We’ve lived most of our married life in either Upstate New York or New England – two of the première areas for Autumn “leaf-peeping.” We love our Autumn leaves.
In the Winter, only the last vestiges of leaves remain. Oak trees may hang on to theirs all winter, but they’re tired and have lost their youthful colors.
In the Spring, the tender new leaves are a paler, fresher green awating long days of photosynthesis bathing in the sun.
By mid-Summer, the woods are dense with lush, dark green leaves. The forest floor is barely visible as foliage covers everything. Birds and squirrels hide safely in the branches. Life is in full swing.
So, we come full circle.
Eventually, the days start getting shorter, the nights get longer and cooler, and these signals tell the plants it’s time to prepare for winter hibernation. Sap slows, and leaves change colors, dry, and fall from their branches.
Autumn colors are nature’s last gasp before the pale shades of winter drop over our little corner of the world. And in New England, nature has a blast.
[Click on individual photos to see the images full-size.]
I love the Fall – I’ve always been an Autumn girl. I’m not sure why, but for me Autumn is more about the promise of a new beginning than the ending of something. I know some people see that differently, and feel that Autumn is the beginning of the end. Sitting here in what some would call the Autumn of my life, I can tell you I still see so much ahead, and I want to celebrate that, along with the vibrant foliage.
Perspective is everything.
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This post was written in response to a Travel Theme challenge from Ailsa at wheresmybackpack. This week’s theme is Foliage. To learn more about the challenge and see the leafy posts from other bloggers, click here.
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Other nice renditions of Autumn Leaves, also found on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2s2tPORlW4&feature=related (Edith Piaf sings Autumn Leaves in English and the original French!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ0cPnOilHs&feature=related (Natalie Cole)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnAD_KULFBo&feature=related (Diana Krall)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMN3uk7zeBA&feature=related (Frank Sinatra)
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I enjoy the leaves had changed colour due autumn arrives, fantastic !
Indeed, fabulous photos
Thanks so much!
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Just love you…I´m following.
Oh, what a lovely comment! I always enjoy your photos!
Just bursting with the magical colors of Autumn. You are blessed to see all these. Thanks for sharing.
You’re so welcome – glad you enjoyed them!
Yes, perspective is everything! How true that before the turmoil (Winter) comes the beauty followed by mroe beauty after the turmoil (Spring). A metaphor for life.
i, too, am an Autumn girl
beautiful photos!
Why thank you – nice to find a kindred spirit!
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Ah, glorious, TRS, and that clip from Nat King Cole is perfect!
Thanks, Ailsa – that version of the song seemed to fit the post best, but the Edith Piaf version (in French and English) noted in the footnotes may actually be my favorite!
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Such a beautiful post, such care and thoughtfulness in putting these photographs together alongside the video clips. Thanks for this.
Thanks for your comment and visit, Myra!
love the colors!
Thanks!
Happy autumn! It is the most beautiful time of year. Unfortunately, this week will probably be our “peak leave” time and we’ll be traveling to California. Go figure…
Hopefully you’ll still have some pretty colors next week! Enjoy your trip!
Beautiful photos!!
Thank you!
Beautiful fall! We have nothing like that here on the coast.
It’s fleeting, but nice! Glad we can share it with you!
Gorgeous shots! Then, the Nat King Cole’s Autumn Leaves… PERFECT!
Thanks, Amy – it’s not an upbeat song, but it is lovely – if you get a chance, listen to the Edith Piaf version in my footnotes. It’s very cool!
How could you not love autumn, living in such a beautiful part of the country?
Lovely photos, and such brilliant colours. I’m very envious, but do enjoy. 
Thanks, AD. It’s always great to hear from you!
Beautiful photos – I’ll have to go back through my shots from Michigan last year when I was there at this time. How lovely!
Thank you – when the leaves are putting on a show, it’s hard to take a bad picture!
I love Fall! It is my favorite season. On the top of my blog, the banner is a fall photo that I leave there full-time (it is the street around the block from my house).
I love that picture! Not sure why Autumn grabs me the way it does – brisk breezes, the start of a new school year for kids, the warm colors, the feeling that change is in the air?
Ahh, beautiful, brings back memories of 1990 when I passed through New England on a Greyhound bus, longing to get off to take photos
This is certainly the place, if you love Autumn!!
Autumn is truly wonderful isn’t it!
It is!
Beautiful shots…
Thanks for the visit and kind comment!!
How wonderful!
Thanks, Marianne!
Lovely!
Thanks!
You’ve made me quite jealous. I’m in Miami. Need I say more….
Thanks – I felt the same way when we lived in California for a while!