We drove from Grande Prairie to Fort McMurray earlier this week and back again yesterday. On the way, the majority of the trees had their fall coloured leaves. By the time we came back, four days later, some of those leaves had fallen to the ground especially closer to the eastern side of the province.
Last night temperatures went below freezing to -4 and today many of the leaves are falling slowly to the ground. There was enough fresh leaves for me to want to lie on the ground and take a selfie.
Most of our trees, and most of the trees along our drive, have yellow leaves in the fall. Our poplar and aspen trees turn yellow early and most leaves stay bright yellow till they fall and even after when they are on the ground.
There are in fact, if you look hard enough and focus on the lower shrubs and bushes, a pleasant array of oranges, yellows and reds.
These are the leaves from our Amur Maple bushes lining the outer east side of our garden. The middle one I picked a week ago and flattened under a book.
Saskatoon leaves start off bright yellow but change to a dusky orange before falling to the ground. The right one was orange but after a week of drying has turned quite brown.
Some other trees have yellow leaves as well. From left to right willow, Cherry, and Haskaps.
Some of the nicer leaves have red in them. On the top there are cranberry and wild raspberry leaves. Bottom left a fresh and dried Dogwood leaf. Bottom right a fresh and dried pear leaf.
The most beautiful leaves on our property are from the wild roses. Each leaf is coloured slightly different with a mix of red, orange and yellow.
The wild rose plants are everywhere in the tree line and in some spots it is like walking through fire.
This year we have been blessed with leaves on the trees for longer. I almost prefer early snow once the leaves have fallen because everything looks so bland after all this colour. I might get my wish as there is snow in the forecast for next weekend.