Autumn And A Starlight Hare

Autumn always seems more peaceful somehow? Is it because things are winding down, giving in, getting tired, in preparation for winters first touch of icy fingers? Things shine brighter in Autumn. Berries, dew covered apples, colours of changing leaves, there is more contrast. The skies seem bluer than blue against the blood red of the hawthorn berries. Behind that peaceful exterior though is a busyness.  Harvesting and storing quickly before the last of the runner beans wither, toughen and dry up. Before we hear the weatherman on our radios and televisions announce that temperatures will drop to a ground frost, while Jupiter shines in the fading years sky.

 I hear the slow ticking of Mother nature's clock, steady like a heart beat.
 Creatures stock up and indulge in extra sunny days before the big sleep.

Preparing and looking for possible places to spend those long cold months.

A spiders web, a lace curtain in fairyland,

catching the mornings sunlight sparkles.

 Darkness comes early now. Time to restock the log pile, ring the chimmney sweep, light the candles, incense and buy those new slippers you've had your eye on.
For some it will be their very first taste of Autumn. A first taste of blackberries and first sharp smell of cold and frost in the air.  

 As you may have guessed, these are the baby chicks with their Mum behind, that hatched a few weeks back.

If only we could all look at things as if we had never seen them before. As if it were our first Autumn. Maybe then we wouldn't take things for granted and would appreciate the small things that we have right in front of us?
I put the finishing touches to the painting I had on the easel this week. This picture has been in my head for a long time and has waited patiently for it's turn to come out.  The Starlight Hare is an acrylic painting on wood panel and is available as a print in my Etsy shop here...