Harbinger?

It's still too early in autumn to grade the season's foliage display, but this flowering dogwood is already in fine form.  Dogwoods are always the first trees to "color up" here in the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont.

The dogwoods are heavily laden with drupes this year, which will be a boon for the migratory birds that fatten up on the lipid-rich fruit.

The first Northern Harrier appeared over our grasslands earlier this week.  At least one harrier usually overwinters here, but the early arriver may move on, to be replaced by another bird as the season progresses.

The Fabric of Nature

Return of the Grackle by Diane Rusin Doran

Kali and I attended the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XVIII show over the weekend.  I made images of some of the best of the nature-themed quilts.  As Kali said, "If these pieces were made by men, they'd be hanging in museums."  Return of the Grackle, above, may have been my favorite.  

In some cases, I jotted down a note about the quilter and the title of the work.  If I did so, I have added the information to the caption.  Otherwise, you'll have to use your imagination.

Autumn Leaves by Israeli artist Eti David

Alberta Rockies #2 by Patti Morris 

(Winner: First Place in World Quilt Competition XV, Innovative Category)

Earthquake Faults by Marcia DeCamp

Detail from Celtic Cranes by Leslie Davis

(Winner: Best Use of Color in the Traditional Category, World Quilt Competition XV)

The one above is for Grizz.

On Summit Trail by Deb Brockway

And, last but not least, this one's for Desert Packrat, because it reminded me of a picture he took recently during a hike on the Switchback Trail in the Sacramento Mountains.