Falling Leaves

Fall, is the season before winter, and is the only one of the four to have two names--fall and autumn.  Many commentators say that in the English speaking world most persons, up until the late 18th century at least, only recognized the seasons as summer and winter.  The season we know as fall was first known as harvest.  Autumn is an English version of a French word that likely not only had its origins in Latin, but also in Etruscan.  Fall likely got its name from what happens to leaves this time of year.  While the English may have chosen not to discuss much about spring and fall (autumn) until the late 18th century, famed Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi had already written the work for which he is most famous--"The Four Seasons." This work was written about 1723.  Vivaldi obviously wanted to recognize the four seasons.

Autumn Purple Ash, Oct 1, 2013

Many people like fall, not for having to rake leaves, but for the cooler temperatures, and sometimes brisk days.  One can enjoy a hot beverage, or comfort foods such as soup and chili and let them do what they do best--warm you up inside.  Of course, every year sees its variety of weather, and this year the wet and cloudy days did not for fall color viewing make.  On October 20 my wife and I took our first excursion to New Glarus Woods State Park hoping to see what we may of the fall colors.  But, we were too late as the colors were well past their peak.  The weekend prior to October 20 was dull and gray, and it was during the intermediate week that the wind and rain took their toll on many trees.

Autumn Purple Ash, Oct. 1, 2016

Last week Friday (October 28), my wife and I both took off work to celebrate our anniversary which was on Thursday.  We of course did what most couples would do on their anniversary--we took a hike. This hike was undertaken at Lapham Peak unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.  The area is full of hiking trails, and the Ice Age trail runs through the park.  The fall colors at this location were also past peak, but not to the same degree as at New Glarus Woods five days earlier. The park also contains the highest point in Waukesha County--Lapham Peak, which had been known as Government Hill, until renamed by initiative of the Waukesha County Historical Society to recognize the efforts of famed UW Scientist Increase Lapham.  At this location his efforts mainly focused on weather forecasting.  One wonders what Increase would make of the climate and change Wisconsin and world face today.

Neighbor's street tree looking as viewed from the south

Nature, like weather, is variable.  Some trees are now just at their peak, and a maple in our yard has yet to show signs of turning.  Unfortunately, this maple lacks any of the expressive red and yellows of the street tree in our neighbor's yard.  Saturday, October 29, was a nice warm day but as the wind picked up over the course of the day this maple street tree was losing its leaves at an abundant rate.  Later in the afternoon the brisk breeze was on its last legs and the neighbor on whose property the tree sits started to rack up the leaves, even though many more have yet to fall.  With Wisconsin weather, one never knows what the next day will bring, so perhaps she thought it best to do what she could.  Her young toddler son was enjoying an activity that most kids enjoy--playing in the leaf pile.  Even as an adult leaf piles can be fun to jump into.  As I was outside, the youngest son of the neighbors on the other side of us started running over to the house with the maple.  After yelling, Hi Tom!, he was off with arms wide open.  The toddler got out of the leaf pile and was toddling toward him with arms wide open as well, but the older boy just kept going and jumped  into the leaf pile.  I thought they were to give each other a hug, and the toddler's mom, by the comment given, thought the same.  The leaf pile was too much of a distraction.  After all, we are talking about boys, for who a leaf pile will not remain a leaf pile for long. (I did not notice the toddler's six year old sister playing in the leaf pile.)  I know this from past experience.  The joy of the child is just another work activity for the adult, but on a nice day like last Saturday raking is accomplished with a measure of love.    Leaves and love perhaps an odd combination, but it is a way to enjoy the season as is a warm cup of hot cider.

Neighbor's street as viewed from north

What is also interesting about the maple tree in that one neighbor's yard is that the leaves facing northerly tended to appear more yellow than red, while the leaves facing southerly tended to be appear more red.  Photos do not justice do to what the eye can see, but perhaps the color change is also related in part to the sun received.  My own autumn purple ash, saw an abrupt end to its color extravaganza, and the cloudy, rainy days this fall left little to be enjoyed by its unique color so different than most of the earth tone colors of the leaves of other neighboring trees.  The autumn purple ash and Increase Lapham have at least one thing in common--do you know what it is?

Lapham Peak, Oct. 28, 2016

As I was viewing the tree canopy at Lapham Peak from the 45 foot observation tower which sits atop the glacial knoll, I could look over all the tree tops.  One child could not help but keep saying "I can see for miles."  The joys of a young child of this sight may only be surpassed by his ability to jump in a leaf pile.  If the day was less hazy the miles would have increased.  What struck me as I looked across the forest of deciduous and evergreens, was that I was looking at nature's carpet.  A thick plush carpet that will soon be all gone as the lability of fall is overtaken by the cold dark days of winter.  Fall certainly matches its name, but this year the colors, likely due to the cloudy, damp, and varied temperatures lacked the vibrancy of past years.