30 October 2019

The Month of Colors

Bradley Palmer State Park, Massachusetts

October is the month when trees seem to be all in work, preparing for the winter...

It all starts even earlier, says Peter Wohlleben in his book The Hidden Life of TREES. In late summer, the forest is in a strange mood... Exhaustion is setting in, and the trees are waiting for the stressful season to end. They feel just like we do after a busy day at work - ready for a well earned rest... Trees use last warm days to store energy and reserves from leaves. Also, they break down chlorophyll to be stored and reused by the next year's leaves...

As the chlorophyll is pulled out, the leaves change from green to endless shining colors... 
... and the trees are ready for a good winter's sleep...
   ... coloring the world into million blissful breaths...

Bradley Palmer: ... late October... brownish, yellowish... some still green...

Bradley Palmer: ... mallards seem to be enjoying it...

Bradley Palmer: ... disappearing pathways...

Bradley Palmer: ... in leaves...

Bradley Palmer: ... and above... shining...

Bradley Palmer: ... I take a deep breath...

Bradley Palmer: ... she takes off...

Bradley Palmer: ... she observes...

Bradley Palmer: ... conifers have their own way...

Bradley Palmer: ... with soft steps...

Bradley Palmer: ... Ipswich River... mirroring...

Bradley Palmer: ... these crowns...

Bradley Palmer: ... colors...

Bradley Palmer: ... trees are ready for a good winter's sleep...

Bradley Palmer: ... coloring the world into million blissful breaths...