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Appreciating the Flora of Fall

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Even in the buff-colored, high desert of Nevada, neighborhood trees and shrubs are sporting their autumn finery.

pampas grass and yellow leaves in high desert

During most mornings these past weeks, Shawn and I have pounded the pavement for three-mile walks up into the surrounding hills. Aiming to achieve a cardio workout, I’ve typically refrained from bringing my trusty camera along (an accessory for which I’m often teased; some joke that it’s an extension of my body). With the oak and maple leaves, trailing ivy and rabbitbrush reaching their peak fall hues in the past days, however, I could not resist the temptation to indulge my shutterbug passion any longer.

Enter what my husband playfully calls ‘irregular walking,’ (walk, stop, snap, repeat) and these images that celebrate this glorious autumn.

autumn leaves collage reno nevada
red and yellow fall leaves high desert reno nevada
pampas grass, desert rose in high desert
rabbit brush in reno nevada hills
leaves autumn reno blue sky nevada
yellow leaves reno nevada high desert
red leaves in reno nevada autumn
autumn colors in reno nevada
autumn leaves in the high desert
yellow leaves and rabbit brush in high desert

Some of my favorite ways to usher in autumn’s arrival are home-cooked pumpkin soup, warm woolen scarves I’ve picked up on my travels, and picking out the perfect pumpkin to carve and enjoy. What are yours?

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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51 responses to “Appreciating the Flora of Fall”

  1. rigmover Avatar
    rigmover

    Awesome set, how’s the workout going?

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      It’s going well, Mark — a mix of yoga & walks. With your line of work do you get much of a chance to work out?

      1. rigmover Avatar
        rigmover

        Yes, most rigs have good gym’s onboard, it’s weather I get to use them though.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      I was just now enjoying your autumn image; hope you’re enjoying this lovely season in your part of the world too. :)

  2. Anita Mac Avatar

    It can be challenging to get a descent cardio workout with a camera – but your photos are well worth the stop, shoot and continue approach. Love your work.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Thanks, Anita. I’ll have to let my husband know I have dear readers who appreciate the photos too, making the irregular walking worthwhile. :) Just kidding – he has great patience indulging my shutterbug ways and loves that the photos act as a journal of sorts from our travels.

      Have you returned home from the Camino yet? How many miles/km did you walk in all?

  3. Gunta Avatar

    That’s my rhythm… walk, stop, snap, repeat. I love that! Just look at what you have to show for it!

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      With Mother Nature’s help, of course. :)
      Hope you’re having a lovely weekend, Gunta!

      1. Gunta Avatar

        Looks like we dodged the tsunami. Hoping the East Coast comes through the hurricane as easily.

      2. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

        Gunta, I’m catching your message a bit late, but I’m happy that the East Coast is recovering and that the storm is not as bad as it could have been. Growing up in the Midwest, it’s easy to underestimate Mother Nature’s power – particularly in the coastal areas!

  4. restlessjo Avatar

    So glorious but so short lived most years, Tricia. Before we know it the Winter woollies are out. Beautiful captures to remind you.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Very true, Jo! I grew up in the Midwestern US, where autumns are often short. That’s why it’s been such a joy experiencing more of an ‘Indian Summer’ this year, in the high desert of Nevada. In what part of the world are you now?

      1. restlessjo Avatar

        At home in the UK, where I am for most of the year, Tricia. Wet outside tonight so I’m left with a bowl full of sweets for the trick or treaters who didn’t show.

      2. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

        I’m sorry to hear it was a gloomy Halloween on your side of the Atlantic, Jo. Here it’s a bit grey, chilly and windy too. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing the Halloween festivities in the US tonight – my first time in 11 years. :)

        I’m not sure why I thought you lived in Portugal or Spain part of the year?

      3. restlessjo Avatar

        The Algarve whenever we can. I have a home there, but “real life” is here. Happy Halloween, Tricia.

      4. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

        Thank you for the Halloween wishes, Jo!

        In what part of the UK do you call home? (A branch of my family came from Yorkshire, to the US, in the 1800s.)

      5. restlessjo Avatar

        Sorry, I went offline earlyish last night. I’m on the north-east coast in Hartlepool. It’s just north of the Yorkshire border and much of my walking,etc is done there. If you have time to look in my Home page there are some Yorkshire related posts. Small world, isn’t it?

  5. Sid Dunnebacke Avatar
    Sid Dunnebacke

    Okay, so it’s not much for exercise, but I sure appreciate you hauling the camera around. The photo of the pampas grass (I’m taking your word for it) is stunning, Tricia, even among so many beautiful images.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Sid, I was pleased that my in-laws know so many of the names of the unique flora here in the high desert. I was taking their word for it as well with that name, but it seemed to match my internet research. :)

      Thanks as always, Sid, for your kind comments and support!

  6. travelerlynne Avatar

    I love the fall colors, but it is a signal for what is to come…winter…not my favorite time of the year.I don’t blame you for taking the camera. You can say you exercised your arms.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      I like that, Lynne. :)

      Ah, I know what you mean about fall’s return. A year ago, we were preparing for our Southeast Asian trip which allowed us to escape winter. Even though we’re going to a beautiful place (Germany) next week, I am not looking forward to the chilly temps and grey skies. I forgot in which state you and Ron call home?

