beasts:

The walk didn't last long, and soon it was time to return to the house and barn:

Which of course meant more running at full speed:

The little dogs ran, but Seamus and I, lame old codgers that we are, just plodded along:

Jack disappeared momentarily, but he too came running when I called for him:

It was a joyous procession back across the field. It did my heart good to see the dogs so happy:

And soon we were home. The dogs got to run to their hearts content and smell the exciting smells of whatever it is dogs smell:

Peru Road, Town Of Lawrence, New York - Part 1

It was a clear, beautiful winter day in the north country, and I decided to take a driving tour on my way to Potsdam. I chose Peru Road, in the rural town of Lawrence, NY. My first stop was this woodsy home with firewood stacked up outdoors:

There were a few big, modern suburban homes, but I skipped them, searching for older places, reminiscent of country life in the past. This barn, wagon and outbuildings was just what I was looking for:

I drove right by this home, thinking it didn't look old enough, but then backed up to snap a picture when I noticed, on my way by, how scenic it was. What a lovely home in the country:

I stopped to photograph this home, but several small, furiously barking dogs sent me quickly on my way. It wasn't until I got home and looked at the photo that I saw the hanging deer carcass, the bird feeder and the big dog:

Peru Road has some prosperous looking Amish farms, and this one is perhaps the biggest and most picturesque:

This is the house which goes with the above farm:

There were corn fields and hay fields all along the road:

This honey stand stopped me in my tracks because I recognized it. I used to buy honey from this self-serve stand when it was on the highway, but then it disappeared. Apparently the bee keeper moved to Peru Road - or maybe he quit keeping bees and sold the stand:

This magnificent barn was behind the honey stand:

A field of Amish corn shocks:

Another prosperous looking Amish home:

And a beautiful Amish barn. There was more yet to see on Peru Road, and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Beautiful October In The North Country

I traveled along Converse Road in Fort Jackson, New York to photograph this golden colonnade:

And on nearby Sheldon Road, I found a corner lot filled with these beautiful leaves:

There is a gravel road beside my house where I saw these red Sumacs:

Continuing down the gravel road, red and yellow trees towered above me:

I like autumn color when there is still enough green to highlight the red and yellow:

Along a neighbor's property:

A tree so red it almost glowed:

A small hay field between a stone wall and an autumn colored woodland:

Explosions of color all along the road:

Down toward the end of the road, this house was selling pumpkins:

The light colored bark of Aspen trees stood out among the brighter colors:

And colorful trees bordered the Amish farmer's pasture. It is down the road from his house and barn, and he takes a milk can down there in his buggy every morning, milks his cows and hauls the milk back to his family. New York's north country is beautiful all year long, but October is especially so:

Days Mill Road, Hopkinton NY - Part 3

I was approaching the end of my driving tour of Days Mill Road (see also Parts 1 and 2, posted previously), and stopped at this country home with outbuildings:

There was a bird house in the top of that old tree and a tire swing hanging below. The outbuilding on the right was in the style which always causes me to think it was once the main residence on this farm:

Lots of firewood and a hay field:

An old style country home:

This wonderful barn had an orange and white cat grooming itself in the open hayloft door. If you click to enlarge the picture, you can see it:

A large, well maintained home with an enclosed porch and several outbuildings:

A tiny cottage behind the trees, possibly someone's weekend getaway:

New England Asters and Goldenrod between the road and the forest:

Tall Red Pines along the road:

A large and elaborate home in a woodsy style, with a brook right behind it:

I turned off of Days Mill Road onto the state road, which was lined with corn fields:

And across from the corn fields were old apple trees, apparently untended and dropping their copious fruit all over the ground. It was all wondrous autumn scenery. But this was the end of my driving tour and I had dogs at home who were anxious for me to return. I put my camera away and headed homeward: