Mixed Signals—Fall or Spring?

Kinda Late—Most every tree in our yard, actually in the whole shoreline area, has dropped its leaves by now. There are oaks, which tend to hang onto their big, ugly brown leaves well into December and January, but this maple, still holding on to its bright yellow and gold leaves is an oddity. You can see how full and colorful this tree is, and you can also see the bare branches of the surrounding trees. The combination of yellow and blue is really striking; it reminds me of my summer sunflowers reaching high into the sky. As usual, click on the images to see them larger and in more detail.

Kinda Early—Though it's mid November we had a high of 65° today, the sun was bright all day long, and the sky was a deep, clear blue. Walking around the yard, I was quite surprised to find a spring-blooming Azalea with a fresh blossom. Azaleas set their buds in the fall for the next year, which is why if they need pruning you cut them back right after they've flowered, never in the fall. The combination of relatively warm weather, and only one night so far with a true frost, must have confused this particular bud. You can see other tightly-wrapped buds in the upper left corner.