Festival of bare branches

Captures from Finland, Flowers

It is one day away from November, the grayest month of the year. This plan has not many leaves left, only few bright colored berries.

What we have to look forward to: November really feels ( it is, not just feels like ) like the gloomiest month, especially down south, where the thick clouds block out the sun. You can expect a mix of rain, frost, and sometimes a little light snow, with temps hanging around 0°C (32°F), usually between 1–4°C (34–39°F) during the day and dropping below freezing at night. The days get shorter, going from about eight hours of daylight at the start to six or even less by the end of the month. Plus, November tends to be super wet, filled with rainy days and overcast skies, and you might find some icy, slushy spots, although you can’t count on snow sticking around just yet.

It might be best to take this advice to heart: layering up is a must—think warm, waterproof jackets, thermal base layers, hats, gloves, and waterproof boots to tackle the cold and damp.

Close-up of colorful berries on a bare branch, showcasing the vibrant contrasts of late fall. Now we can cross over October 😀

Festival of Leaves #6

22 thoughts on “Festival of bare branches”

  1. That first image is cool. Well they all are but I particularly like that one. What lens do you use to get that bokeh in the last image?

  2. What a beautifully observed and poignant description. You’ve managed to find a stark, quiet beauty in the very heart of the gloom. There’s a kind of poetry in the honesty of it all.

    The image of the nearly bare plan with its “few bright colored berries” is perfect. It’s a reminder that even as the world quiets down and turns gray, there are still small, vibrant gifts to be found if we know where to look.

    And your advice is perfect, too. Preparing for the weather isn’t just practical; it’s a form of self-care and resilience. Bundling up against the cold and damp is how we can walk comfortably through that stark November landscape and appreciate its raw, quiet majesty.

    Thank you for this thoughtful and grounding reflection. It’s a wonderful reminder to look for the berries, to layer up, and to find our own warmth and light as the days grow shorter.

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