Fall finale

​This fall seemed to be less pop and more plop.

​In my stomping grounds the trees seemed to drop their leaves rather than show their colors.

When Facebook showed me my memories, it appeared as though last fall was more colorful.

This year's fall display was kind of like a really long fireworks show. Earlier it was just one burst of color here and there for weeks on end.

However, recently it seemed like we had reached the finale with brilliant colorful displays in different places.

Some of my observations were repeated in the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
​
Resources Bureau of Forestry fall foliage report for Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.

"The manager in Cornplanter State Forest District (Warren, Erie, Crawford counties) reported that peak color has passed in most of the area," the report stated.

It continued by stating that "most of the hillsides in northwestern Pennsylvania have transitioned to the deeper fall colors of gold, brown, and chestnut. Recent rains have caused some leaves to fall but there is still much color to be seen throughout the region."

The post stated that the service forester for Venango and Clarion counties reported that recent heavy rains and dropping temperatures kicked fall color into “full gear.”

"The best time to view fall color is now and may only last through the early part of the forecast period.

Oaks are showing nicely with deep burgundies, rich browns, and dark golds.

​Maples, birches, hickories, and sassafras are either at their peak or have already dropped leaves."

As I traveled back and forth to work, I saw what the foresters were talking about.

On the one sunny day we had, I took my camera with me on the way to work. (We probably had more than one sunny day, but it seemed as though we didn't have many.)

I had viewed the colorful scenery as I rushed to my job. I resolved that I wasn't going to pass them by anymore. I left early and was able to capture the beauty of the moment.

Along Old State and Tippery roads there were lovely collages of farms, field and trees.

A burning bush or rather a really colorful maple was really outstanding in a cornfield along Tippery Road.

However back around my stomping grounds, I am just stomping on a lot of fallen leaves.

​The maple in the front yard has dropped most of its leaves and it's brilliant yellow display wasn't as stunning as it had been in falls past.

Nonetheless, those that had already lost their leaves left the light in so that those with color could still show off.

In the report the DCNR said that Mercer County service forester reported peak color this past week. "Maples are vibrant yellow and orange, with some red mixing in.  ...  With the coming rain, great color is not expected to last much longer," it stated.  

I agreed with that statement. I definitely felt that this was certainly fall's finale. That's just the nature of things 'round here.

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