"It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!"                                      Winnie the Pooh, Pooh's Grand Adventure

What else can compare to leaping into a pile of leaves? Launching with reckless abandon, children land with wildly flailing limbs as the leaves cushion and envelop them. Squeals of excitement and laughter signal every leap.

And then it’s time to shake off the leaves and leap again. Watching them is a glorious reminder of childhood when leaves were a joy before raking became a chore.

Fortunately, adulthood brings new joys to the season.  Trees adorn the landscape with rich shades of red, orange, and yellow. Nature’s fireworks create the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities and scenic drives.

The Shot

I spent several days in early October around Grand Marais, Minnesota. The fall colors were near their peak creating a perfect backdrop for photography. While en route to scout a photo location, we crested a hill, and I felt compelled to stop.

A lovely S-curve led my eye into the distance. Passing clouds created alternating bands of light and shadow. After waiting a few minutes, the light playing over the scene seemed right and I pressed the shutter.

Thanks for looking,

Chuck Derus

https://cderus.zenfolio.com/