Photography, Wisconsin

The Perils of Leaves

by Ingrid

Timing is everything when it comes to most things in life, and we seemed to have timed our recent travels perfectly. It was the second full week in October and the leaves were changing from brilliant hues of reds, oranges, and yellows to varying shades of brown. Those dry rust-colored leaves were a clear indication that the trees would soon be bare and winter would be nipping at our heels.

With a memory card full, I was satisfied with my collection of autumn foliage images and ready to get the RV moved to a warmer climate. Bye-bye Wisconsin, hello Arizona. After seven straight days of driving and 1,900 miles later, Al and I made it safely to our destination in Phoenix, Arizona, and managed to escape the snowstorm that targeted the upper Midwest.

Currently, there are six inches of snow covering the ground where our RV once sat. Yep, good timing on our part. Now it’s time for us to settle back into our RVing community in the desert southwest, but first, I need to share a few more photographs of nature’s beautiful landscape.

Our home this past summer and fall.

Beware of what lies beneath.

With our departure date looming, I took every possible opportunity to get out into nature to soak up the colors. I hadn’t been back to this part of the country during this time of year for probably thirty years. Oh, how I’ve missed this! The western United States has its own unique beauty that I love, but these past months back in the Midwest have felt a bit like a homecoming. I was in my comfort zone, in my element, and enjoying every moment and what a treat it was. But as we all know, life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.

Wanting to capture images of sunrises and morning reflections on the lake required me to set upon my explorations early in the morning. It was usually just me, my camera, and the wildlife wandering the forest before sunrise, and it wasn’t uncommon for us to startle one another. Fortunately, these encounters were in the friendly form of deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, birds, but thankfully no black bear. Mind you, I was ever on the lookout.

When exploring, I do my best to be aware of my surroundings at all times and avoid potential obstacles that could end in injury. So there I was, traipsing through the forest, stepping over and under branches, and immersed in the sights and sounds. The air was crisp and fresh. The leaves crunched beneath each cautious footstep while I listened to Loons calling in the distance.

And then it happened … in a split second … beneath the thick carpet of leaves hid a twig. When I unknowingly stepped on it at just the right angle, it flipped up and one of the edges scraped down my shin. Ouch! Ah, the perils of walking in a leaf-covered forest, but nothing a little time wouldn’t heal.

Injuries happen!
Hey lady, watch where you’re walking!
A beautiful morning in the neighborhood.

What a treat!

Spending time with family on lakefront property these past four months was a treat … add in beautiful fall colors and it just doesn’t get much better … such a treat!

Photo challenge: Lens-Artist Challenge #120 – What a Treat! This week, Tina asks us to share photographs depicting a ‘treat’. Spending the autumn season in northern Wisconsin and seeing the changing of leaves was indeed a very special treat for me.

98 thoughts on “The Perils of Leaves”

  1. Gosh your foliage photos are stunning. I believe I said this before but I’ve been missing all the colors and your photos have been scratching an itch!

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  5. What a treat, indeed! You had a wonderful summer and beginning of fall, Ingrid and your photos and blog posts show it. Such a joy – the family, the location, the timing. Like you, I’ve gathered a few of those bloody scratches on my shins. Unfortunately, they are scars now. I hope your scratch heals better. And, like you, we left MA right in time. They had their first snowfall as well. Five inches! The temps in the Southeast are still doable.

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    1. Fortunately, my leg is almost 100% with just a slight color variation that I think will fade in time. What’s funny is in my next post, I share a link to a hike I did at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks where I bang up my knee pretty bad 🥴 What kind of message am I sending? 🤣 Glad to hear you escaped the northeast just in time! Weather in Phoenix is very doable.🌵

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    1. Obviously, fall is equally as subtle in AZ as it is in FL. Thus, it was a treat for me to be in the north to experience a beautiful autumn. Hope you have a great winter.

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  9. Ingrid your images are ….well I have long since run out of adjectives to describe your photos. Stunning, beautiful, breath taking. I feel the stillness of the morning in each one. Happily I do not feel the nasty scrape to the shin. Ouch! Glad to hear you beat the snow home. We have had so much snow that the ski hills opened early. It has now melted in the city so we are currently riding the meteorological roller coaster that is Calgary. 🙂

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    1. Awe, thank you Sue. I figured Canada was already getting a healthy dose of snow considering it hit northern WI and MN somewhat early. Let the winter adventures begin!

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    1. Thanks Pam. Agree … love fall. We were fortunate to have a great place to hunker down for the summer, and our lives for the most part, were as close to normal as could be expected under the circumstances.

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  11. Good morning to you. I grew up in good old Chicago as a child. I think my love for open spaces was planted when the family visited my Grandmas farm in Indiana in many occasions. Wisconsin oh my goodness …. many camping trips up that way. My father was raised in Baraboo so Devils Lake was a trip we looked forward to.
    My son and family currently live in Waunakee.
    I retired from work about 4 years ago and love to hook up the camper and off I go. My husband and I live in Chino Valley.
    I wish you the best in your travels, be safe and stay healthy. Jan Blas

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    1. I love Devils Lake, but it didn’t love our RV when some trees cracked our RV skylight. Oh well, it was worth it. I too grew up camping in Wisconsin and it was great spending our summer there.

