The joy of imperfection

 

a mixed hedge on the housing estate
© Teresa Newham

November is a wabi sabi time of year in this part of the world.  Much of nature is in a state of decay, and in many ways all the more interesting because of that; there's far more to see in the hedgerows now, for example, than in summer when everything is lush and green.

the last of the leaves
© Teresa Newham

It's been a mild, wet Autumn. A few leaves are still clinging gamely to the deciduous trees and shrubs in the gardens and fields, making bright patterns when they fall. The Tudors used to refer to Autumn as "fall", and the Pilgrim Fathers took the word to the New World, where it's still used to this day.

berries, gone over
© Teresa Newham

The birds have had the best of the berries but there are still plenty to be seen. Many are shrivelled and well past their prime, and definitely fall into the category of wabi sabi.  I wouldn't fancy eating them . . . 

a tree in the fading light
© Teresa Newham

The nights are drawing in so the sun is quite low in the sky when I take my afternoon walks.  There is a compelling quality to the light, as though the countryside is slowly putting itself to bed for the winter.

something not growing on a wall
© Teresa Newham

Before I get too maudlin, I remind myself that everything has to die back in order to come alive again.  Winter is approaching, but Spring will follow!

beauty in decay
© Teresa Newham