First Frost

We have had our first hard frost.

It was as if a key had been turned and a seasonal door unlocked. Our huge black walnut dropped all its leaves in the space of a single morning. Standing underneath its limbs was like being in a golden rain shower.

By noon everything was covered in a blanket of leaves. My rake and I have our work cut out for us now!

The frost carried off the marigolds in the vegetable garden and left the orange Calendula in the front garden looking downright pitiful.

Many of the hosta have turned golden and translucent in the cold.

I love the way frost crusts tiny flowers. (Spirea)

It seems overnight mu hydrangeas went from rose to tan.

I think that frost makes all the seedpods more magical.

My Japanese Maple has turned a pretty shade of orange.

Red berries and frost crystals glow in the morning sun.

Even as the garden heads into its winter slumber, there is still beauty to be found.

I am also going to link to Lisa Gordon's The Creative Exchange. There are always amazing photographs to be found at the Creative Exchange, so check them out by clicking the link.