Nature Notes and Signs of the Season - Pumpkins, berries, leaves and such

I have been driving past the pumpkin patch below for the past week or so, and finally managed to get caught at a stop light at the right time to catch a shot.

This may be the first year in my life that I don't get a pumpkin and carve it for Halloween. Then again, I still have a few days so maybe I'll change my mind.

The berries above are amongst my favorite signs of fall in my garden but I keep forgetting the name of the bush/vine they are on. I say bush/vine because I have it growing against my deck wall like it's a vine but it's actually a bush.

Holly berries always make me think of Christmas although I noticed this year they were one of the earlier berries of fall to start turning red.

The crepe myrtle leaves are already dropping on the ground to form their beautiful carpet. I tend to think of the crepe myrtle as being especially beautiful when it's blooming in the summer and forget what lovely leaves it has in the fall.

My oak trees are still slowly changing colors. More green than orange and red leaves. I kind of like the way they are slow with the autumn color because it spreads out the display.

The cardinal is starting to blend in better when he's in the trees. In the summer I look up and think the male cardinal is a flower, in the fall I sometimes think he's a leaf.

For other participants of one or both of these themes, please visit the home of nature notes and signs of the season.

Update: Thanks to Stine for telling me the name of my vine with the two tone berries is bittersweet.