Trees, Mostly ~ A Colourful Ride

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Ash leaves burning in September's flame
Oaks blushing at their own reflection
Aching beauty of rose-red maples

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It's a balmy day, clear and about 60º when I set out. The sun is warm and the breeze nippy - very good riding weather.

Last weekend's frosts have kicked autumn colour into gear. Today I can't even make it onto the street without stopping to take a photo:

The ash in our driveway

All the neighbourhood ash trees have turned bright gold, seemingly overnight. They're hightailing it down the road to November, with walnut and maple hard on their trail.

Out of town, I pass a red oak - still mostly green, but spouting bits of flame:

The woods begin to look burnished as the corn bleaches to a pale champagne:

 Wire fences are draped with scarlet creeper.

Hanging on for dear life

I "heart" lichen:

Who can resist autumn colours mirrored in a still lake? (Not this cyclist.)

(It's such a relief to be taking a short ride today. I can stop and can take as many photos as I like!)

This photo is taken without stopping:

Maples bursting into flame

I turn down a road I haven't ridden all year, to be greeted by an avenue of colour. The bright red sumac gives balance to the mixture:

The road rolls up and down and through warm-scented piney woods. A blackbird flits along the verge, his wings showing yellow underneath. A deer, alarmed at my approach, goes crashing through the underbrush.

I stop to take a photo of a dishevelled thistle.

(This is exactly what my hair looks like when I get out of bed in the morning.)

Tall pines stretching towards the sun:

Just a mile out of town, I turn a corner and see this:

A row of maples so beautiful it hurts.

I get off the bike and take photo after photo.

Looking at the reddest maple is like looking into the heart of fire. Can anything really be that red?

Summer and fall side by side.

One last backward-looking shot at sunlight filtering through the glory of glowing leaves...

...then back on the bike and heading for home.

A beautiful ride, and a fitting farewell to September.

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