For a couple of weeks now the weather has been near perfect here in Portland. In the morning, sunlight trickles through layers of fog that soon melts away to unveil clear blue skies. For most part Clear blue skies and tall green trees interspersed with colorful trees make this place look like a postcard. The pavements have begun to resemble patterned carpets for they are dotted with colored leaves. Oh yes, it is autumn (पतझड़) or fall as it is popularly known here. It is that time of the year when the nature begins her preparation for the cold winter that follows.There is even an old weather proverb that states, "If autumn leaves are slow to fall, prepare for a cold winter". While spring has fresh and tender blossoms to add to its beauty, in autumn, the usually green leaves decide to dabble in color. You have leaves in hues of yellow and gold, foliage in a whole wide palette of pink and red vying for your attention. The beauty of trees resembling bouquets is something that words cannot describe fully.
It is only the deciduous trees that are color crazy, the conifers stay green as you can notice in the second image. Apparently oak leaves turn orange while big leaf maples, birch, ash, aspen and alder turn
yellow. For those who like vibrant red, you can choose between dogwoods that turn burgundy and vine maples and huckleberries that sport the color red. Even the shrubs and bushes sport the colored look. Fall colors are a major tourist attraction too, with some regions pulling in more visitors during this season, after all rich color always presents nice photo-opportunities. Alas nothing lasts for ever and soon all trees will shed their colorful foliage that will decorate the pathways for a few more days. Whenever we take a walk these days, we find a carpet of colored leaves laid down in our path. The air has a leafy scent and as we walk we hear the unmistakeable sound of leaves crumbling. Although late September is when the season of fall begins officially, mid October up-to early November is supposed to offer the best view of fall colors. In a couple of weeks, most trees will wear a barren look making us wait for spring eagerly. Until then it is nature's color-fest all the way.
Click on the photos to see enlarged images.
Ah! What an amazing weather and place! Somebody said, autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower!! I remember the different hues of orange one autumn in Kashmir!! Simply breathtakingly beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteVery well said Shilpa, second spring indeed :)
DeleteThe leaves in the second last pic look very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHere also the transition to winter has begun. of course we cannot boast of such beautiful views :)
Every place has its own unique charm Rahmath, The piping hot delicacies of India is something we miss here, the beaches here don't have chaat corners nor do the viewpoints have garma-garam chai samose :P I really miss them sometimes.
DeleteWith fall, the colors rise :D
ReplyDeleteVery true Amrit, beautifully put :)
DeleteReshma these colorful flowers and leaves are a treat for the eyes and the soul. Simply amazing !
ReplyDeleteOh yes Ushaji, just looking out of the window everyday is a treat:)
DeleteLike the pattern created by the leaves on the footpath.
ReplyDeleteNature is talented isn't she? Thank you for dropping by Haddock :)
DeleteAutumn is certainly the best season. Though we don't have much of it here, but I do remember the falling of the gulmohar flowers, covering the entire footpath with their lovely orange color like a carpet, in Indira nagar 100 ft, road, many years ago when we used to live there.
ReplyDeleteSoon it would be real winter for you. Enjoy this season while it lasts. I remember reading poems on Autumn during my college days.
Happy Deepawali !
Oh yes Autumn is as colorful as spring. It is getting colder, Ican only imagine how cold winter will be...Thank you so much Rama :) Wish you a Happy and safe Deepavali :)
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