festival of leaves – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

When Autumn Fades to Brown: Scenes From Southern Finland

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

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

Quiet Autumn Beauty

Captures from Finland, Nature, Photography

Finding these little gems of color and detail is a joy, and there’s no need to go any farther than the front door—just step outside, wander through the yard, and let your eyes linger on the quiet corners where beauty has been hiding all along. I think this is a buckthorn leaf, whatever it is the colors are lovely,

A vibrant autumn leaf shifts from golden yellow to warm crimson against a softly blurred green background.

A vibrant autumn leaf hangs among green foliage, glowing against a softly blurred woodland background.

Sunlit green and autumn leaves glow with warm golden color in a softly blurred natural setting. I like the shadow that falls on the green leaf.

For Dawn’s Festival of Leaves Week 1

Capturing Seasonal Colors: Autumn

Captures from Finland, Flowers

As Autumn approaches in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring arrives in the Southern, it is the perfect time to celebrate fresh blossoms and new foliage—and I am here to capture them in photographs.

nature in September-22 — Delicate dried wildflower umbels glow in warm sunlight against a softly blurred green and golden woodland background.

Participating TheFlowerHour#49

Still Water

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

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.

nature in September-20 — A tranquil autumn lakeshore reflects golden birch trees, evergreen pines, and a bright red fishing float in still water.

Festival of Leaves

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

October day

Captures from Finland, Nature, Photography

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

Autumn’s small wonders

Captures from Finland, Nature, Photography

This week I am sharing close-ups of autumn’s small beautiful details that often go unnoticed. Last night, we experienced a significant drop in temperatures, going below 0°C / 32°F, and the frost was there to greet us like a delicate blanket, sparkling in the early morning light. If I’d I walked outside, I could have heard the crunch of frost beneath my feet and the crisp air filling my lungs, a reminder that we are officially heading towards the colder days and into November. It was cold I didn’t , maybe tomorrow I’ll do it, just to take few photos.

Close-up of dew-covered leaves glistening in sunlight, highlighting the intricate web of nature.

Sharing these with Dawn’s Festival of leaves #4:

Close-up of autumn ferns showcasing vibrant orange hues against a backdrop of green foliage.

Autumn’s Beauty by the Lake

Captures from Finland, Photography

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

Nature’s Colorful Transformation

Captures from Finland, Nature, Photography

Dawn of ‘The Day After’ is once again celebrating the autumn season in the northern hemisphere and would love you to share what autumn is like in your part of the world.

Festival of leaves… I took these today September 26th

Leaves are scattered on the ground in shades of yellow and brown, making a soft, colorful carpet that crunches when you step on it. The tree still hangs on to a bit of green in its leaves, a little nod to the summer that just zoomed by. The wind tosses them around, sending some whispers through the air, while the sun shines warmly on the scene, giving those fallen leaves a golden glow that sways gently in the light.