Winter scene in Franzensfeste, South Tyrol. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

The first snowfall of this winter arrived a couple of days ago in our backyard. Photo taken from our dining room window. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Leaves on the ground in Brixen, South Tyrol, which looked like spilled treasure to me. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Rowan tree, also known as the mountain ash and its bright treasure of berries. With its yellow-orange leaves, it looks particularly striking at this time of year. Photo taken during a walk last week through Franzensfeste, South Tyrol, on a sunny day with beautiful light. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by…

This wild apple tree in Franzensfeste, South Tyrol, had scores of apples on its leafy branches a month ago but now has just this one last apple still hanging on. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Wondering what this contraption on the roof of a neighbor’s house is, I showed this photo to GPT5 and here is what it said: This is a chimney cowl — a device placed on top of a chimney to improve airflow and prevent downdrafts. The specific type in your photo is a rotating, directional chimney…

ChatGPT confirmed that this is Virginia Creeper and also suggested a caption: “Autumn’s rebellion against the wire.” Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Guess what this is, sitting on a counter in my office. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Just a jet over Franzensfeste, South Tyrol. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Two ceramic swans my wife bought cheaply at a flea market somewhere. They might be tea-light holders. Or something like that. I like them. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Just a leaf I saw lying on the sidewalk. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

At the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport in Munich. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Two types of lichens growing on a bridge in Munich. And a cable of some kind. Oh, GPT5 has identified the cable: “This is a heavy-duty flexible rubber power cable, often used outdoors, on construction sites, for temporary power distribution, stage/event equipment, or industrial settings where durability is important. The 3G2.5 size would typically be…

There were so many of these flying around (and also sitting around, like this one) in Maryland when I was there last month. I don’t remember them at all from when I lived there. GPT5 has identified it as a spotted lanternfly, whatever that is. It was about an inch (2.5 cm) in length. Enjoying…

Is this the longest bench in the world? I haven’t ever seen one longer. I measured it and it is 45 feet long (almost 14 meters) in length. It is next to the Neustift tennis courts in Vahrn, South Tyrol. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

I tried to photograph the graceful flight of this heron but it landed on this seemingly dead tree branch next to the river Eisack in Franzensfeste, South Tyrol, before I could capture it flying. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

A climbing variety of roses intruding into the covered outdoor deck at the Hotel Löwenhof in Vahrn, South Tyrol. According to ChatGPT this variety is called Ballerina. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Self-portrait by reflection in car window. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

In the town square, called the Domplatz, of Brixen, South Tyrol. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.

Border between road and sidewalk in Franzensfeste, South Tyrol, with some tenacious weeds. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.