Autumn collage

Of all the seasons observed here in Pennsylvania, autumn is most likely my favorite.

​I love the pops of color that are displayed in place of the green leaves.

I especially adore the shapes of the colored leaves against water.

​Whether it is reflection in the neighbor's pond or just some leaves covering the surface of a small stream, the images are some of my favorite subjects.

I also adore the "normal" fall temperatures.

However, this latest run of toasty weather has been a little too warm and humid for my taste.

​I made my objections to Mother Nature and she hasn't responded to my complaints yet.

I'm not the only one who likes the fall season.

​The following are a collection of quotes gleaned from the internet.

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale." - Lauren Destefano

"How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days." - John Burroughs

"The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go." - Unknown

"As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see." - Vincent Van Gogh

"Everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." -Elizabeth Lawrence

"Wild is the music of the autumnal winds amongst the faded woods." - William Wordsworth

"Dancing of the autumn leaves on a surface of a lake is a dream we see when we are awake." - Mehmet Murat Ildan

I, like those quoted above, am particularity smitten with the kaleidoscope of colors that autumn offers.

One resource I check yearly is the The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' fall foliage report.

The report for Oct. 7 through 13 stated, "Northern counties continue to progress rapidly to peak foliage after last week’s cold nights.

Expect the above-average temperatures and humidity this week to slow the transition of leaves in much of the commonwealth, however.

​Fall foliage sightseers are advised to travel north of U.S. Route 80 for the best colors in Pennsylvania, currently."

Further down in the report regional foresters weighed in with their observations and photos.

​Some area overlooks and landscapes were featured in those pictures.

Some recent rains have downed a lot of leaves already.

My yellow maple in the front yard has dropped leaves. I'm not sure if it will have a grand display this year.

That will be for Mother Nature and her handle on the weather to decide. She doesn't listen to my suggestions.

That's just the nature of things 'round here.