One of the stranger sights  was the glow of lights behind the Albert Monument, like a scene from a science-fiction film. These were laser tests ahead of the firework display at Dalton Barracks.

November began mild, but by the end of the first week most deciduous trees had already shed their leaves, helped along by shorter days, wind and rain. Some trees were bare, some had a few leaves left.

The oaks however held onto their foliage  right up to the end of November, after several frosts.

There were several frosty mornings after the middle of the month.

Frost outlines tiny plants that grow in the grass, making them and the grass more distinct.

This seat faces the sun rise whether or not anybody is there to enjoy it.

A mini-tractor made its early-morning rounds emptying bins, leaving tracks in the frost.

The low winter sun casts long shadows from the Albert Monument and the trees.

After a frosty night, there is often a sunny day. Albert Park is a popular walk all year round. The November sun attracts not just the dog walkers and joggers, but walkers without dogs making the most of the semicircle of paths.

With the branches bare, birds were easier to spot as they sang or flitted from tree to tree.
Bright holly berries and the red cups of yews also stand out after other colours fade.

Throughout October, Albert Park has been bright with autumn colour, to the delight of walkers, dog owners, and photographers.

The Albert Monument stands amid the seasonal transformation, framed by trees turning yellow and gold.

A motorised leaf collector has been busy keeping the ground clear of leaves. The leaves are taken back to the compound and composted.

Many trees reached their most vivid colours in mid-October. The tulip tree (above) and the pocket handkerchief tree were among the first to turn and shed their leaves,

followed closely by the golden rain tree.

By the end of the month, the limes were yellow, and the beeches were turning gold and bronze.

The video above shows the steady fall of leaves from the large fenced-in beech tree.

Mushrooms and toadstools have been springing up across the park — some fairly solitary,

others gathered in wide spreads or tight clusters.

Late blooms still hold on: cyclamen in one place, a second flowering on some Mexican orange blossoms, and daisies at various edges.

I didn’t get many animal pictures this month, apart from squirrels.

Well into September and there was still a buzzing of bees – not round colourful blooms, but round the aromatic yellow-green flowers of ivy. These turn into black berries.

Looking up into one tree I saw dark eyes and a hooked beak. When I raised the camera I caught only the blur of a bird – a buzzard, which is sometimes seen perched on Trinity Church too.

Virginia creeper leaves have turned deep red, clambering over the walls and hedges near the main entrance. St Michael’s Church can be seen behind.

During the summer I hardly saw a squirrel, but now autumn is here they are back in numbers, often carrying nuts in their mouths.

Most of the conkers fell earlier in the month, but here are a couple of ripening shells with the nut emerging and ready to drop.

There are usually several dogs walking in the park. This one had found an abandoned ball and was coaxing its owner to kick it so he could chase.

The gate at the top end of the park has curling ironwork. ‘C’ on an ‘H’ – standing for Christ’s Hospital, the charity that runs the park.

The Ginkgo tree, which had been slowly yellowing through the summer, now glows golden – ahead of most of the other trees. I expect to see more Autumn colours in October.

The last day of August brought a mix of sunshine and showers, marking the end of a month that began dry and finished with rain. This Rowan with leaves turning yellow and brown, and berries, shows autumn’s on the way.

Flowers were scarce in August. Only in the last couple of days has the first autumn crocus appeared.

Nuts are plentiful this year, and acorns have been falling from the oak trees since early August.

A squirrel climbs here among the beech leaves to gather beech masts – though one wonders whether the harvest has arrived too early to last through autumn and winter.

Other trees display their seeds. The wonderfully twisted Golden Rain tree next to the Albert Monument is covered with bladdery seed pods.

Among the newly planted trees, a young Dawn Redwood, dedicated to a former park keeper, is struggling; its browned leaves stand in contrast to the other more healthy newly planted trees.

The Bowls Club has been active throughout the summer. The green is so fine – like felt on a snooker table.

A rainbow appeared yesterday, seen here from the park looking out toward Trinity Church.

Here is a sunrise with pink clouds showing one of the park’s broad paths and the many trees.

As evening came, crows gathered near the tops of the tall fir trees, cawing loudly to announce their arrival at their roosts.