Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

© Shaun Cunningham/Alamy Stock Phot

It's carving time. Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia

As autumn blankets the landscape in amber hues and the chill of Halloween approaches, the time-honoured tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns comes to life. In Canada, as Irish immigrants settled, abundant pumpkins became the ideal substitutes for the turnips and potatoes they had previously used to create lanterns. By hollowing out pumpkins and lighting them with candles, they transformed the gourds into flickering defences against evil spirits.

The image of a pumpkin field in Victoria, British Columbia, seen today, captures the essence of this season. Every year, from late September to October, the fields of Quebec and the farms of British Columbia are full of this orange fruit. Visitors often flock to these fields for the quintessential pumpkin-picking experience. These gourds become canvases for masterpieces, with ghoulish and whimsical displays adorning porches to welcome trick-or-treaters. As people gather to scoop, carve and light their pumpkins, they participate in a shared ritual that transcends cultures. Beyond their role as porch decorations, pumpkins fill pies and spice up lattes, adding an element to the season that many anticipate all year long. Once merely a fruit, the pumpkin now enjoys a revered place in Halloween celebrations.