The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
September 26, 2014
I've been hearing about the "colors" happening now in parts of the country where deciduous trees make up most of the forests. Here in the lowland maritime Pacific Northwest, our forests are primarily coniferous...we have few native trees that lose all their leaves in the fall, and we don't get the spectacular display many of you folks are seeing right now. The most common deciduous trees where I live - Alders and Willows - turn a dull yellow and brown before the wind blows the spent leaves into matted masses on the ground.
My favorite native deciduous leaf fall is from the Big-Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum), which we see in the wetter woods hereabouts. The giant leaves themselves are glorious, becoming a colorful subtle palette at this time of year.
Here are a few photos of Maple change in my local forest.
(All photos by me. In Lightbox...click to enlarge)
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A late Daily Bucket, but please contribute your local observations. I would love to vicariously enjoy the "colors" from your neck of the woods!
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