Michaelmas daisies (Aster amellus) in the herbaceous borders of Bute Park, Cardiff
At university we used to call this the Michaelmas term, so I thought it appropriate to start with an image of Michaelmas daisies. Although I hadn’t realised that Michaelmas, a quarter day of the financial year, is on September 29. I never thought about it before.
I have walked into the city centre along the River Taff a couple of times over the last few weeks, including just after Storm Aileen (which I completely slept through in the early hours of the morning of September 13), so I thought I would share some seasonal snapshots.
Chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum) in Llandaff Fields, Cardiff, showing some fallen branches after Storm Aileen two nights earlier
It’s conker time
Fallen branches in Lime Tree Avenue, beside Pontcanna Fields…
…already chopped into logs
Looking back at Lime Tree Avenue on the left of the playing fields
A mute swan (Cygnus olor) stretching on the riverbank
A grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) on stones in the middle of the river (much zoomed)
Beside the River Taff, heading towards Cardiff city centre
Willow
Wind in the willow
Hawthorn berries (Crataegus monogyna)
Elsewhere the hawthorn leaves are turning to autumn shades
Sycamore leaf (Acer pseudoplatanus) with fungal tar spot (Rhytisma acerinum) – which is supposed to be a sign of clean air
On the riverside path beside the Swalec Stadium cricket ground was a storm-damaged ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior)
That’s some rip…
…the other end of the tear…
…and chopped branches
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) on a fence…
…attractive bindweed leaves
Nearing the city centre and the Millennium Stadium, with Bute Park on the left
Cosmos in the herbaceous borders of Bute Park
Damaged Hosta leaves
Raindrops on columbine (Aquilegia) leaves
Sweet chestnut – but not an ordinary Castanea sativa – in Bute Park, probably a cultivar?
One of my favourites – tulip poplar tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Bute Park is famous for its London plane trees (Platanus × acerifolia or Platanus x hispanica) – the leaves will be glorious in mid autumn
Finally a couple of snaps from my own garden…
The kaffir lily (Hesperantha coccinea) always takes me by surprise at this time of year
Fuchsia…
…buds of a more slender fuchsia
After taking a break the Nasturtiums are back for a second burst of colour
The Squirrelbasket 
I expect that a Squirrel will get the chestnuts before you have a chance.
I have enjoyed seeing the diversity of trees there, thank you.
My pleasure.
Have a great autumn yourself, too 🙂
I’m also a fan of Liriodendron, specifically the leaves. The shape is a bit unusual, also more graceful somehow. Unfortunately they don’t grow in the western US (in the wild anyway); I’ve only seen them online.
They are quite common in parks here – I still always call them “saddle-leaf trees” because I first identified one by its leaf in my teens and didn’t see the distinctive tulip flowers until decades later.
I see from Wikipedia that it is indeed an Eastern state native – and the state tree of Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee – a good choice 🙂
I believe Michaelmas Day was traditionally rent day for farmers and tenants on estates. Your fuchsias are flowering well, I am disappointed with mine this year.
Yes, I think that’s probably what the “quarter days” were all about, but all we have left now is their names.
I can claim no credit for my fuchsias – they are neglected but very robust!
All the best 🙂
Lovely views of September from Wales apart from that poor ash tree. Sarah x
Thanks – the man with the chainsaw is coming tomorrow to assess the damage (financially)…
Best wishes 🙂