Yesterday, the ground was brown with the dried grass and fallen leaves of winter—unusually warm weather and strong rains had eliminated the snow pack from the last storm. This morning, that ground is covered with 20 cm or 8 in. of snow. How trees have adapted to the climate is fascinating: deciduous trees drop their leaves so not to be damaged by the weight of the snow and hibernate until they create new foliage in the spring; conifers have branches that bend down with the the load, allowing them to keep their foliage year long. Click on the image for a larger view.
Category Archives: Our Forest
Christmas Night, Christmas Lights
Just before midnight on Christmas, Naomi and I went out on the deck to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. The moon was full and, with high-altitude clouds, encircled in a ring of light. Beyond the moon was a field of stars. (Orion can be at four O’clock.) Click on the image for a larger view.
Forest Floor
Our trees have dropped their foliage. The vibrant reds of fall have leached away, leaving a softer palette. Click on the image for a larger view.
First Snow 2015
We woke today to our first snow of this winter. It was about half an inch of a wet, icy crust covering the landscape. Click on the image for a larger view.
Sudden Change
The foliage season can seem very brief in Maine. Last week, there was still a significant number of trees with leaves. Now, the forest is bare with only the conifers retaining any color. Fortunately, the temperatures are still relatively mild and snow will hold off until December. Click on the image for a larger view.
Foggy Morning
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Season’s End
We are moving toward winter. It did not seem that long ago that our field was green and full of life. The golden rod is now dry and brown. Click on the image for a larger view.
Late Autumn 2015
Beach, which never drop their leaves for winter, and oak are the last of the trees with foliage in our forest. Click on the image for a larger view.
Trees, Wind, and Light
The foliage is changing quickly in our forest. Click on the image for a larger view.
Red Maple Spectrum
Inspired by my maple leaves, this images represents the spectrum of the Red Maple tree. These colors can be present at one time throughout the foliage. Click on the image for a larger view.
