The Blind Thistle

The trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine-and-fifty swans.

W.B. Yates

As of September 22, 2021 another Fall season has arrived. And what a season it has been so far! The past few years here in South-Central Ontario have been rather muted in comparison to this year. The right combination of warm days, cool nights and lots of rain has brought forth so many yellows, oranges and reds that make it a photographers dream.

In between the rainy, monsoon like days we’ve had a few glorious days of sunshine so my friends and I have been taking advantage of those warmer days to get a few hikes and long bike rides in. The winding, tree lined country roads and abundant forested trails are a fall obsessed girls dream. The scenery does not disappoint and I often find myself stopping in pure amazement to observe one gorgeous scene after another.

I just love the quality of light this time of year. It is dramatic and filers through the trees creating intricate patterns on the roads below. For many photographers the term “Golden hour” has never been more applicable than it is during the early fall season.

The dominant earthy smells of fall are largely the product of plants hunkering down for the winter. Fallen leaves begin to decay and their sugars and organic compounds in the leaf break down, creating the classic musky-sweet smell of a leaf pile. 

CBC news article

It is, for me, a season of the senses. The gentle rustling of the leaves as a breeze passes through, then the slow dance of leaves gently falling to the ground and all the colours mingling together in a pile of earthy smells. Damn – if someone could bottle that scent I’d be all over it!

I think it would safe to assume that anyone could find me ‘lost’ in the woods this time of year.

In addition to the changing leaves, this is also a season that is abundant with fungi. So many shapes, sizes and hiding spots makes for a fascinating time spent on the forest floor. I have a new post full of photos coming shortly on that topic. So, until then, Happy Fall Y’all!