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Thank you very much, Hitesh.

  7. malna Avatar
    malna

    hi Tricia! I have nominated you to the beautiful blogger award, I hope you will accept the nomination :-) Your blog is really beautiful! I love your autumnphotos!! Take care / malin Take a look here: http://frankfurtmalin.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/beautiful-blogger-award/

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Malin, what a really wonderful honor- I’m flattered! Thank you so much, Malna, for recognizing my work. It’s been such a pleasure to connect with you. :)

      1. malna Avatar
        malna

        you are so welcome!! It’s well deserved :-)

  8. Photographs by Peter Knight Avatar

    Great set beautifully presented – lovely!! :)

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      What a great compliment – many thanks to you, Peter!

  9. marinachetner Avatar

    lovely images here Tricia! Fall is just such a beauty to photograph. My husband has the same issue with my irregular walking ;) Glad I am not alone in this!

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Marina, I was just joking to Rachael on this same post that all parties involved should unite and form some support groups. :)

      How fun for you that you get to enjoy the changing colors during your cross-country adventure!

  10. love.antoinette Avatar

    Trish, the vivid fall colors and your photos are amazing! In the northeast, the colors were just beginning to change right when I left for South America. At one point I used to be teased by my friends as well about the camera and those “irregular” walkings or jogs that I tend to do at times. It’s more fun that way, I must say :) I just got the iPhone5 and its high-quality camera is my new obsession!

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Antoinette, I’m probably the only American without an iPhone, but I have heard that it takes quite wonderful images. My mother-in-law just got one, and I’ve been impressed what she and my father-in-law have snapped. Perhaps at some point, I’ll have to trade in my bulky camera for something a bit more lightweight. :)

      Thanks for your kind comment… and, for how long will be in South America?

  11. Rachael Avatar

    You know, I had lost track of your whereabouts and assumed you were back from the USA but I gather you’re in Nevada? I am very glad you took your camera along for these spectacular shots. I like the term “irregular walking” and may introduce it here as it is rather nicer than some of the epithets applied by my walking companions! ;)

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Rachael, Nevada has been our home-base this summer, though we did take a ‘business’ trip to San Francisco, and recreational ones to the Pacific Northwest and Napa. Those trips, in addition to our cross-continent drive to move my former car from coast-to-coast earlier this summer. I’m dreadfully behind in sharing our travel tales. :) We fly back to Europe next week.

      It seems that the term, ‘irregular walking’ is resonating with a great number of the female readers. Perhaps we – and our significant others – could form support groups? :)

  12. Travelbunny Avatar

    Just gorgeous – thank you :)

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Suzanne, thank you! You’re such a globetrotter- in what part of the world are you enjoying autumn?

      1. Travelbunny Avatar

        I’m working in Tenerife for 10 days and right now they’ve having the first rain in over a year – it’s been pouring!

  13. petit4chocolatier Avatar
    petit4chocolatier

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      And the beautiful leaves are still very much intact here in Nevada! I forgot which corner of the U.S. you call home, Judy?

      1. petit4chocolatier Avatar
        petit4chocolatier

        I grew up and previously lived near the Adirondacks and Letchworth State Park in New York State. I live and work in Clearwater, Florida now. Miss the northeast!

  14. Anyes - Far Away in the Sunshine Avatar

    The colour scheme I love…Your photographs are calling my name and I want to go where you took them. Thank you Trish :-)

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Anyes, I suppose “l’herbe est toujours plus verte…” :) but I have heard Vancouver is so beautiful! We had hoped to explore your neck of the woods during our recent Pacific Northwest adventures, alas, we ran out of time.

      You’re right, though – the high desert’s sunshine makes for beautiful lighting for photography. Soon, we’re headed for Germany, which is of course quite grey this time of year. So, I’m trying to soak up as much sunshine as I can now. :)

      1. Anyes - Far Away in the Sunshine Avatar

        Enjoy the rays while you can. You are right Germany can be quite grey, I lived there for a year back in the mid-80’s. I am looking forward to your photographs, Tricia :-)

  15. Madhu Avatar

    Gorgeous photos and colours Tricia!

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Amazingly, the lovely leaves are still holding on. Growing up in the Midwestern U.S. and Germany, I’m not accustomed to such a long summer-like autumn. :)

  16. remy Avatar

    I know everyone goes on about Summer being the best season for obvious reasons but Autumn is my favourite by far. I love the colours on the trees and the smell in the air as things start to get colder and the crisp blue skies. Beautiful chance for photos as you have proved with yours.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Many thanks, Remy! Here’s hoping you’re finding just as much beauty in winter as you did during autumn.

  17. […] water; this one from Hunting For Bliss for an explosion of colours, leaves, and a cute dog; and this one from Tricia A. Mitchell for breathtaking shots. I can’t resist the pleasure of adding my own […]

  18. Rachael Avatar

    What a deliciously colourful celebration of this most photogenic of seasons. I am sorry I lost touch for a while. For some reason I stopped getting emails for your blog. I have changed my settings now.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Greetings Rachael, so glad to hear you’re back on board! I must confess that we’ve been tied up unpacking boxes these past weeks. I’m looking forward to catching up on your lovely photographs shortly. Is the UK being inundated with snow too? It’s quite the winter wonderland here in the Alps!