Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

© Shaun Cunningham/Alam

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

As fall covers the landscape with amber hues and the chill of Halloween approaches, it's time to start carving some spooky jack-o'-lanterns. Originally from Ireland and Scotland, this craft was brought to America by immigrants who initially made lanterns from turnips and potatoes but later found pumpkins more plentiful and easier to carve. Once hollowed out and lit with candles, the gourds were transformed into flickering defenses against evil spirits.

Today's image shows a pumpkin field outside of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, full of blank canvases awaiting their ghoulish and whimsical creations. As people gather to scoop, carve, and light their pumpkins, they take part in a ritual passed down through generations. As well as gracing porches to welcome trick-or-treaters, pumpkins fill pies and spice up lattes, adding a tasty element to the season that many anticipate all year long. Once merely a fruit, the pumpkin now enjoys a revered place in Halloween celebrations.