Signs of autumn ... and a fall

A series of rather loud and unsettling noises -- just ask my cats -- prompted me to head outside early Tuesday evening. And what to my wondering eyes should appear but a hot-air balloon! There, in the field next to my home, a balloon was hovering close to the ground.

It was attempting to take off again, firing up the burners and sending flames shooting to heat the air in the balloon.

But, as you see in the photo below, the attempts just weren't good enough. And the balloon keeled over, sinking to the ground.
A bit of a different sign of "fall."

Earlier in the afternoon, I had been out in the garden, taking a few photos of the remnants of a blooming summer. And some of the flowers still are looking pretty good. And there also were other notables, such as SPIDER MAN!

 SHADOW PLAY...

STRIKING BEAUTY.... 

A RECLINER...

MORE BLOOMIN' BEAUTY

AND A WEATHER PROGNOSTICATOR...

YEP, LOVING AUTUMN!