Some Hints of Autumn Color are Showing up in Olympia

I'm really not sure I am ready for autumn yet (yes, I know it will happen whether or not I am ready), but I am sure seeing hints of it everywhere all of a sudden.

Trees are starting to show those glowing reds, golds, and oranges on a few leaves or branches.

Fall blooming flowers are joining in with some rich, warm color.

There's a definite nip to the air in the early mornings, though we have had some fantastic, sunny, warm weather once that early chill goes away.

And there are plenty of other indications that it is harvest season now, with all of the autumn fun just around the corner: yummy fresh corn at Farmer's Market with flyers about the upcoming corn mazes; some colorful gourds and pumpkins ripening; and stores with Halloween & fall decorations (if not Christmas stuff already!).

Having grown up in northern Illinois, I spent the first several years in Western Washington wondering when there would be fall color in the trees - or if there even would be. With so many evergreens hanging on to their color year round, it took me a while to tune in to the more subtle seasonal shift that marks the start of autumn here. And oh yes - there is glorious color in the trees in the fall now that I look more carefully.

Here comes autumn - ready or not!