Wind, rain and dark skies have settled in, arriving at the tail end of a beautiful display of flaming foliage in the countryside. I’m searching for the silver lining — while monitoring storm water and the erosion control practices on my woodlot.
Photos by NB Hunter. All Rights Reserved.
The maple-dominated woodlands of Central New York have been beautiful this week! Sugar Maple and associated deciduous trees are presenting their true colors in a flaming palette of warm and vibrant colors.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L. M. Montgomery
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
This past week saw the rapid expansion and growth of Sugar Maple foliage,
The fading of some early spring wildflowers,
Marsh Marigold
And the fresh blooms of new arrivals in the sequence of bloom,
Painted Trillium, the last of the 3 native trilliums to bloom
Wild Apple tree
Plants within a species don’t bloom simultaneously, an adaptation that helps avoid catastrophic losses due to environmental extremes. There is a frost warning for tonight, but only 10 – 20% of the wild apple trees have started to bloom. Hoping we get through this with plenty of blossoms …and apples… to enjoy!
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
In my last post I indicated that our colorful sugar maple foliage had peaked and would quickly succumb to wind and rain, possibly some wet snow. I was wrong. The foul weather didn’t arrive, and this week was more spectacular than last! This is why I don’t like the term ‘peak foliage color”. Autumn presents a continuum of changes in the landscape, subject to all sorts of environmental variables. It is a dynamic that is best left uncategorized.
Farms and woodlots, with dominant Sugar Maple in the distance; 10/23/15
I was on the road early (10/23/2015), excited about the bright morning glow and clear skies. The target was Sugar Maple – I wanted another shot at it and was panning for landscape gold!
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
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