Mettänen Weekend: Misty Roads, First Frost and Starry Skies

For John’s CellPic Sunday I am posting photos from this weekend. We have had weather from rain to drizzle, to partly sunny moments, to morning frost. It should not be a surprise where these are taken; we named this place Mettänen (it means wooded) 31 years ago. Back then it had lots of trees on it, but it is a relatively small lot of land. Nowadays it has become much less wooded, but the name still describes it rather well. As you know if you have been reading my posts regularly, my grievance has been the tree we had to cut down; after this weekend only two big stumps from our birch trees remain. The branches went up in the smoke in the air someone was very busy.

The water puddles in the road gave really nice reflections, the morning mist and smoke added a nice touch to the scene, at least I thought so.

We did wake later this morning—it is Sunday—so most of the frost had begun to thaw, but there were still some to be found around ten in the morning. There is no escaping it, winter is coming in slow steps.

At Mettänen we had a really wonderful night sky last night, and I once again tested my iPhone’s capability to capture the stars. I am amazed by what it can do—the sky was so clear, the stars were sharp and bright, and the whole scene felt almost magical. The October night sky in all it’s glory.

When Autumn Fades to Brown: Scenes From Southern Finland

Autumn here seems to be slowly coming to an end—at least the bright, colorful part of it. Most of the leaves have already fallen, and many of those still left are turning a deep, quiet brown. Brown may be a more understated shade, but it is a color in its own right, and this season it feels almost unexpectedly fashionable—at least if you follow the fashion. And Tinka almost camouflages into the leaves.

We are as surprised as you, I’m sure. Our summer house yard, which used to be so pretty, is now just a memory. It looks sad and miserable – the tree stumps were pulled up by an excavator, and the small patch of grass and bilberry shrubs is gone. You can see where they ended up, right next to the branches that we need to make disappear…

I took a short walk around the lot to find some color for you on this cloudy day, but at least it’s not raining. I was even brave enough to venture out to the road leading to our neighbor’s house to get a few other views as well. So, fresh from my iPhone, this is what my autumn looks like today here in southern Finland. When you frame it nicely, it really doesn’t look too bad at all.

It is now 4pm and we now got the first sign of sunshine, don’t know how long it’s going to last so I am stepping outside for a moment, it makes such a difference. it only lasted for half a hour. Well anyways, this is linked to Dawn’s festival of leaves

Golden sunlight

Golden sunlight filters through an autumn woodland, illuminating a carpet of colorful fallen leaves that rustle softly underfoot, their reds, ambers, and golds glowing gently in the quiet, cool air. This is such a joy to have experienced, way back. I edited an old photo that glows because it has been dull, gray, and rainy all day.

Golden sunlight filters through an autumn woodland, illuminating a carpet of colorful fallen leaves.

October sky

I am impressed with the contrast of the dark sky and the bright light and the trees and colors of the leaves 🍂 🍁 and I only had to open the front door to see it🌥️

This is my view from my study
And looking at the steps leading to the parking lot
Still some leaves 🍂🍂🍃🍁left birch and maple trees

Autumn Mist Over the Meadow

Misty meadow of tall grasses at sunrise, with trees beneath a pastel sky
A misty meadow glows beneath a softly colored morning sky, with wild grasses stretching toward a tree-lined horizon.

Misty meadow, barely waking, Tall grasses breathe in ribbons of gold, cool air combs their seed-soft crowns. Fog drifts low, a quiet tide, folding the tree line into its pale pocket of green and embered amber. Morning light loosens from a pastel sky, rose and lavender sifting down— the whole field scented with leaf-soft autumn, with the hush of a season turning so gently you can almost miss it.

Wordless Wednesday

A tranquil autumn lake reflects golden forest trees, scattered rocks, and a bright red fishing float in the calm water.

Autumn Light on the Forest Path

I took these this morning, first sunny day in a week, it was so welcome sight. This path leads to my summer house, sharing them with Johns Cellpic Sunday

A sunlit autumn path winds through a colorful birch and evergreen forest.

Still Water 

I was on a quiet autumn lakeshore, hands stuffed in my pockets because the air’s a bit colder than I expected. The water is almost completely still, like it can’t decide whether to move or not. It looked so beautiful. Rocks and a wall of dark green pines wrap around the bay, and here and there the birch trees have turned this bright, gold that really stands out against the evergreens. The low sun is coming in from the side, turning parts of the lake into streaks of warm amber, but other patches just look flat and gray. The grasses along the edge have that same soft, rusty light in them. There’s a tiny red fishing float right in front of me, barely moving, and off to the left a small, plain dock sits there under a pale blue‑gray sky.

A tranquil autumn lakeshore reflects golden birch trees, evergreen pines, and a bright red fishing float in still water.