      We were just in Prescott on Monday getting dental work done. We spent two summers in Prescott Valley thinking we would settle there. It’s still on the short list. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I enjoy connecting with folks with similar backgrounds 😀

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  14. You did a terrific job of capturing the beauty of the Midwest when the weather is still civilized, Ingrid, and your colorful tree photos are truly spectacular. And how great that you enjoyed your days and got out when you did. Cheeky sparrow. Great to know you are safely in AZ now. Thanks for this great post.

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    1. Thank you Jet. Love your comment … “When the weather is still civilized” 🤣 Excellent way of putting it! We had a great time back in the Midwest … never thought I’d say that. Being there for fall colors was delightful but those grey gloomy skies started getting old.

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  15. Beautiful pictures . I bet you were very happy you missed the snow! I cannot believe it’s fall and oct is almost over. Thanksgiving will be here soon, then Christmas, where did this crazy year go?
    I am glad I have been tethered down in Fla but look forward to traveling next summer. Your photos remind me of how many other places there are to see in this country. I hope to get up in that area as I Havenot been up there at all.
    Have fun with the kids in Arizona( sorry they are not kids anymore) Happy Holidays!!

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    1. I agree … where has this crazy year gone? Fortunately, we had a great time in WI. I didn’t get in the travel I wanted, but I’m totally ok with that. We plan to return next summer, so if you get up into that part of the country, be sure and reach out. Happy holidays to you as well.

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  16. Ingrid,
    OMG! Stunning pictures! After our three month trip, I’m taking a short technology break, but I’m so glad I didn’t miss this post. Glad you’re home safely and, hopefully, ready to share some desert beauty with us. Looking forward to that. Joe

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    1. Thank you Joe. I hear ya on the technology break. I think I’m getting close to one also. We have so many projects and appts to deal with that I fear any photo explorations are weeks away 😏

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  18. Your photos are exceptionally beautiful again, Ingrid! You make a great point on “timing.” We have talked about travelling to Eastern Canada for the Fall colours, yet the best timing can vary two to four weeks. Not this year, of course. British Columbia already has snow, too, depending on where you travel. I like your phrase “life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.” Did you use a tripod for the injury photo? Oops, I should first ask whether you are okay, and then how did you take the photo. 😊 An amazing photo of the bird. Your post is a huge treat for me, Ingrid. 😊 Safe travels.

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    1. Snow provides its own beauty, but when traveling in an RV, it’s a four letter word that we don’t utter and do our best to avoid. 🤣

      My leg is fine except for a mild scar that’ll fade in time. I used a little Joby Gorilla tripod and the iPhone to take a pic of myself. I own four tripods, yet that’s the only one I seem to use and mostly for selfies. All my landscapes are handheld cause I’m too lazy to use a tripod. I still have a bunch more fall color photos so maybe one more fall post before moving on. 😉

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        1. I’ve had mine for years and love it. It’s so easy to throw in my daypack without adding much weight. I can usually find a rock, ledge, or table to prop it on. Convenient little gadget to have.

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  20. What a treat for us to view these breathtaking images. Thank you for taking us there, Ingrid.
    Seven straight days of driving, wow! So glad you are back to Arizona safely.

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    1. You are very welcome, Amy. Yeah, the driving got old, but we weren’t in the mood to slow down and explore along the way. Plus we had upcoming appts. With all this weather rolling in around the country, I’m glad we’re settled for awhile.

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  25. Love that you had such a wonderful season and had the opportunity to spend time capturing such beautiful photos. Good to hear you arrived safe & sound in Arizona, sounds like your timing couldn’t have been more perfect!

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    1. Yes, our timing couldn’t have been better. Had we waited, we would’ve encountered all kinds of weather during our drive back to AZ. Now I’ll need to figure out some fun stuff to do this winter.😏

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    1. Stay away? Not me! Just the other day, I had tankers flying over me as they were battling a fire right off the 17 and our exit to the RV park. Ah, the smell of a campfire … not good when the neighboring hill is burning. Geez!

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  28. As usual, stunning photographs Ingrid. Pleased it was a twig that surprised you, and not one of those bears you mentioned. Sounds like you moved on just in time, mind you I would have enjoyed seeing photos of the snow too. Keep safe.

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    1. Thank you Chris. My sister-in-law sent me images of the snow and it is indeed beautiful but too cold for my desert blood. I finally feel warm again 😄

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  29. Thanks for the beautiful reminders of fall in the Midwest. We moved to Arizona (Gilbert) in April and things are very different here. They’re neither better or worse in the aggregate, just different. I will be heading to higher ground at least occasionally in the winter to get my snow fix, though.

