Fallen Leaves

We are enjoying an especially beautiful and lingering Fall season here in Mississippi. Everywhere you look, the roadsides and fence rows are ablaze with God's glory.

I was pleased to capture a little of that beauty last week on the Natchez Trace near Ridgeland, Mississippi (you can click on the link if you would like to read that post).

Today, I would like to share a few pictures I took while walking around our yard yesterday afternoon. It is that time of year when leaves are falling and are finding their way into every nook and cranny of our yard, courtyard, and patio. And while, overall, they make everything look "messy," I discovered that up close they are truly amazing little works of art.

I find it hard to comprehend how these Crape Myrtle leaves managed to nestle themselves around the holly berries in this picture (you can click on the picture to enlarge it, if you'd like to get a closer look) ...

Wouldn't it have been interesting to watch them fall during a time-lapse video!

A few more Crape Myrtle leaves stubbornly cling to their branches ...

This little leaf was resting on a birdhouse, and caught my attention as I walked by ...

As did this one, nestled in a clump of Liriope ...

This Sycamore tree is behind the fence in our backyard and its dinner plate-size leaves are littering the flowerbeds.

But upon closer inspection, there's no way you could call this beautiful leaf "litter!"

I found this pretty red leathery-looking leaf in a flowerbed. It was the only one I saw like it ...

Our Burford Hollies have an abundance of colorful berries this Fall ...

I plan to use some of them for my Christmas decorating ...

The afternoon sun was highlighting the white feathery plumes on our dwarf Pampas Grass plants. I love the way they contrast with the trees in the background.

Japanese Maple Tree

This lantern hangs on the path leading from the courtyard to our backyard, and, even though the lantern is a little out of focus in the picture, I like the Christmas Camellias and Crape Myrtle trees in the background.

These are just a few of the things that caught my attention as I walked around the yard. Now, when I look out my windows and see the "messy" courtyard and patio strewn with leaves, I will remember these pictures and enjoy the leaves while I can. Soon, the trees will be bare and the landscapes drab as winter sets in, and I'll be wishing for some color — even if it is "untidy" fallen leaves.