Festival of Leaves

A Quiet Autumn Window

I thought I’d share something from way back—about 10 years ago. I’ve been digging through old photos and half-forgotten projects, the kind that have been hiding on dusty hard drives and in random folders with names like “final_FINAL2.” It’s funny how a single picture can pull you right back into a moment: where you were, what the light felt like, even the mood of that day. Going through these old shots has been a mix of cringe, nostalgia, and a little bit of pride, and I figured it might be nice to bring a few of those memories back to life here.

I was walking past our neighbor’s place when this scene just stopped me in my tracks. The old, weathered wooden house is framed through a big tree trunk in the foreground so the whole view feels a bit hidden and layered, like you’re gently peeking into a quiet memory. In the middle window sits my namesake in her green top and glasses, beside a little table lamp and a potted plant, exactly as I remember her. All around the house, the autumn branches, dry grasses, and warm brown-orange leaves wrap the building in this soft, faded kind of beauty, and the sunlight throws strong shadows on the gray vertical siding. The whole moment feels tender and nostalgic—she’s no longer with us, but her presence lingers there, carried forward with love by her granddaughter who now calls this place home.

A quiet autumn scene shows a person working beside a lamp inside a weathered wooden home, partly framed by a large tree.

Poem

she used to sit there, lamp on, plant beside her, glasses catching light.

autumn doesn’t explain itself. it just turns things golden and lets them go.

For Ludwig’s Monday Window, hosted this week by PR.

Golden Light Through the Pines

A picturesque autumn scene visible from a window, showcasing tall pine trees standing majestically in the low late Autumn light, their trunks painted in warm hues of golden-brown and fading green. Below, are men by the water’s edge, as they enjoy the beauty of the season. The sun casts a soft, golden glow across the scene, illuminating the crisp air infused with the earthy scent of fallen leaves.

A view from a window showcasing pine trees in low late Autumn light and a people by the water’s edge.

Posted for NovemberShadows and Monday Window

October day

Dawn of ’The Day After’ is once again celebrating the autumn season in the northern hemisphere, we here in southern Finland are at this at the point where most of the leaves have fallen and today is cloudy and rainy. This today at 2PM

October 23rd

Gray and muggy

Lens-Artists Challenge #369 – Dreamy

This week Ann-Christine leads us with a Dreamy challenge.

She wrote:There are many possibilities hidden in Dreamy – maybe you are given to or indulging in daydreaming? You might even want to illustrate one of your own dreams? Now we are looking forward to Your interpretation of the theme Dreamy!


An abstract artwork capturing the vibrant hues of autumn and winter, reflecting nature’s stunning palette in a dreamy composition.

I do have to include at least one of my artwork, hope you like it! I have used tones suitable for the season and the ones used in this post, incorporating rich hues that reflect the vibrant energy of autumn and the gentle warmth of winter. My goal was to create a piece that resonates with the changing atmosphere, drawing inspiration from nature’s stunning palette. I truly believe that art has the power to connect us to the world around us and to evoke feelings that words often cannot express.

An autumn moment for dog walker in a misty landscape and vibrant fall foliage.

I envision these images encapsulating a tapestry of enchanting autumn scenes, where dew-kissed spider webs glisten in the soft embrace of morning light, serene reflections dance upon a still lake, and misty vistas are adorned with golden hay bales—a true homage to this magical season. It invites us to bask in the tranquil beauty of an autumn landscape, where the vibrant hues of falling leaves gently blanket the earth. As the renowned poet John Keats once said, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” In this spirit, I felt compelled to share these evocative images of the season, hoping you can lose yourselves in the quiet allure of nature’s transformation into winter, cherishing the ephemeral beauty that graces our surroundings.

A dreamy spider web adorned with morning dew, capturing the essence of nature’s delicate beauty.
A reflection of lush greenery on calm waters, embodying the dreamy essence of nature.
Misty landscape with hay bales in a green field, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
A close-up view of a moss-covered stump in a softly blurred forest setting, portraying the essence of nature’s tranquility.
A dreamy landscape featuring blurred reflections of trees and water, evoking a serene and mystical atmosphere.
An autumn landscape featuring golden foliage, a still lake, and a small boat, a view to nature’s beauty during the fall season.

I’ve taken pleasure in crafting my response this week and hope you find joy in it as well. Be sure to check out Ann-Christine’s stunning original post here for a deeper insight into her challenge, and don’t forget to link back to it in your reply. Remember to add the Lens-Artists Tag so your contribution shows up in our reader section.

