Just A Hint Of Fall Around The Edges

Every year at the end of September, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources starts sending out the annual Color Watch Report. They divide the state into sections and give an update on what trees are changing color, what colors you might see, and how far into the autumn change they are. I'm sure from these photos you can tell what color Southern Iowa is right now - green!

If you look very closely at these photos from around our house, you can clearly see multiple shades of green. Our area has apparently forgotten that fall is here and it's supposed to be morphing into beautiful hues of yellow, orange, and red. They missed the memo because of the differing amounts of rainfall over the past few weeks, and now they're going to have to play catchup in a big way.

From ground level on our property, you can just begin to see a few hints of fall around the edges. One tree went yellow last week and has already dropped most of its leaves. We're not speaking to him any more. But this tree, my favorite tree, has these lovely laces of yellow running through it very randomly.

Right on the curve of the driveway, this large tree has a spattering of color across it - but it's the only one in that whole section that does! It makes it look like it a rash and the other trees don't want to catch it. Maybe fall colors are contagious and it will spread down the driveway like the measles...

Even the bushes are trying to get in on the deal. These few are right along the wildflower prairie, and they're trying so hard to turn yellow. I feel like we should march right out there, cheer them on, and wait for the colors to pop! Or we can patiently watch, keep checking the IDNR color reports, and run out with the camera every few hours. Which one sounds like a better way to spend the next few autumn months? I vote for pom poms.