Summer is very nearly over… yet it’s not quite autumn. It’s that ‘in between’ time, where the bright cheerful colors of summer wildflowers are now fading, the tall grasses are beginning to turn brown, and the rich yellows, oranges and reds of autumn have yet to appear.

‘In between’ seasons are often under-appreciated and overlooked. For those who dislike winter, the end of summer can be a depressing time with everything turning brown and no bright colors to catch our attention or heady floral fragrances to arouse our senses. Because of this, it might very easy to miss the unique beauty and wonder of this particular in-between season. Today, I invite you to take a closer look at the natural world around where you live. You may be surprised to discover that there is still so much going on right under your nose (and feet)…

The ‘fur’ on these hardworking bees collecting pollen on the summer’s last remaining flowers makes me want to pet them.

Once bright purple, these wildflowers (above) now have faded and their petals are starting to fall off. Looking closer, however, one can see the seeds forming in the centers, adding a new beauty and texture…

The first signs of ‘autumn yellow’ starting to appear on the leaves…
I love the shape and texture of this wood fungus growing on my mulch pile. It has taken a few months to grow this large…

Little explosions of softness soon to be released into the air…

A close up of a clover flower gone to seed… absolutely fascinating!

Teeny tiny puffball (with stink holes), growing in a soft bed of moss…

These shots of moss, lichen and fungi make me feel like I am living on another planet…(!!!)

Taking a closer look at nature when things appear to be slowing down, one can clearly see that there is still so many fascinating things going on around us. Why not spend a few moments today taking a closer look at the natural world around you? I am sure you will find that there is a whole world of beauty and wonder just waiting to be discovered.