Thanks to John and all who took part in last week’s Autumn reflection, the images were so colorful. Here in the northern region, we are witnessing the tail end of the season, which carries a sense of melancholy as strong winds send leaves tumbling down, painting a beautiful yet somber scene. Many trees stand bare, resembling elegant silhouettes against the dwindling light, reminding us of life’s cycles and the inevitability of change. I encourage you to join us next week as Sofia once again leads us through her breathtaking Photographias blog. In the meantime, let’s appreciate the beauty around us as we move into the coming months, and remember to keep smiling; it might just brighten someone else’s day.

Interested in joining our challenge? click here for more information.

Fallen

The essence of autumn is fallen leaves, no.

A patio blanketed with fallen leaves, that is the essence of autumn.

OneWord Sunday – Fallen

Autumn’s Beauty by the Lake

Autumn whispers softly by the lake,
Golden yellows merge with vibrant green,
Reeds, like brushstrokes, dance in the breeze,
Against the azure calm, a tranquil scene.

A serene autumn lake scene with vibrant foliage reflecting on the calm water.
Tranquil autumn day by the lake, with golden reeds and vibrant foliage reflecting on the calm water.
An autumn lakeside with vibrant yellows and greens contrasting against the blue sky.

For Dawn’s Festival of leaves

Lens-Artists Challenge #368—Looking Back to# 106: Autumn

Autumn is this weeks Lens-Artists ‘Looking Back’ Challenge, set by John. John’s original challenge post is here. In July 2020, the team launched a series called “Seasons.” Patti facilitated the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #106: Autumn here.

Autumn, fall, is a warm-colored season with cool temperatures, bringing a beautiful array of reds, oranges, and yellows as the leaves turn. The woods are full with edible mushrooms to pick and the more poisonous to photograph. It’s a time when nature begins to rest, preparing for the winter months ahead, and people also find themselves slowing down.. Slowly but surely, we are cozying inside our homes, wrapped in soft blankets while savoring warm drinks and apple pie. This season encourages us to stay inside, lighting the candles and fireplaces that create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The crisp air outside calls for strolls among the falling leaves, reminding us to appreciate the beauty of change.

To us, falling leaves and autumn symbolize the closing of the summer season; at our summer house, this transition means not only raking leaves but, in recent times, using a lawnmower to moan them into little bits and leaving them as nutrients for the earth to enrich the soil for the next year. My husband took on the ambitious task this summer of clearing so many trees that one entire corner of the yard , now has an entirely new look, revealing hidden patches of sunlight that we hadn’t seen in years, the wood area of our yard needed cutting and trimming of the trees, which has unfortunately left us with mounds of branches scattered around the property. As the days grow colder and the ground becomes wet, the branches are gathered and prepared for a controlled burn to take care of the debris; it took a whole day to accomplish this, but the effort was worth leaving behind a cleared space that feels refreshing and revitalized for the upcoming seasons. A days work and in the end you are left with area with white ash.

Big thanks to John for giving us a nudge to share our Autumn vibes We’d love for you to share your favorite autumn photos too. Just link to John’s original post here and don’t forget to use the Lens-Artists Tag so we can check out your take on the theme!

Last week, our guest host, Joanna Mason, inspired us with the theme “Everyone Should See This,” resulting in a plethora of unique images in response. Thank you Joanna! Next week, Ann-Christine will be hosting the Lens-Artists Challenge, so make sure to follow her blog here to catch the challenge she will announce on Saturday, October 11, at 12:00 pm. Eastern Time.

For more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here.

It’s officially over, until next year

Last look before we leave
Here we go

Linked to Six Word Saturday at Debbie’s here

So many fallen leaves 🍁
Maple Leafs

Autumn leaves 🍁

autumn 🍂

Can you sense the season changing?

Moment after the 🌧️ rain

Debbies Six Word Saturday


View to my backyard

FOTD – wood strawberry 🍂 Leaves

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

I took these today between the rain showers we have been having all day.


Autumn is here


Wild strawberry leaves

Autumn II

it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Autumn: a tapestry of vibrant hues and gentle transitions, where nature bids summer adieu and welcomes the season of reflection and harvest.

Lave view at Salajärvi
changing colors
LOW LIGHT
reeds in fall colors

Autumn

it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.

At Lake Ruuhijärvi

Autumn colors paint a breathtaking masterpiece on nature’s canvas. As the crisp air descends, the foliage transforms into a vibrant symphony of oranges, yellows, and reds. The once lush green leaves now burst with warmth and enchantment. Each tree becomes a glorious work of art, showcasing the beauty of transition. Take a moment to immerse yourself in this kaleidoscope of hues, as nature bids farewell to summer and welcomes the season of harvest and reflection.

clouds over the lake
Someone left a broken kicksled outside ready for the winter
Darker clouds started to gather to the sky

Posted for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge