Fall Colors

The hot, dry summer seemed to bleach out the vibrant greens of the deciduous (trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves). I am happy to report that the brutal weather did not do too much damage to the trees although some had quite a few leaves fall before they were able to change colors.
The startling reds of the vine maple glow on the hillside with the bright yellows of the  young maple trees punctuate that glow. The lighter yellows are wild cherry and willow. The oranges will begin in the next week or so from the large leaf maples if they did not dry out too much during the summer.
Once the leaves have fallen to cover the ground, and the fall rains begin, this hillside will use the fallen leaves to nurture new growth of grass and herbs that will turn the area rich green before winter sets in.