The leaves are falling, and it is still pretty.  This is our road as we started out for our walk.

 

The weather is holding, but the trees are losing their leaves fast.  I will show as many as I can before they are all bare.  Of course, I will  pick out the best ones.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

This is fall in the mountains.  It was mostly green just a week ago, and now it is golden!!!  

 

In a couple more days the leaves will fall, and then we will move into winter.  

 

But for now, the temperature is still in the 70's during the day, so we are happy.  

 

HAPPY FALL!!

 

 

 

 

 

I have always known this shrub as Elaeagnus pungens, but it is also called Thorny Olive and Oleaster.  It is easily recognizable in October, because of its sweet clove smell, (hence the pungens part.)  That's how I found this one, I smelled it from 25 feet away.  So I went looking for it.

 

I found this huge bush and took this close up picture, not even thinking about its overall appearance.  It was about 12 feet tall and as wide, and the branches coming out of the top were long and arching.  It was huge!!!

 

You may have seen them in medians on the highway.  There used to be some on the interstate from Hampton to Williamsburg VA, but I think they may have been taken out to put in more highway lanes.  I can remember how wonderful it was to roll down the windows and breathe the air.  They went on for about a mile.  I think there are some in Kennesaw, too, on the exit ramps.  I will check next time we go there.  

 

I hope you notice their sweet smell, and then go looking for a big bush with silvery leaves, and little creamy white flowers.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

I loved seeing this dogwood tree blazing red.  Up close it also has red berries to feed the birds this winter.  

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

I couldn't help taking this close up picture of a red oak.  The leaves are showing exactly what that Wikipedia article told us.  The green is diminishing, and the red is taking over.  

 

I love this tree.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

Last week we saw this beautiful Norway Maple changing color.  The picture doesn't do it justice, though.  As you come down the road, the sun glints off these yellow, orange, and red leaves, setting the tree on fire.  It is truly a sight.  

 

I hope you have some Norway Maples in your daily path.  They have 5-8 inch leaves, all changing colors.  Gorgeous!!

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

 

 

This is what we see as we round the last uphill bend on the loop.  Each tree is showing its fall color.

 

We have determined that as the days get shorter and temperatures fall, leaves slow their production of chlorophyll, allowing the other colors to show through, until the leaves fall off.  Of course, there is more to the story, but this is my simple scientific explanation of autumn. 

 

Or you can go to Fall color explained  and read about it for yourself.  It is very interesting.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

The tree isn't new;  just new to us.  We just discovered this persimmon tree a few days ago on our loop walk.  

 

The green four-lobed leaves in the picture are from a nearby tulip poplar;  the persimmon leaves are the yellow and brown ones.  There are no persimmons on the ground yet, but they certainly look ripe enough to start falling.  

 

And when they do, we will be happy hikers.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

Don't you just love blue sky pictures?  Me too.  Especially blue skies with autumn colors.

 

It's happening just like it does every year.  First we see a little color, then it seems like nothing's happening.  Then BOOM!!!!  It all happens at once.  It looks like that is what's going on now.  The oaks and the maples are starting to color up.  The hickories are doing it too, and the black gum trees and sourwoods are holding onto their beautiful colors, making our world so pretty!!

 

 

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!!

 

 

 

See what I mean about the trees changing color from the top down?   This Bradford Pear is purple at the top and still green all the way down.

 

You can also see a lot of green for late October.  I will keep looking...

 

STILL, HAPPY FALL!!!