    Safe travels home,

    janet

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    1. You and I are basically from the same area in IL and I enjoyed visiting the Morton Arboretum every fall. Oh, how I’ve missed a ‘real’ autumn and it did not let me down. Now we’re settled back into our spot in Anthem, and I’ll need to come up with new photo inspiration. You’ll enjoy the winter here and a must see is the Desert Botanical Garden in Feb, March, or April. Keep me in mind if you’d like a blog/photo pal to meet you there 🙂

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  30. Loved all your fabulous fall photos in the past posts. The colors are so bright. Makes me want to wrap up in a blanket with a good book and cup of hot chocolate. Glad to read you switched to the new WP editor. I’ve been using it for several months. A few things annoy me, but mostly I like it better.

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    1. The fall was absolutely beautiful … except for a stretch of grey overcast skies. I agree with you regarding the new editor. I like the creative features but there are some annoying things. Plus, it’s still taking me a little bit of playing around as it’s not quite second nature. Ah, time!

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  31. Beautiful photos. You also missed the storm that supposed to pass through New Mexico this week. I don’t know if it’s effecting Arizona. Happy to hear you made it safely to Phoenix .

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    1. Fortunately, we enjoyed perfect driving weather. Our longest day was from Tucumcari to Flagstaff.😐

      The forecast is for snow down to 5,000 feet but so far it’s still blue skies (we just came back from Prescott). So we’ll see what the weather does but it’s staying in the 60’s here in Phx. Hey, do you still have your motorhome?

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  32. Good to hear you had a safe journey! Your photos are exceptional – as always!
    Looking forward to our trip south in January – driving if the border opens, flying if it doesn’t! I’m sure you can appreciate the journey snowbirds make that time of the year – especially those pulling RV’s. Talk about watching for weather windows!

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    1. Thank you Margy. Oh, I hear ya on the weather window. In June, while driving to northern Wisconsin, we were outrunning spring storms and keeping a close eye on the weather radar. It was a rather stressful 1,900 miles. This time, we were able to slow down a tad and not be as concerned. Glad to hear you’ll be returning to the valley and escaping the worst of the Canadian winter. Let me know if you’d like to connect for a photo outing … perhaps at the Botanical Garden?

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    1. Thank you Donna and I’m sure glad we left when we did. Not only would we have encountered snow on the property but inclement weather along the drive. As it was, we lucked out with perfect traveling weather.

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  36. I was already insanely jealous of your glorious fall foliage (injury notwithstanding) when I got to the part where you were sharing it with family Ingrid. Now I’m even more jealous than I was before! Your images are truly gorgeous and remind me of the northeastern autumn leaves we used to so love. I like to think our pink and purple sweetgrass are a nice alternative but truth be told there’s nothing quite like autumn in colder climates. Of course, that means winter is close behind so I’ll content myself that we’re avoiding that down here in the south!

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    1. Yes, we spent four months on private property with Al’s sister and her husband. Great time! This was our second year doing so, but this time we stayed into October. By us having the RV, it allows all of us some privacy and we try not to intrude or overstay our welcome. Fortunately, none of us were ready for the season to be over, but with impending snow, we knew it was time to leave.
      I hear ya on missing the fall foliage in the north, but there’s always beauty to be found.

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  37. I’m glad you and Al made it home safely, Ingrid! It WAS a treat for you to be in your happy place all summer. Your photos are striking! Still no sign of all here in Sacramento, but I got a great dose of Fall while driving through Oregon and into Spokane. We drove back home hours before Spokane and Idaho got hit by a major winter storm. The most snowfall in October in history. Yay…just in time for us to move there. Do we leave a wake of snow where we go? LOL! Anyway, I had to sympathize with your walk through the leaves (cool shot, BTW) and the random twig that got ya! Oh the things we endure for a photo op!

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    1. Haha … yes, the things we won’t do for a photo. So glad you guys made it back and didn’t encounter that storm. We were fortunate to have had near-perfect weather for our return trip to Phx. Had we waited even a few days, we wouldn’t have been so lucky. The early snow (and amount) were unusual for WI as well. 2020 has been a doozy of a year on so many levels!

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  39. So many beautiful photos, Ingrid! I’m glad you guys escaped the nasty white stuff. Long jean pants may have stopped that pesky branch from getting you, ouch!

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    1. Yeah, I should probably wear a sturdier pant, but I live in yoga pants 😏 We are definitely glad we beat the weather. Four days after we left, the winds stripped the trees of their leaves followed by a snowstorm. Dodged that storm!

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  40. Wow, Ingrid! You really got some great shots of the fall colors! We are likely to see you sometime during the first week of 2021! Good Lord willing, and the creek don’t rise. That’s what my folks used to say!

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  41. A splendid treat, Ingrid! And well timed as you say! Wonderful colours and lovely memories of your “homecoming”. Glad you did not get stuck in the snow – well planned!

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    1. We are grateful we managed to avoid that storm and are happy to be settled in our winter location. We had a wonderful summer and fall and now it’s on to all things desert related. 🌵

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    1. Thank you Jana. I think you’d enjoy a lovely display of fall colors in northern Michigan and Wisconsin during September. They say it rivals the northeast. Let me know if I can offer any suggestions.

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