As per the rules, this last challenge is supposed to be photos we have not posted before. Like Tina, many of my photos are plants and critters, from my back yard first, then other places. We are fortunate to have a yard with plants that turn gorgeous colors in Autumn, especially our Japanese Maple trees. This year, I tried something new, taking photos of all three trees every day from late October until the leaves started to fall in November. I have posted most of them already, but this is one that I have not posted yet.

I took this because the way the sun lighted up just the one little section made it look like the tree was two different shades of red. Funny what a bit of sunlight can do!

Below is another one that I took later in the month. This one shows two subjects, plant AND critter!

The leaves had started to drop off, but the Junco perched on top didn’t seem to notice. On the suet feeder is one of our Song Sparrows. In case you’re wondering what that white wire is, Hubby installed it as a “crow barrier” to stop the big crows in the neighborhood from hogging all the suet. It worked fine, and the little birds get it all now.

The pear tree in our front yard turns numerous colors all at once, making for a nice variety on the same tree.

Shades of brown, orange, red, and yellow all together. Even some green leaves remain.

On my trip down to Silver Lake, I saw plants, birds, and also people. You can see that the water lilies were turning color too.

And on the shore…Some “human interest”. What kid can resist a duck close up? This one didn’t!

Speaking of critters…

This is our Red-shafted Flicker, showing off those wing-bars. Taken through the window, since no way would he come around if I was outside. If he spots me at the window, he flies away.

Squirrel!! Our fence’s nickname is “Squirrel Highway”.

It wouldn’t be a “critter” section without our best critter, Kikyo the black cat. This shot shows her new white whiskers. At 15 years old, they are natural, and I like them!

OK, now I am going to cheat. Above are 2025 photos I had not posted yet. But in this entire year, there are a couple that I have already posted, but I am going to post again. I think these are two of the best photos I have ever taken. There is nothing I would change about either of them, and they make me so proud. Especially since they both were taken with my iPhone 15 Pro with no post-processing. In the dark, hand-held with no tripod other than my elbows on a concrete wall.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Here’s the Link to Tina’s Original Post.