They All Fall Down

The last pretty part of Autumn ...
before everything turns brown and mucky and before the snow comes to cover it up.

In  Polites Park

Layers

While nearing the end of my morning walk, these layers of color and texture opened before me on the Ponderosa Blvd. hill near Polites Park. The sun rested on the autumn leaves as they nestled among the tall pines for which this part of town is named.

Click for larger image

Pumpkin Spice Time

Even on tacos!

Oh, such humor we Post Fallians share.

Storm In The East

Splintered!

Uh-oh!

Looks like we have a problem here.

Sad to see another tree at Kiwanis Park bite the dust. It appears this poor fellow was already on its last leg. Another tree turns to dust.

And the seasons, they go round and round ...

Willow

She's just starting her Autumn transformation

Sunday Drive

Dale and I went for a ride in the convertible this afternoon, so I had another chance for some passenger seat photography with my phone's camera.

What a lovely fall day on the Rathdrum Prairie! We could see for miles and miles. The intense blue sky was ripe with puffy cloud formations.

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In the mountains to the east, there was a downpour!

Fresh Oil

There's a whole lot of this going on in my part of town. We've had over a month of inconvenience, but the finished result is worth the frustration.

The worst part for me? Trying to figure out my walking routes these day so I don't feel like I'm getting oil and grit clogging the soles of my shoes.

Gone Fishin'

I spent some time at Falls Park this week. I did my best to avoid the Pokémon Go players, though a couple of them did run into me. I found some solace sitting under the weeping willow and watching the ducks scrounge for lunch.

Chippin' Away at It

Look what I found in our tortilla chips basket at Toro Viejo.
My own private Idaho!

Best Mexican food in Post Falls.

Hilde Kellogg Park

My daughter Jeanne spent some time with me geocaching in Post Falls. It was a hot day - in the 90s - and we were out in the noonday sun. Though we've driven by Hilde Kellogg Park hundreds of times, this was the first time we stopped.

Unfortunately, we didn't find the cache in this park, but that didn't keep us from having some laughs. Jeanne, being Jeanne, did a very Jeanne thing: she scampered up to the highest point she could and yelled, "Hey Mom! Take my picture!" (just the way she used to when she was a kid).

The Giving Tree

This tree stump stands at the edge of the Spokane River in Kiwanis Park. It's become a favorite of mine over the years. It maintains a dignity in every season as the years pass, as the river rolls by.

I've photographed this stump from many angles over the years. I love it in the Spring when the water level is low. I climb down the short cliff and photograph the stump from below. I love it in the early Autumn when the park empties because the kids are back in school. I've found balled up socks left to dry on the stump.

I think of "my" stump as The Giving Tree, having given birds a place to nest, having given shade on sunny days, having given its wood after a wind storm, now giving a place to sit and rest.

The four photos below were taken in different years. I like that I now have a photo of my Giving Tree at nearly the same angle in every season.

Here's the original story of The Giving Tree

Along the Trail

at Kiwanis Park

This photo is part of my July 50mm experiment -- learning to use a new camera lens.

50 mm
f/5
1/160 sec
ISO-200

Idaho Farmin'

Just off Highway 41 on the north side of town

This photo is part of my July 50mm experiment -- learning to use a new camera lens.

50 mm
f/5
1/2500 sec
ISO-160

Bobble

I'm not sure what plant this is. I found it while walking a trail in Kiwanis Park.




I love it's shape and texture in this season of its life. It looks like something that a milliner could use to decorate a hat.

The Love Shack

Down by the river at Kiwanis Park, the June bugs are getting busy making babies ...

and they seem to have an audience!

A Field of Poppies

About a month ago, I saw two fields of poppies in full bloom. One was just off Seltice, west of Spokane Street.

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This field was on Mullen between Idaho and Hwy 41.

The bright flowers called my name, so I made a special trip on a breezy day to get up close.

So glad I did.

Wildflowers of Primrose Lane

Ah, the lovely lupine!

There is an entire field of this flower blooming by my husband's office on the east side of town. They're gorgeous as they dance in the Spring breeze.

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Perhaps the street should be renamed.

Wild Phlox

Back at Kiwanis Park ...

Reaching for the light

Beautiful color and form

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

At Kiwanis Park, the forest floor is awash in yellow.

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The arrowleaf balsamroot is in full bloom.

They thrive in the shadows of the big pines, becoming more profuse each Spring

and are the big brothers to the native phlox that live beneath.

Low to the Ground

About four inches off the forest floor, this beauty was hiding in the shadows.

At Kiwanis Park

Floating on a Spring Breeze

At Kiwanis Park

On the Forest Floor - Camas

I took a walk through Kiwanis Park last week. The forest floor is coming alive with color.

Delicate camas sway daintily among the tall grasses.

Older blossoms die on the stem. New blooms reach over their heads for what sunlight they can find. Ants scurry among the petals and pollen.

Springtime Swim

The duck pond at Falls Park

Panorama at the Falls

My daughter Jeanne spent the day with me today. It was a glorious Spring day here in north Idaho! After playing in the dirt in our yard (otherwise known as weeding), we took a picnic lunch over to Falls Park.

Lots of folks were out enjoying the sunshine, the ducks, and the geese with the roar of the Falls and the mist on the hill as a backdrop to hiking and playing.

After lunch on the grass, we took the short hike to the boardwalk to stand in awe of our local wonder. Jeanne took this lovely panorama shot: the historic water tower can be seen in the distance on the left; our city park is visible over the top of the dam, the roaring waters beneath, and the rising mist on the right. Be sure to click on this picture to see a larger image.



I love our town and the man-made and natural beauty it has to offer.
Viva la Post Falls!