Monday, October 8, 2012

It's Okay They Are Wrong

As the Autumnal Equinox approached, there were a number of predictions on just how much color we would see with the trees this year. I live close to the Morton Arboretum and there wasn't a day that went by from September 16th to the 21st where an arborist wasn't quoted regarding fall colors. The weathermen were consulted and probably a few tea leaves checked. It all came down to "this has been a rough summer for trees due to the drought". We were warned not to expect the colors usually seen in fall. "It's going to be mostly yellows, golds and a few oranges. The browns will come a little later." Well, that does make sense.

I don't know about your area, but this prognostication has been wrong in the most spectacular of ways. Witness the maple across the street from me.


I think every color possible in a maple is on this tree. The leaves now are a brilliant flame red. It started to the right and has completely overtaken the whole tree.

On the drive to get pumpkins, there was this tree...

and these two.

When the sun hits them, the colors just explode. This is hardly the yellows and oranges we were told to prepare for. I think I've seen more red this year, fire engine red, than I remember in years past. I'm sure it has something to do with the drought. Even the bushes have more vibrant colors than I remember.




These colors make it one of the more spectacular falls that I can remember. The golds are gold. The yellows are deep yellow. The whole effect is phenomenal. It makes one sad to realize this is but a fleeting moment and these colors aren't going to hang around for more than a few weeks.

Usually with prognostications, you want the experts to be right. After all, they spend their careers studying these things, they should know what they are talking about. This is one time they got it wrong and I'm not complaining.

Beverage:  Dr Pepper

Deb

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