A Red Year

Day 6: Western Washington doesn't have much to recommend it as a "leaf-peeping" site, certainly nothing to compare to the broad hillsides of the east coast which seem to be aflame at this time of year, but we do have Vine Maple (Acer circinatum). This shrub grows to approximately 15 feet in height, springing from the ground in a tangle of skinny, braided trunks. Its decaying leaves often provide perfect conditions for the incubation of several varieties of tasty mushrooms...but that's a story I'll leave for a later entry.

Vine Maple does not always turn so vividly scarlet (congratulate me...I suppressed the urge to say "vividly vermillion"). In fact, it looked for all the world like 2010 was destined to be a brown year instead of a red one until a hard frost took the paintbrush in its grip. Overnight, the drab leaves changed to gold, and in only a few days had taken on an undeniable blush as cold temperatures pinched their cheeks. Another nip brought them to this full red fury.

Backed here by the dark hues of Douglas fir on a distant hillside, this leaf was photographed from below with the sun behind it. No cosmetic enhancements have been made for Nature, old or young, is beautiful enough.