Cosmic Photo Challenge

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” William Cullen Bryant

Dale and Klee’s Cosmic Photo Challenge — oh, how I’ve missed you! Nature is just beginning to anticipate her chance to rest and recuperate from months of riotous revels reaching up to life-giving sun. To help her celebrate, Dale decided this week’s theme is The Trees. You can see Dale’s entries there, K’lee’s entries here, and how to play along on both sites.

Living in southern California, we see little of the deciduous glory so much of the world experiences. But we do have the liquid amber (Liquidambar styraciflua), commonly called the American sweetgum.

May I present, A Bit of Autumn in San Diego.

#51a* of 104 More – Version 2
Liquid Amber, Autumn in San Diego

 

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Liquid Amber, Autumn in San Diego

 

#51b* of 104 More – Version 2
Liquid Amber Gum Ball, Autumn in San Diego

 

Version 2
Not a liquid amber leaf, but glorious nonetheless.

#CosPhoChal

Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story...

31 thoughts on “Cosmic Photo Challenge”

  2. I’m from much further north than you and I’ve never heard of a Liquid Amber or a Sweetgum. The photo of that gumball is really interesting. Does the tree get covered in these balls? To me it looks like a Christmas decoration 🙂

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    1. Not covered, but scattered. You’re right, they do look like Christmas decorations. They become quite spiky when they dry out. The Liquid Amber is a lovely tree, usually teardrop shaped. The city often plants them in the grassy islands that divide different directions of traffic on major boulevards. I believe there are hardier varieties that do well in northern California (about 1,000 miles north of here), but ours don’t do well in frosty temperatures.

      Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts, Joanne!

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    1. Thank you, Hugh. Winter here us mild enough that I’m not sure any of the locals mind until we get a couple days of much-needed rain; then they complain. But Autumn has always been my favorite season.

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        1. That’s an interesting question. I don’t know. I’ve never actually seen any of the “gum”. Sap doesn’t seem to run from them when they’re whole and healthy, and I’ve never seen one that’s been cut.

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