Sunny deer!

 These guys were hanging out in the wetlands for so long this morning, in the same spot, that I thought they were stuck...

... then suddenly, they ran away.

A really nice, sunny, crisp morning for a family outing.

Greyday

Today is grey, and damp, and raining off-and-on; leaves are falling but many trees are beautifully orange-brown-red-yellow.

The pumpkin-heads are leering at me from the table on the deck. Really must move them to the front of the house to scare the passers-by instead of me.

Autumnal sunrise... a misty morning in Mastic Beach

It was really, really pretty. And I really, really must get my camera and lenses cleaned. Professionally.

Mushrooms!!! (or Toadstools... don't eat these!)

 

 

Jade and I went for a walk in the woods on Sunday, intending to take photos of the colourful leaves, but ended up fascinated by all the 'shrooms. The deep oak leaf mould is perfect for them. 

Expected to see the Caterpillar sitting on one, smoking his hubbly-bubbly and enticing Alice. Instead, we saw a two-foot garter snake, brown with a go-faster stripe, zipping around in the leaves.

Budapest pictures: Sunday, October 10th

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Budapest, Hungary

For the past week, I was in Budapest, Hungary, for the LISA conference. Never been to Hungary before; was lucky enough to have Sunday free, spent all day walking, climbing, watching, looking, visiting.

Reminded me of Grenoble, only bigger and smoggier. Beautiful architecture with carvings and statues and decoration that must have taken years. Carved giants holding up the next floor of a building; beautiful women bursting from walls or carrying water vessels; giant kings or presidents or leaders fighting off pagans. You could tell the pagans, because their hair is in braids/plaits.

Noisy streets and a wide, flowing Danube river. A bridge protected by giant lions and yet called the Chain Bridge. A castle up on a hill where you can spy on the houses of parliament, the winning building in a competition where the losers were delegated to other government functions. A falling-to-pieces Casino which still has more class than anything built in the 1960's and perfectly maintained. The biggest synagogue in Europe and walls wearing the scars of the anti-Soviet uprising. Cobbled streets and taxi drivers who would be at home in the Grand Prix. Big bowls of goulash soup, and dessert of sweetened chestnut and whipped cream. Signs and words in a language which I couldn't even make a guess at the meaning of.

Pictures to follow....

And back to Long Island

Almost two weeks away, an only a few leaves have fallen, and a few more changed colour, though one of the trees at the back of the house is already almost bare.

Had a wonderful few days in Grenoble and in Budapest; wonderful to spend time with friends at work, it's amazing how much we can do/learn/think just being together for a while. And friends new and old(er) at LISA, I always value the time we get together, agree/disagree/challenge/inspire each other... we're working in an industry that is turning itself inside-out with new ways of doing things, and it is fun. Hope to see you again soon.

Sassenage Shito-Ryu karate: I miss you guys!  Darn good workouts... yep I was the only woman in the Friday night Karate Contact class, felt like the good old days. I must be mad ;-)

(Those of you in France, the first international Cup/Contact Karate is the weekend of October 23rd, in Sassenage--Dominique Valera will be there, plus other champions. For more information see http://coupe.karate-ryu.com/index.htm  I'd be there if I could!)

Yesterday's sunset

Sometimes, the best part of the sunset is in the opposite direction to the sun.

Yesterday and today

Yesterday, I was wearing a sleeveless top and it was too warm and bright to sit on the deck and read. This morning, I wore a pullover and a jacket for Bella's walk. The poison ivy has turned red, seemingly overnight.

Now the sun is trying to break through the clouds, but it's still a different season to Saturday.

And the birds are gathering

More came to join them... squabbling to find a space on the wire. Then they rose as one, clouded and swarmed over the wetlands, and flew away. Heading south, or to another local roost?

Roses!

It's the beginning of October, but today was just beautiful... sunny, warm, calm, mild. Tranquil.

The roses prefer the less-humid days, and are blooming again just for fun. And they are all old-fashioned, scented beauties. How can you grow roses that don't have perfume???

Within minutes, pink changed to steel

Reed section

The wind was making music in the reeds.

Beginning of October

It was a spectacular beginning to the month. Warm, blustery, and pink.