This is a series of photos I took during a visit to the zoo 2 years ago. The late afternoon sun was creating remarkably sharp shadows on this boulder, perfectly projecting the shadows of the kids and their friends as they playfully threw leaves at each other.
It would appear that I will not get tired of fall leaves or water drops, or especially fall leaves with water drops. Today’s featured leaf had subtle color variations and fascinating patterns. I also like how the leaf’s vein patterns show through the water drops to make some of the water drops look like little brains.
This has been a spectacularly spectacular fall here in Massachusetts. Every day, more stunning trees and gorgeous fallen leaves compete for my attention. Here are a few leaves I saw today that practically begged me to take their photo.
I loved the way these various leaves had arranged themselves on the driveway for a photoshoot.
This perky little guy stretched out in the shrubbery, the better to show off its striking flame colors against the dark green.
Just look at these two sweethearts, nestled together, and showing off their jagged lines and patchwork outfits. (And I can’t be the only one to see the heart shape in the top leaf.)
This elegant pair is showing off the classic New England maple style: deep red with subtle color variation.
And this one? So obviously just showing off. Can one leaf really get away with wearing so many different colors?
This withering grape leaf caught my eye yesterday for its varied coloration and interesting holes. I found the pictures I took to be even more interesting, looking to my eyes like abstract mosaic images made from torn scraps of paper.
Okay, the leaf is not terribly new. It’s clearly been around, and has the scars to show it. But it is a new photo of a leaf, and a new post featuring a leaf.
This seems to have been an especially good year for caterpillars, because I’ve noticed that almost all of the leaves that fall (as well as those still up in the trees) have quite a few holes or other evidence of having been munched. In spite of these flaws, I still find the leaves to be quite beautiful. Many of the holes even add to their character. (This is not the first time I’ve made that observation.)
An orange leaf (or what’s left of it), outlined in red.
This leaf was thoroughly munched before falling to rest on the thick carpet of moss.
The bright orange and red leaves tend to steal the show, but bright green and yellow leaves can still be quite eye-catching. (It was the colors more than the holes that caught my eye with this fellow.)
I like the way the mottled surface and holes of this bright red leaf echo the patterns of the rocks in the asphalt.
This graceful oak leaf has tiny holes spread out over its surface.
The holes in this oak leaf look quite lacy.
After taking this photo a few days after the photo above, I realized that it was almost certainly the same leaf that caught my eye again. (If you mentally flip it over, you can see the same shapes in the holes.) It’s interesting to see how the color of the leaf continued to change after falling on the ground.
I am not the only one who enjoys finding interesting leaves. Also, notice the funny ring of green around a hole in this leaf.
Because I apparently can’t get enough of fall leaves or water droplets, here is an assortment of photos I took with my phone yesterday.
Today is the autumnal equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the official first day of fall. I am going to use this as an excuse to post more photos of leaves. (Though, actually, it’s just multiple photos of the same leaf. But still…)
I was quite taken by the range of colors and patterns that could be seen on the surface of the same leaf.
It had quite a range of textures, too.
And it glowed beautifully when held up to the light.
This was a maple leaf that I found in my mother-in-law’s yard last September. Coincidentally, this was actually September 22nd of last year, which turns out was the autumnal equinox last year.
After yesterday’s dried out and rather monochromatic leaf images, I figured I’d branch out to some more colorful and much less dry leaves.
Periwinkle leaves (and flowers).
English ivy.
Leaves of a blueberry bush.
Hydrangea leaves.
Fallen oak leaves.
Have I mentioned before that I’m a sucker for water drops? Oh, right. Yup.
collecting tokens 