Saturday 29 October 2011

Squirrel and autumn leaves

We went for a lovely walk today through Inverleith Park

and round the Botanic Gardens.


Wonderful autumn colours and unexpectedly lovely weather (it had been grey and damp first thing and we had expected it to stay that way!) (The leaves here are from an ornamental species of beech tree).




We made friends with this delightful grey squirrel. Yes they're an alien species and outcompete the native reds, but in areas where reds haven't lived for ages and are unlikely to ever come back, it's lovely to see the greys.





We had a snack at a picnic table at the Botanics Cafe. Given that it's Feed the Birds Day today, it is perhaps fitting that robins and dunnocks were feeding off the crumbs under the tables. The herring gulls and magpies fighting over leftovers were entertaining too, though less welcome!




23 comments:

robin. said...

the beech leaves are a wonderful shape...happy grey squirrel made for a nice backdrop for your shadow shot.

colleen said...

I love the way the tree trunk almost looks like the feet of an ancient dragon.

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful shadow shots for the day! I, too, love the tree trunk and what a happy little squirrel!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Sylvia

Ralph said...

The autumn offers what is the perfect sight - a yellow and orange carpet on the forest floor. The squirrel, of which am a small fan of, is winsome and accepting of the photographer. Cute is the operative word!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

The squirrel almost seems to enjoy your company!

SHADOW SHOW

Shadows creeping through the land,
Shadows dark on every hand—
If they should begin to glow,
You had better run, you know!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Shadows here and here

eileeninmd said...

What a pretty sky, I love the trees. Looks like a pretty place for a walk. Wonderful photos.

My name is Riet said...

Many shadows here. Great shots

Catherine said...

a lovely evocation of Autumn...

Kay L. Davies said...

Great to get nice weather when you don't expect it, Juliet.
Beautiful sky in the first shot, and the second photo looks like a tree posing as an elephant's feet!
In my home province of British Columbia we hear the same thing about non-native squirrels. "Don't encourage them, don't even say they're cute." Well, if I think they're cute, I'll say so. I'm sure that doesn't encourage proliferation.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

genie said...

I know you are going to think I am nutty as a fruitcake, but when I saw your second shot I thought of an elephant’s feet... I kid you not. That means you took one great shot to enlist that kind of fantasy out of this old gal. I love all of the series, but this one has to be my favorite. genie

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love the feather touch in the golden leaves! And the little grey squirrel is simply adorable!

Oh said...

Great scope and detail on these pictures. A treat!

PS Just did a biz trip to Canada; first time EVER that I had a recycle bin in my hotel room. Onward!

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a real squirrel, so alien or not, he or she is gorgeous.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Isn't it great when the weather offers a pleasant surprise. The scene is so lush with color.

genie said...

I forgot to mention this....but do you know of anyone who would like to swap homes/flats/apt in Edinburgh for a 2 story farmhouse in the mountains of VA. I have MANY FFMiles on BA, and if I do not use them soon I will be too darn old to make that long flight across the pond. I have visited there so many times, but would love one last trip up on Arthur’s Seat and Rose Street. I play fiddle and adore your part of the world...even the hagus. It is the best of all. The Interntional Festival is to die for...am always thinking about the parade... and the Tattoo is so festive to watch. Just thought I would mention it. Keep your ears open, and if you hear of anything let me know. My email is listed with mu profile. Thanks for the visit...I just caught it. Happy Halloween...even if it is rainy and damp. genie

Lesley said...

Those yellow beech leaves have a nice ornamental shape to them.

HKatz said...

Beautiful photos, they really capture the feel of autumn. I love the gray feather on the orange-yellow leaves, and it's funny to me to consider how over there grey squirrels are alien (because here that's all we see!)

Eileen said...

What a beautiful set of photographs. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Carver said...

I love the way the leaves look on the ground. Beautiful shots. I also enjoy squirrels.

shoreacres said...

I don't think there's a squirrel in the world that can't make me smile. And the beech leaves are wonderful. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like them here!

Wonderful, wonderful autumn - my favorite season.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautifully captured!

My Shadow Post, have a great week ahead!

Christina said...

Its so pretty. Love the leaves.

Glo said...

Absolutely gorgeous shots! I think you have found autumn in her most glorious. The squirrel is happily right at home.