Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

© Shaun Cunningham/Alamy Stock Phot

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

As autumn covers the landscape with amber hues and the chill of Halloween approaches, the time-honoured tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns comes to life. Originally from Ireland and Scotland, this craft was taken to America by immigrants who initially used turnips and potatoes to create lanterns, but later found pumpkins more plentiful and easier to carve. By hollowing out pumpkins and lighting them with candles, they transformed the gourds into flickering defences against evil spirits.

Today's image shows a pumpkin field in Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Across the United Kingdom, from the sprawling fields of Lincolnshire in England to West Glamorgan in Wales , farms are full of this orange fruit. They become canvases for masterpieces, with ghoulish and whimsical displays gracing porches to welcome trick-or-treaters. As people gather to scoop, carve and light their pumpkins, they take part in a shared ritual that transcends cultures. Beyond their porch-light duties, 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.