Red Oaks and Dead Oaks

The majority of the trees in Oakwood are Bur Oaks, but there are a few Red Oaks and Pin Oaks. The Bur Oaks don't color, the leaves just turn various hues of brown and fall off. And bury us. The Red Oaks can be quite beautiful, not the screaming oranges of maples, but softer colors. This one is on our north lot line. It too close to the street and eventually they'll cut it down I suppose. I'll enjoy while I can.

The Bartleson's up the street have a large dead Bur oak in their yard. It probably died from Oak Wilt. Wilt can take out a Red Oak in one year. The Bur Oaks are tougher. This one fought it off for ten years before it finally succumbed. Don't let the green the the picture below throw you. They are from the tree behind it. I know they will cut it down, but I can't help notice the evidence of the Pileated Woodpeckers, a great bird. At least they don't hammer and chisel away at the cedar shingles on my house the way the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers do.

Bumble Bees

Autumn has really started the garden winding down for the year.  It's  become messy with the weeds and dead leaves. There are fewer flowers now and the colors are more subtle. As I was walking through the garden and thinking about how the late weeds should be really be dealt with, I couldn't help but notice the bumble bees. They're all over the garden. I like bumble bees. They are never very aggressive, particularly when they are feeding, but these late season bees act like they're drunk. They loll about in the sun ,their job just about over. They will all die shortly, leaving only the new queen to overwinter and establish a new colony next Spring. Enjoy life while you can.