Low sun highlights the colours and textures of autumn leaves, berries and seed heads.

 

Apple trees aren’t famous for their autumn colour but some varieties have leaves that briefly flush red before they fall. The leathery leaves have a slight shine as if well polished.

 

The blackthorn bushes have already lost their leaves but the sunlit lichen gives a deceptive hint of spring green.  The tough, weatherproof lichen has a rather rubbery texture.  Here a yellow leaf from a neighbouring field maple has caught on one of the blackthorn’s fierce spines.

 

There’s still some fresh green foliage in the garden.  In case any passing herbivore is tempted to sample it, this thistle is well defended with stiff spines.

 

Thistles aren’t welcome in the more cultivated parts of the garden but up on the hill they’re left to grow and seed freely, offering winter food to passing goldfinches.

 

Teasel seed is a favourite with goldfinches too.  Do finches have particularly tough feet, or are they so light that they can perch on the prickly teasel heads without damage?  This teasel has caught on an old foxglove stem, offering a more comfortable perch for a seed-eating bird.

 

The blackbirds have already finished the berries on the rowan tree but these, temptingly shiny, red berries are still hanging on to the leafless twigs of guelder rose.  It’s only a young bush so maybe the twigs are too slender for the blackbirds to perch on.

Jude’s theme for the Lens-Artists Challenge #226 is Textures.

Click twice on any image for a close up view.