Redefining Fall


Omala Valley, Kefalonia
Omala Valley, Kefalonia in late October
Autumn has a way of creeping up on you and breaking down your natural resistance to the inevitable invasion of winter. 
It not only bridges seasons, but emotions as well. 
Its crisp colors compensate for the falling and missing leaves, and its clear skies enable shapes, structures and reflections to become dominant in the landscape.

Much like redefining time and space...
Omala Valley, Kefalonia
St. Gerassimos bell tower at Omala, Kefalonia
Omala valley, Kefalonia
Omala Valley, Kefalonia
Omala valley, Kefalonia
Omala Valley, Kefalonia

Winding Down the Season

cruise ship, Argostoli Kefalonia
Cruise Ship "Armonia" docked in Argostoli, Kefalonia
Only a few more arrivals till mid November...
Cruise season is coming to an end...
Though an October cruise in the Mediterranean is a hit or miss situation
due to weather instability, Wednesday's passengers were luckier than most...
Bright sunshine, clear skies, perfect temperatures...
Only three days after that horrid storm...
October is such a fraud!
Cruise ship at Argostoli, Kefalonia
Vessels of all sizes on the calm waters of Argostoli Bay
Armonia Cruise Ship at Argostoli, Kefalonia

The Storm is Gone, I Can See October Clearly Now

After the storm, Kefalonia
Ambela Vrysi, Kefalonia
 
Running waters, Ambela Vrysi, Kefalonia
Kefalonia's October mood
The storm was frightening, the rain overwhelming, and the sight of mud flowing through every creek and crevice was shocking.

But the day after was bright, the colors more vibrant than ever, and the flowing water crystal clear—as if never violated by intruding materials and matter.  

Catharsis, I believe, it is called.

Cyclamen Galore

Fall colors of Kefalonia
Cyclamen: Colors of Kefalonia in Autumn
Just when the earthy, muted tones of October begin to get monotonous, a perky, vibrant color emerges here, there, everywhere.
It's cyclamen season!

I remember my fascination with cyclamen as a child.
Such a non-basic, unconventional color!
I recall collecting a bunch to present to my grandmother, only to be reprimanded by her—a look of absolute terror on her face as she watched me walk in with my gift in hand. 

Folklore had it that bringing cyclamen into the house would turn sour the new wine that was still fermenting in the basement. 
Unbelievable!

Ironically, now that grandma has long since passed away, and wine no longer ferments in the basement, I have no desire to cut cyclamen.

All I want to do, nowadays, is look and admire.
Cyclamen in bloom, Kefalonia
October's mixed signals: bright cyclamen among freshly fallen leaves

October Reflections

October in Kefalonia
October reflections
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯October⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf; 
One from our trees, one far away. 

⎯⎯⎯Robert Frost⎯⎯⎯
October in Kefalonia
Releasing leaves, one a time—as per the poet's wishes


Ambela Vrysi, Kefalonia 

Location Plus Time, Give or Take 45 Minutes


The phases and colors of an early October sunset.
Geography and a 45 min. span make all the difference!

October sunset, Kefalonia
Skala at sundown
 Photo above:  Skala Beach at 5:51 pm.
October sunset, Kefalonia
October sunset
Photo above: Leaving Skala and heading towards Ratzakli at 6:05 pm.
October sunset, Katelios Kefalonia
Sundown over Katelios
At 6:15 pm: As the sun has just set, the soft twilight colors that precede dusk, wrap Katelios in purple and violet ambience. True serenity. (photo above)
October sunset, Kefalonia
Kefalonia dressed in golden orange hues as twilight transitions to dusk

At 6:34 pm:  Roadside, over Sissia Monastery, overlooking Lourdas Bay and St. George's Fortress to the rear right. Orange rules! (photo above)
October sunset, Kefalonia
The soft colors of another day gone  (Sissia Intersection)
At 6:36 pm: Roadside, over Sissia Monastery, looking to the left, everything is in its right place—the shrine, the moon, the clouds, the purples, the reds, the gold...
(photo above)