A bit of a departure from the usual fare today to instead share one of my favorite things: The beauty of nature.

Autumn in here, in earnest. One moment it is storming and pouring down rain; the next the sun comes out.

![0372-Raindrops.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23u6HuxRVYWpqu5xT1FPqSEUcev1q2jC3q6iEYr46Tvq23i2vpr5cmzpiCZEtFmKMgovX.JPG)

The Japanese maples by our driveway are in the height of their *"turning colors,"* which is just a breathtaking display!

True, as above, under dense cloud as well as in bright sun.

![0372-SunBranch.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/243zhvsdhLeGhKVy5J1vpvmZhekfRYeHsYEG65nPqUQADpGZYzPdihPssKyeytgY5D2GU.JPG)

The interesting thing about these trees is that the leaves are anywhere from green to deep red, all at the same time.

![0372-NotReady.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23yd1hmdBoFUpHwGhBPXPVfZa1FVQJ1Kf2P52EnLwLRDi1hWQmox6kv8J6Gg5ZZ1GzsRM.JPG)

Once the rain stops, you have to be *quick,* because the winds dry off the leaves *very* quickly.

![0372-Wet.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23zSDjwtgy8gS8JKaXcbKqY7RKQmaXAF9oc778xQArZQQX6fEioGBPFSRZfiWnDehzoXQ.JPG)

It's difficult to capture the sheer *richness* of the color in a photograph.

![0372-SunDroplets.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23uR7WikMa7c5ie8N4qfussTcMtf3aBbspsfwfT626KR11wryJB1PA3PTC9YZmVWo6FBu.JPG)

Sometimes, the droplets will cling to the edge of the leaf for a while... before falling.

![0372-ThreeDrops.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23s9cC2J3WLGoZBfQBZNsFTcJrbq3NwfxPQKdA1Ck9Au6rakJ8N7vDEKgq6Pz5XLbpU3W.JPG)

Meanwhile, the Big Leaf maples are also dropping their leaves now. When the sun comes out, the leaves already on the ground look like tiny *"flames"* or mountain peaks.

![0372-Backlit.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/EokgShVpLbYNFJFgkLzwt5MzsGsgyUggB4NFPyoojJ8AAr2HDSraKs6rGr3EBuPw2uh.JPG)

I try to capture the images when they are backlit, and you can see their internal structure. There's a whole little world in there!

![0372-RedTips.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23xpGr8gryJYY3fJQeyAkE44hovbMxqJXfvYAdwVxpCkbPnmkWiacK7SYNHmY3ZBKv4AK.JPG)

For me, it's a great reminder that these are *living things,* with their own circulatory systems. We're pretty much *all* made of the same stuff!

If we get in close enough, we can start to make out the individual cells.

![0372-Veins.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/EpxtFQ9F3W4xMc4Eh2T166wbkdiuqajUA5Lf6Qiu9v6pC1VUmEMvvdsJsnQZiUVcjXe.JPG)

The Japanese Maples are my favorite, though, with their richness of color, and variations. 

A couple more storms, and the tree will be back down to bare branches for the winter.

![0372-WetRed.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23xLDWbFJMtb7yMubjYvfNPLgYLpuDTEC4XCBH8LdQ3H232bLHJQmAk8WGcbKUsZpuv9G.JPG)

Is fall *really* my favorite season? 

Well, *all* seasons are my favorite, in some way... there is such magnificence and beauty in nature, and such variety.

Before we know it, we'll get to the next one... this next photo is from a few years back, but I still wanted to add it, as a reminder of what comes next!

![0005-Leaves.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23zGpxexs9QxWGLBtXEwfEVmzKVw3SHmrTccYLp6Z1oy5xiz2hE9AHKHEwrcpK4fK2mny.jpg)

But for now, I shall enjoy the rich colors of fall, while they are here. I hope you enjoyed them, too!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

***How about YOU? Do you have a favorite time of the year? Are there distinct seasons where you live? Do you enjoy looking at the turning of the seasons? Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!***

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