Chasing the Fall Colors in Ohio

This has been a really strange fall here in central Ohio at least weather-wise. There are a couple of factors that contribute to the fall color change. Those are temperature and moisture. According to the experts, the biggest factor is temperature. The chemical changes that occur in leaves to give us the magnificent fall colors are brought on by warm days and cool but not freezing nights. That is not what what happened this year. Both day and nighttime temperatures in October were almost 20 degrees F above normal so a lot of the leaves just dried up and fell off. This was not a good fall color year. A lot of the rich colors did not manifest until November if at all.

However, good colors, as they always do, appeared in pockets so they could be found with a bit more perseverance and travel. The richest colors happen close to lakes and streams so that is the place to go.

This one was captured at Lake Falling Rock in northern Licking County on November the 4th. It was a nice cold frosty morning. There were a few bright yellow leaves remaining but about 80% of the trees were bare. Actually, I think all of the images taken this year were in November.

November 8th at Dawes Arboretum. Fall color at Dawes was actually pretty good. I wish I could have spent some more time there.

Infirmary Mound Park, Licking County on November the 3rd. This was mostly a dark dreary day but the last hour of sunlight turned out to be spectacular! I just had a few minutes to get a few shots. The sun was hitting this yellow tree and it lasted for just about a minute. I really needed more time.

The fall colors were very so-so this year but just being out hiking and exploring is so wonderful! It's all good.

#FallColors